All of our research is in the area of vat polymerization 3D printing, driven by illumination from LCD screens, predominantly in the visible part of the spectrum.
We believe that LCD screens are the most suitable method of digital imaging for a wide variety of SLA applications and will open up the future of industrial 3D printing.
Our research is spread across a wide variety of projects, at varying TRL levels, funded by ourselves, Innovate and direct corporate partnerships.
Our aim is to bring novel products targeted at industrial applications that provide all three of the following; scale, function and cost effectiveness. Research
LCD printer research We are researching into manufacturing the widest variety of different LCD 3D printers driven by 4k mobiles in our smallest commercialized format, through all the screen sizes, right up to 8k 98” screens with 33 million separately controllable pixels. We have an enthusiastic and committed team of engineers who are working on all aspects of these printers to create the optimum 3D printing performance, often tailor-making them to specific industrial applications. Our core aim is to provide solutions for varying product sizes delivering accuracy, speed of printing and near-automated industrialized processing. View our current 3D Range
We have developed commercialized ranges of polymers active across the spectrum from 355nm, 380nm, 405nm and up to 460nm. We convert photons into electrons to ring open cations or free radically split double bonds. Although our research is predominantly in the visible range we are investigating many other energy sources.
We have optimized formulations at all wavelengths in a wide palette of colors to give the following properties; cast able, flexible, firm, tough, high tensile, high temperature, modelling, firm and hard. All of our formulations have been formulated to deliver minimal shrinkage. We have worked to deliver combinations of high tensile strength and extreme elongation. We are researching into the benefits obtained from loading with a number of particles such as graphene, glass spheres, voided glass, carbon fiber and glass fiber to enhance properties. Polymer research Explore our 3D Polymers
We have made numerous successful ceramic objects printed in our Precisions and HR printers.
We have made alumina, zirconia and silica objects. We are now working with harder-to-process ceramics such as silicon carbide and silicon nitride. We have a research program on 3D printing hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate and bio-glass for bone implants. This project aims to deliver biocompatible and bioabsorbable implants using machine learning to derive accurate shapes. Ceramic objects
Metals We have started to print metals using Nickel 718 and stainless steel. We have built a specific top-down printer to handle the high specific gravities necessary and will aim to print every metal possible. The possibilities of utilizing our unique know-how and technology combination with metallic resins have already shown considerable promise and initial performance. This has attracted significant interest and investment and we will only be partnering with a select set of industry partners to transform their value chains.
We have an open policy towards research that widens the technology for all participants. Research with Universities is critical to the development of the science surrounding visible light polymerisation from LCD screens in 3D printing. We are currently in partnership with 16 Universities. If you would like to work with us on a research project or have an idea or materials you would like us to investigate and develop, please contact us below: Active research projects UK Universities USA Universities Germany Research Inquiry
