Silicone 3D printing has always been a fascinating technology. However, due to its complexity, it has never been easy to execute on a desktop scale. Until now. Silly Print has developed the world’s first desktop 3D silicone printer, which is set to revolutionize 3D printing and create endless possibilities for the manufacturing industry.
Extruder Design
The extruder design of this 3D silicone printer is unique, and it comes with a heating and cooling mechanism that allows for the control of the temperature of the silicone while it is printing. This heating mechanism ensures that the reaction time of the silicone is precisely controlled, and it doesn’t cure too quickly. This control is possible because the heating mechanism holds the horses of the cross-linking agents, saying, “Don’t cross it, just make it,” and then blasts it with heat so that it can be cured immediately within 20 to 40 seconds after the position.
The extruder design looks similar to the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) hot end, but instead of melting the filament, it turns a liquid into a solid with heat. In other words, it’s the opposite of FFF.
Build Volume
The build plate is 400 by 400 by 300 millimeters, which is quite large, and it allows for the printing of objects up to 30 centimeters tall before the entire cylinder collapses at a diameter of two centimeters. With a 60 milliliter cartridge capacity, this printer can print for up to 18 hours. Moreover, you can pause the print, change the cartridges, and continue from where you left off.
Custom Components
The printer features both custom and off-the-shelf components. Silly Print worked with four engineers, with each working on different aspects of the printer. One of the engineers, Anthony, built the custom circuit that listens to the motherboard from Victory Tech and sends custom G codes and M codes so that everything can work regarding the pump and extruder system. These systems do not exist in normal printers; hence, Silly Print had to create their own technology to make that happen, which is controlled with the normal 3D printing motherboards. The custom circuits serve as a slave circuit to the main motherboard, and it helps ensure that the printer is effective.
Silicone 3D printing has the potential to revolutionise the manufacturing industry. Silly Print’s desktop 3D silicone printer is the first of its kind and offers endless possibilities for manufacturers looking to produce silicone parts in-house. The unique extruder design, heating and cooling mechanism, and custom circuitry make this printer stand out from other 3D printers in the market. It is an excellent addition to any manufacturing setup and is sure to help manufacturers save time, reduce costs, and improve efficiency.
