EASYMFG: Groundbreaking Innovations in Inkjet 3D Printing, Enhancing Stability and Product Consistency

PanDen 2024-9-13 23:55 3D Printers

In August 2024, Panda3dp.com has learned that Wuhan EASYMFG(武汉易制科技) announced a series of significant technological breakthroughs aimed at further improving the consistency of binder jetting 3D printing and expanding the range of applicable materials. EASYMFG has been committed to revolutionizing the manufacturing industry.

- To address the issue of ultrafine and lightweight ceramic powders easily dispersing due to droplet impact and subsequently clogging the nozzles, a specialized mechanism has been developed.

- The low bulk density of ceramic powders has been improved by modifying the powder spreading mechanism to increase powder compactness, while simultaneously enhancing the consistency of printed green parts.

- Post-sintering density of titanium alloy (TC4) exceeds 97%, with tensile strength surpassing 1000 MPa and elongation exceeding 8%.

Challenges and Countermeasures for Nozzle Clogging

EASYMFG's research and development team identified nozzle clogging as a common issue in traditional inkjet printing methods. This problem becomes particularly pronounced when dealing with ultrafine and lightweight powder materials, as the impact force generated during the inkjet process often causes the powder to disperse, leading to nozzle blockages. To tackle this challenge, EASYMFG developed a unique processing technique, employing a specialized mechanism that significantly enhances the stability and continuity of the binder jetting 3D printing process.

Enhancing Product Consistency

Compared to the past, customers now demand a higher level of consistency in their products, particularly in mass production, where each part must maintain a high degree of uniformity. To meet this stringent requirement, EASYMFG invested substantial resources in testing and optimizing the inkjet printing system. This resulted in controlling part consistency errors within 1% (in full tank printing). This advancement marks a significant leap forward for industries that rely on precision components in high-end manufacturing.

Application of New Materials

EASYMFG also showcased its latest achievements in the application of new materials, particularly in the use of copper materials for heat dissipation. As electronic devices continue to advance in computational power, heat management has become increasingly critical. Copper, with its excellent thermal conductivity, plays an essential role in the design of components like heat sinks. While many details remain confidential due to commercial interests, the demonstrated cases clearly show that the application of new materials has greatly enhanced the functionality of devices.

Advancements in Polishing Technology

Another notable technological breakthrough by EASYMFG is in polishing techniques. Traditional 3D printing often results in rough surfaces due to the nature of the printing process, which struggles to meet the high standards required by industries such as jewelry. The polishing effect in conventional SLM metal printing has always been less than ideal due to the gradual cooling process affecting the lower surfaces during printing, resulting in a non-dense layer, which compromises polishing quality. By adopting inkjet printing, EASYMFG has achieved excellent uniformity across all layers, resulting in remarkably smooth surfaces that are virtually indistinguishable to the naked eye. This improvement is crucial in elevating the visual quality of products.

Progress in Equipment Design

EASYMFG has consistently focused on developing efficient, reliable, and user-friendly 3D printing equipment. Their design philosophy emphasizes compactness and flexibility, striving to achieve maximum production efficiency within limited space. Additionally, acknowledging the need for continuous operation in actual production environments, EASYMFG has particularly focused on automation and ease of maintenance in their equipment. The flagship product, the M400Pro, boasts a high degree of compactness. Through optimization and reconfiguration of internal structures, EASYMFG successfully reduced the machine's size to a leading industry standard. This design not only saves valuable space but also reduces transportation and installation costs, making the equipment easier to deploy in various settings.

Despite its compact size, the M400Pro printer offers a large build volume, allowing users to produce more parts in a single print cycle. This not only increases output per cycle but also saves time and costs by reducing the number of print batches. Additionally, the larger build volume provides greater flexibility in designing complex parts.

EASYMFG has made significant efforts to automate its equipment. The new printer features a modular design, enabling users to quickly replace the printing platform after each cycle, facilitating continuous production without interruption. This rapid replacement mechanism greatly enhances production efficiency, allowing the machine to complete more tasks in a shorter period.

EASYMFG upholds an open and transparent design philosophy. Not only have they publicly showcased the overall structure of their equipment, but they have also provided detailed guidance on user interface and software support. This openness fosters customer trust and promotes technological exchange and collaboration. By encouraging users to participate in the improvement of their equipment, EASYMFG is driving forward technological progress together.

Self-developed Curing Furnace

Most traditional curing furnaces are adapted from other industrial fields and have not been specifically designed for 3D printing materials. During the curing process, the lack of precise control over temperature and pressure can lead to deformation and stress concentration in printed parts, negatively affecting the final product quality and limiting the application of 3D printing technology in precision manufacturing. Recognizing the shortcomings of existing curing furnaces on the market, EASYMFG decided to develop a specialized curing furnace tailored for 3D printing materials. This furnace has the following notable features:

- Precise temperature control: Equipped with an advanced temperature control system, the furnace can accurately regulate temperature changes during the curing process according to preset programs. It can tailor the optimal temperature curve based on the characteristics of different materials and product requirements, ensuring consistent and reliable curing results.

- Vacuum curing: During the curing process, EASYMFG’s furnace can provide a vacuum environment, reducing the impact of oxygen on materials, preventing oxidation, and helping to eliminate gases generated during curing, thus avoiding the formation of bubbles or voids and improving the density of cured parts.

- Programmable curing process: The furnace incorporates an intelligent control system, allowing users to set various curing parameters such as heating rate, holding time, and cooling rate. This flexibility enables the furnace to accommodate a wide range of material curing requirements, broadening its application scope.

Through a series of technological innovations, EASYMFG has not only strengthened its leadership in the 3D printing field but also provided robust support for the future development of the manufacturing industry. Going forward, EASYMFG will continue to explore new technologies, pushing 3D printing into broader domains.

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