Frequently Asked Questions - 3D Systems ProJet 3500 Max Series User Manual

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is rapid prototyping?
• Rapid prototyping (RP)is the process of building a part from a 3D Cad drawing and converting the drawing format into an .STL
file. When the printing event takes place in the printer, it is constructed layer by layer using VisiJet® materials.
What is 3D printing?
• A type of rapid prototyping, typically defined by faster, more affordable, and easier-to-use technologies.
How does 3D Printing fit into the design process?
• For a growing segment of designers using 3D CAD drawing, the ProJet Printer is quickly becoming an essential extension of
overall CAD systems and a critical part of the entire design process by:
- Accelerating Time to Market - through shortening design and development cycles and ultimately get products to market
more quickly enabling users to easily fine tune design and explore multiple design configurations.
- Generating Savings - by helping companies significantly lower production costs and reducing expensive revisions late in the
development cycle .
- Enhancing Communication and Collaboration - through bringing ideas off flat screens and producing functional parts that
can be easily shared, critiqued, and improved upon .
- Creating Better Designs - designers are no longer limited to the number of parts they can produce and test, resulting in
more creative designs and better final products.
- Ensuring Confidentiality - eliminating the need to exchange confidential design files with service providers, allowing compa-
nies to maintain product confidentiality and control.
How does the 3D Printing process work?
• The printer builds functional 3D prints from the bottom up, one layer at a time .
• STL files are imported into the printer that automatically slices and orients the parts and creates any necessary support struc-
tures . The materials are fed into the printer in a heated semi-liquid state and accurately deposited in layers upon the build plat-
form . After completion of the build, support structures are simply removed through a post curing process .
How do materials create accurate, detailed, and durable parts from your 3-D CAD designs?
• Popular applications include concept parts, casting forms, prototype parts, and specialty tools. All the specific physical and pro-
cess characteristics of VisiJet materials are detailed in VisiJet material safety data sheet .
Is post-processing required?
• Yes, upon removing the part from the printer you will need to remove the support material from VisiJet® parts. The parts finisher
makes removing bulk support material from VisiJet parts efficient and easy. Forced airflow and precision temperature control
deliver faster, shorter, and more predictable VisiJet part finishing times.
Are there any special facility requirements or operating systems necessary to install and operate the printer?
• Refer to the ProJet® 3-D Printer Facility Requirements Guide .
Can more than one user process files and build parts?
• Multiple users can send files to the printer build queue, move, delete, and set build priorities in the build queue. Depending on
the size of the part, multiple files can be added onto the build platform in one build application.
Can parts be sanded, painted, dyed, and glued?
• The parts can be sanded to remove imperfections or layer lines from the surface . After priming, the parts can be painted using
any oil- or water-based paint that is compatible with the primer, or you can dye VisiJet parts with candle-craft dyes . You can also
use super glue to join parts together .
3D Systems, Inc.
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