Micro DLP 3D Printing | The Technology House

Micro DLP Printing Process

Micro digital light processing (DLP) utilizes UV light to rapidly photopolymerize layers of resin. This additive manufacturing technology prints parts at a resolution of 1.9 microns and with a layer thickness down to 1 micron. Comparatively, traditional DLP technologies have a resolution between 80 and 100 microns.

Micro DLP Printing Advantages

High-resolution
Lower cost—no need for tooling
Diverse applications
Unparallelled precision

Micro DLP Printing Best Uses

Prototypes
Low-volume production parts
Alternative to traditional manufacturing

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From design to prototype and production, our team of engineers is ready to help bring your idea to life.

Materials for Micro DLP Printing

TTH currently has three proprietary epoxy-based materials, D-810, T-700, and Performance P-900.

D-810 is similar to Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), commonly used in 3D printing. It offers strength and flexibility for structural applications.

Performance P-900 is a ceramic-filled epoxy, which mimics engineered plastic, similar to the material used in injection molding. It is tolerant of high temperature and resistant to excessive wear which make it ideal for demanding applications.

T-700 is a clear non-cytotoxic material similar to a PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) that offers transparency for applications such as microfluidics and medical devices.

Nano Dimension, the creator of the Fabrica Tera 25 micro 3D printer, has many more materials in the development pipeline to accommodate a variety of customers’ needs. Not only is there opportunity within material development on the Fabrica Tera 25, but also surface finishes. TTH has successfully tested metal plating of the D-810 material, which increases the strength and usability of the printed part.

Micro DLP Printing Equipment

TTH uses a micro DLP machine called the Fabrica Tera 25 from Nano Dimension. This micro DLP system is similar to a traditional DLP machine, but with the ability to print at a much smaller resolution, resulting in precise miniature-scale 3D printed parts.

The Fabrica Tera 25 micro DLP machine prints at 1-5 microns, approximately one-tenth the thickness of a human hair. Printing with a layer thickness of 1-5 microns, the Fabrica Tera 25 ensures that both the visual and mechanical qualities of the printed device are extremely precise and highly reliable. Tolerances of +/- 1 micron allow entire assemblies to be printed in one run, removing time and material waste from the assembly process. Its tight tolerances make micro DLP printing ideal for the medical device industry, specifically for microfluidics manufacturing, as channels and holes less than half a millimeter wide can be printed with reliable clearance.

Demand for micro DLP printing equipment continues to grow and its production parts are having positive impacts for applications around the world.

Micro DLP Design & Build Guidelines

Miniature-scale 3D printing is used in a variety of industries such as medical devices, electronics, automotive, aerospace, and defense, with opportunities in other industries on the horizon. Here are some basic guidelines to consider when using micro DLP printing:

Layer Thickness = 1-5 microns
Surface Roughness (RMS) = 0.8 micron
Standard Lead Time = 3-5 days
Tolerances = +/- 1 micron
Build Speed = 1 mm height per hour
Build Volume = 50 mm x 50 mm x 100 mm

What Our Partners Are Saying

I’ve been working with TTH for 20+ years. That spans 2 employers for me. In the case of both employers, I was just one of several of my colleagues that trusted TTH for prototype and production parts. I think that alone speaks volumes. I don’t know anyone that returns to a vendor that lets them down, and when you keep coming back after 20 years, it tells a pretty compelling story.

TTH has always lived up to its name by staying on the leading edge of technology. They were the first to introduce me to SLS parts a couple of decades ago allowing me to perform functional tests with printed parts which enabled us to shorten time to market. Relatively recently, they introduced me to Carbon DLS and printed urethane parts that we ended up using in production, solving some very challenging technical issues and freeing us from the confines of tooled parts. TTH provides more than just prototype and production parts, they provide solutions and a relationship that in my experience has been tremendously beneficial.

-Steve R., Project Engineer, Consumer Products (Small Appliances)

Most of my 30 year career has been spent finding vendors that meet my Cost, Service, and Quality requirements. The number of suppliers that can meet those criteria for a sustainable period of time are few. TTH is one of those companies. The management team at TTH is always willing to work with us to improve efficiency and offer solutions that exceed our expectations. If you are looking for a partner, not just a supplier, the team at TTH will not disappoint.

- Tom C., NPI Materials Leader

Design Without Restriction

See how we partnered with Vitamix and Carbon to redefine what's possible. We took a legacy, six-piece, injection-molded part design and turned it into a new, one-piece, 3D-printed part.

*Note: Design services are provided through The Technology House and not its affiliates. The Technology House does not hold an ISO 13485 certification and is not certified to provide design for medical prototypes or production parts

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Micro DLP 3D Printing Services

Micro DLP Printing