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Case study
Art specialists choose our state-of-the art Liquid Crystal Magna printer
3D Next level is a business that focuses on creating large-scale pieces for art applications using additive manufacturing technologies. Their portfolio includes art objects, décor pieces, moulds for technical industries and large one-off pieces of art.
Challenge:
Based in Maassluis, in the Netherlands, 3D Next Level experts work on components manufactured through 3D-printing, painting and investment casting, also known as lost-wax casting. Their applications require the reliable production of large format investment casting patterns, for fully customised applications.
After more than five years of working with 3D-printed investment casting patterns, they realised that it was becoming increasingly challenging to meet cost and productivity requirements for their bronze casting applications, as well as to manufacture large patterns in one piece. Seeking a solution to this challenge, 3D Next Level took the decision to acquire their first large-format Liquid Crystal 3D printer from Photocentric back in 2019.
Solution:
3D Next Level can now reliably, quickly, and affordably manufacture impressive large format bronze parts, by 3D printing casting patterns using Photocentric LC Magna and our Magna High Tensile Translucent resin.
Advantages:
- 30% cost savings
- 100% reliability
- 40% time savings
Why Photocentric LC Magna is ideal for investment casting
3D Next Level originally purchased their LC Magna with the sole purpose of manufacturing investment casting patterns for art pieces. However, they soon discovered that with our innovative and flexible technology they were able to deliver a far wider range of creative projects.
Our LC Magna enables them to:
- Print large-scale patterns in one single print
- Have a huge degree of flexibility in creating complex geometries
- Fabricate detailed objects.
Rapid printing to save time and money
Parts are produced by using LC Magna and Photocentric Magna High Tensile Translucent resin. The tool-less manufacture of investment casting patterns using additive manufacturing technologies enables them to turnaround custom parts quickly, reducing lead times from several weeks to a few days and providing a cost saving of at least 30% compared to conventional manufacturing methods. Using a correctly optimised material, such as Magna High Tensile Translucent resin, ensures that the parts created will remain in their intended shape throughout the crucial yet harsh pre-burnout phases.
‘By working together we want to continue to push the boundaries to make the impossible, possible for our customers, and their customers’ Lennart van den Doel, Managing Director of 3D Next Level.
An award 3D printed on a Photocentric LC Magna, using translucent resin and then ceramic coated.
Investment casting in four steps
1. Prepare the file with Photocentric Studio software
The pattern design is loaded onto Photocentric Studio where the design can be hollowed, and infill structure added. Supports are also added and the file sliced ready for 3D printing.
2. Pattern 3D printing
Daylight Magna High Tensile Translucent resin* is used with our large-format LC Magna printer
3. Pattern post-processing
The object is removed from the printer still attached to the build platform. The part is washed and cured using our Photocentric optimised Wash 99 and Cure L post-print solutions. The support material is then removed, and the part is then ready for casting steps preparation.
4.Shelling, burnout and investment casting
The 3D printed patterns are dipped or sprayed with a refractory ceramic material and then undergo burnout into a high temperature furnace, using an optimised thermal cycle. The remaining hollowed shell is then used as a mould for the metal to be poured into.
Utilising our Photocentric LC Magna, with its advanced capabilities and diverse range of optimised materials, the team at 3D Next Level fabricates parts for casting, large-scale objects, and small intricate parts, creating spectacular display pieces.
* At Photocentric we are continually improving and refining our range of resins. Daylight Magna High Tensile Translucent has now been replaced by Daylight Magna Draft. This resin is capable of delivering even higher quality parts while retaining the same level of casting performance.
Case Study
Art specialists choose our state-of-the art Liquid Crystal Magna printer
3D Next level is a business that focuses on creating large-scale pieces for art applications using additive manufacturing technologies. Their portfolio includes art objects, décor pieces, moulds for technical industries and large one-off pieces of art.
Challenge:
Based in Maassluis, in the Netherlands, 3D Next Level experts work on components manufactured through 3D-printing, painting and investment casting, also known as lost-wax casting. Their applications require the reliable production of large format investment casting patterns, for fully customised applications.
After more than five years of working with 3D-printed investment casting patterns, they realised that it was becoming increasingly challenging to meet cost and productivity requirements for their bronze casting applications, as well as to manufacture large patterns in one piece. Seeking a solution to this challenge, 3D Next Level took the decision to acquire their first large-format Liquid Crystal 3D printer from Photocentric back in 2019.
Solution:
3D Next Level can now reliably, quickly, and affordably manufacture impressive large format bronze parts, by 3D printing casting patterns using Photocentric LC Magna and our Magna High Tensile Translucent resin.
Advantages:
- 30% cost savings
- 100% reliability
- 40% time savings
Why Photocentric LC Magna is ideal for investment casting
3D Next Level originally purchased their LC Magna with the sole purpose of manufacturing investment casting patterns for art pieces. However, they soon discovered that with our innovative and flexible technology they were able to deliver a far wider range of creative projects.
Our LC Magna enables them to:
- Print large-scale patterns in one single print
- Have a huge degree of flexibility in creating complex geometries
- Fabricate detailed objects.
Rapid printing to save time and money
Parts are produced by using LC Magna and Photocentric Magna High Tensile Translucent resin. The tool-less manufacture of investment casting patterns using additive manufacturing technologies enables them to turnaround custom parts quickly, reducing lead times from several weeks to a few days and providing a cost saving of at least 30% compared to conventional manufacturing methods. Using a correctly optimised material, such as Magna High Tensile Translucent resin, ensures that the parts created will remain in their intended shape throughout the crucial yet harsh pre-burnout phases.
‘By working together we want to continue to push the boundaries to make the impossible, possible for our customers, and their customers’ Lennart van den Doel, Managing Director of 3D Next Level.
An award 3D printed on a Photocentric LC Magna, using translucent resin and then ceramic coated.
Investment casting in four steps
Utilising our Photocentric LC Magna, with its advanced capabilities and diverse range of optimised materials, the team at 3D Next Level fabricates parts for casting, large-scale objects, and small intricate parts, creating spectacular display pieces such as the ones below.
1. Prepare the file with Photocentric Studio software
The pattern design is loaded onto Photocentric Studio where the design can be hollowed, and infill structure added. Supports are also added and the file sliced ready for 3D printing.
2. Pattern 3D printing
Daylight Magna High Tensile Translucent resin* is used with our large-format LC Magna printer
3. Pattern post-processing
The object is removed from the printer still attached to the build platform. The part is washed and cured using our Photocentric optimised Wash 99 and Cure L post-print solutions. The support material is then removed, and the part is then ready for casting steps preparation.
4.Shelling, burnout and investment casting
The 3D printed patterns are dipped or sprayed with a refractory ceramic material and then undergo burnout into a high temperature furnace, using an optimised thermal cycle. The remaining hollowed shell is then used as a mould for the metal to be poured into.
* At Photocentric we are continually improving and refining our range of resins. Daylight Magna High Tensile Translucent has now been replaced by Daylight Magna Draft. This resin is capable of delivering even higher quality parts while retaining the same level of casting performance.
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