Zortrax announced the premiere of a new version of its photopolymer 3D printer – Zortrax Inkspire 2, which is a significant upgrade compared to the first version of the device from 2017. It has a much larger working area and a number of automated functions, such as a resin wear sensor or closed air circulation. In addition, the manufacturer from Olsztyn presented two proprietary post-processing devices – the Zortrax Cleaning Station for 3D prints and the Zortrax Curing Station for illuminating 3D prints with UV light. The new 3D printer has been adapted to work with high-class engineering resins manufactured by Henkel / Loctite and BASF Forward AM. In combination with the proprietary Z-SUITE and Zortrax inCloud software, i.e. the 3D printing management system in the cloud, this makes Inkspire 2 a very interesting position on the market of resin 3D printers.
The new Zortrax system for 3D printing and post-processing introduces innovative solutions that meet the needs of professional users of this technology. Until now, 3D resin printing has often been associated with the production of prototypes due to the relatively low strength of the models, while the target parts were usually printed from resistant materials using FDM technology. Now, thanks to durable engineered resins that are functional equivalents of the most durable filaments, both prototypes and final models can be successfully printed using only light-curing resins.
Zortrax Inkspire 2 has a working area of 192 x 120 x 280 mm. The proprietary light matrix, developed entirely by Zortrax, ensures even distribution of UV light across the entire build platform, thanks to which users obtain the same quality of prints, regardless of whether the models are placed in the center or on the edges of the platform.
The leading producers of light-curing resins from BASF and Henkel were actively involved in the process of creating the new 3D printer and tested it already at the prototype stage. The 3D printing parameters for each supported resin have undergone detailed validation to confirm that the mechanical and thermal properties obtained in 3D printed elements on Inkspire 2 correspond to those declared by the manufacturer. What’s more, thanks to the high-power light matrix implemented in the machine, users can even 3D print from some resins dedicated to DLP technology.
Inkspire 2 is compatible with the following lines of resins: elastomeric (elastic and pliable), tough (Tough), with increased stiffness (Rigid), high temperature, foundry and basic – building (BASIC).
Most of the processes have been automated in the new 3D printer – the resin level sensor measures the amount needed to 3D print the model – if there is not enough resin in the tank, the 3D printer informs the user about it. Inkspire 2 also has a closed air circulation – HEPA filters, installed in the 3D printer, absorb chemical particles during printing, reducing unpleasant odors. The fumes generated during 3D printing do not escape from the machine through the slots, but are filtered by an advanced filter system.
Along with a 3D printer, users can also purchase an automated post-processing ecosystem. With the help of the Zortrax Cleaning Station, it is possible to remove excess resin from the surface and any gaps in the model, while the Zortrax Curing Station provides the necessary additional curing with UV light after 3D printing from the resin and cleaning the models. Additional UV curing is necessary for most resins to achieve their targeted mechanical properties.
Zortrax Cleaning Station can rinse relatively large models, printed on almost every resin 3D printer on the market. Thanks to a special filtration system, IPA can be safely reused for subsequent cleaning sessions. The industrial grade curing chamber in the Zortrax Curing Station ensures even exposure to UV radiation, reinforced by a rotating table, and ensures that the models are free from any weak spots due to insufficient exposure to UV radiation.
Zortrax Cleaning Station and Zortrax Curing Station, like Inkspire 2, have been validated by global resin producers. BASF Forward AM and Henkel / Loctite post-processed the test 3D prints and then tested them to confirm that they conform to all the properties declared for the resin used. In addition, both devices can work independently of the 3D printer in various technologies, such as UV LCD, DLP and SLA.
Source: Zortrax press materials
