3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY DEEP DIVE

PolyJet 3D Printer Technology

The ultimate for visual realism and multi-material versatility. PolyJet technology builds incredibly smooth, detailed, full-color, and multi-material prototypes that look and feel like final products.

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A multi-color prototype, illustrating the advanced capabilities of PolyJet 3D printing

How a PolyJet Printer Works: Inkjet for 3D

PolyJet is a material jetting additive manufacturing technology. It works similarly to an inkjet printer, but instead of jetting ink onto paper, it jets microscopic droplets of liquid photopolymer resin onto a build tray. After a layer of resin is jetted, a UV lamp immediately cures (solidifies) the droplets.

A roller then flattens the newly deposited layer, and the print heads jet the next layer. This process builds the part layer by layer. PolyJet printers can jet multiple materials (including different colors and durometers) in a single print run, allowing for the creation of complex parts with varying material properties and vibrant colors directly from the printer.

A highly smooth 3D printed part, illustrating the superior surface finish of PolyJet

The PolyJet Advantage: Unmatched Realism

Multi-Material Capabilities

Print parts with both rigid and flexible sections, or combine different colors in a single print. This allows for highly realistic prototypes that accurately mimic the final product's feel and function.

Full-Color Printing

With the ability to jet multiple colors, PolyJet can produce parts with vibrant, accurate, and gradient colors directly from the design file, eliminating the need for painting.

Exceptional Surface Finish & Detail

PolyJet parts have an extremely smooth surface finish, similar to injection molding, with very fine layer lines. It can capture incredibly intricate details, thin walls, and complex geometries.

PolyJet Materials & Applications

PolyJet uses specialized photopolymer resins. While not as strong as Nylon (SLS/MJF) or machined plastics, they offer excellent visual and tactile properties.

Rigid Opaque: Simulates standard plastics like ABS and PP, available in a variety of colors.
Transparent: Used for clear lenses, light guides, and visual prototypes that mimic glass.
Flexible (Rubber-like): Simulates various Shore A hardnesses of rubber, ideal for gaskets, grips, and overmolded features.

Ideal Applications

High-Fidelity Appearance Models: The top choice for realistic prototypes for marketing, sales, and user feedback.
Multi-Material Prototypes: Creating functional prototypes with varying hard and soft sections.
Medical Models: Highly accurate anatomical models for surgical planning and training.

A collection of highly detailed prototypes for consumer electronics, ideal for PolyJet

PolyJet Technology FAQ

How does PolyJet compare to SLA?

Both are resin-based technologies. PolyJet offers superior multi-material and full-color capabilities, and a slightly finer surface finish. SLA typically produces stronger, more isotropic parts for functional prototypes and larger parts, often at a lower cost per part.

Can PolyJet parts be painted?

Yes, PolyJet parts take paint very well due to their smooth surface. However, one of the key benefits of PolyJet is its ability to print in full color, often eliminating the need for secondary painting processes.

Are PolyJet parts durable for functional testing?

PolyJet materials are generally more brittle than engineering plastics like Nylon (SLS/MJF) or machined ABS. While they can be used for light functional testing, they are primarily chosen for their aesthetic and multi-material capabilities. For robust functional testing, SLS/MJF or CNC machining is usually recommended.