Figure 4
Launched in November 2017, 3D Systems’ Figure 4 has promised to disrupt the polymer additive manufacturing market and potentially manufacturing on the whole. The system, based on a non-contact Digital Light Printing (DLP) technology, delivers the fastest AM throughout and time-to-part rates currently on the market, reaching part print speeds of up 65 mm/h and prototyping speeds of up to 100 mm/h.
In addition to its rapid print speeds, the Figure 4 boasts a modular and highly scalable configuration, enabling manufacturers to easily add printing units (called “engines”) to increase production capacity. The Figure 4 also includes automated post-processing and light-based UV curing stations, which allows for the technology to turn out dimensionally stable and finely textured finished products.
This fully-integrated approach to polymer AM has led 3D Systems to coin the term “digital molding,” which refers to the Figure 4’s capacity to transform a digital input file into a finished product in record time. By doing away with the need for costly tooling steps, Digital molding is being positioned as a viable alternative to traditional injection molding processes and has been shown to be faster and more cost-effective for mid-volume non-structural part manufacturing.
As industries such as dental, automotive, aerospace and electronics seek ways to bridge prototyping and production, 3D Systems’ Figure 4 offers a novel solution. According to 3D Systems, the Figure 4 is just the beginning of the digital molding impact, as it continues to evolve its technology and develop new, industrial-grade materials.
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3D Systems to release test data for Figure 4 materials
3D Systems has completed comprehensive testing for new Figure 4 materials following ASTM and ISO standards. The new materials, developed for its scalable Figure 4 system, will soon have test data available, making adoption easier for end-use production applications in a variety of sectors. Among the materials that underwent testing…
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3D Systems presents new Figure 4 Jewelry system
3D Systems has launched a new Figure 4 production system dedicated specifically to the jewelry market. The machine—called the Figure 4 Jewelry—offers high speed printing as well as high precision and fine feature detail capabilities. It is optimized for particular applications, including jewelry casting patterns, master patterns for molds and…
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3D Systems releases versatile range of Figure 4 materials
3D Systems has today introduced a new material for its Figure 4 digital production system. The material, Figure 4 PRO-BLK 10, is the first photopolymer released by 3D Systems with thermoplastic characteristics that meets the speed, precision, strength and durability of injection molded components. 3D Systems has also announced four…
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Hosiery leader Lonati sees 50% cost reduction with 3D Systems’ AM solutions
Though big industrial sectors like aerospace, automotive and medical are often the focus for additive manufacturing applications, the technology is finding its way into countless industries, sometimes radically transforming, sometimes slightly improving production workflows. The latest comes from the hosiery sector, where Italy-based hosiery equipment producer Lonati SPA has adopted…
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Splitvision improves medtech prototyping with Figure 4 3D printing
3D Systems recently revealed that Stockholm-based product design firm Splitvision Design was one of the first companies in the Nordic region to adopt its Figure 4 Standalone 3D printer. Since installing the scalable additive manufacturing solution, the Swedish agency has seen drastic improvements in its product development and prototyping processes—especially…
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3D Systems announces general release date for Figure 4 Modular, new materials
3D Systems is preparing to commercially release its Figure 4 Modular digital manufacturing solution next month. The Figure 4 Modular is part of the company’s Figure 4 platform along with the Figure 4 Standalone and the Figure 4 Production. In addition to announcing the upcoming general release, 3D Systems is…
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Rapid Application Group doubles production capacity with Figure 4
Rapid Application Group (RAG), an Oklahoma-based additive manufacturing company, has significantly increased its production capacity with the installation of a 3D Systems’ Figure 4 Standalone 3D printer. The recently added polymer AM platform will enable RAG to improve its services and turnaround times for clients in the aerospace, defense, healthcare,…
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Digital Molding: 3D Systems ushers in new era of manufacturing with Figure 4 Production
As an industry, additive manufacturing (AM) is seeking to disrupt industrial production practices that have been dominated by injection molding for over a century. Today, we are closer than ever to that reality: sophisticated 3D printing technologies are proving to be a viable means for fulfilling new manufacturing philosophies centered…
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U.S. Air Force adopts 3D Systems’ Figure 4 DLP platform for aircraft part replacement
It seems the excitement surrounding 3D Systems’ game-changing Figure 4 additive manufacturing technology has not been lost on the U.S. Air Force. In an announcement at RAPID+TCT yesterday, 3D Systems revealed that its Figure 4 Production system had been chosen for Air Force-sponsored research. The project, which will focus on…
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