Digital Light Synthesis(DLS)
Experience Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis with professionals
One of our partners is a 3D manufacturing company from the Silicon Valley, that has revolutionised the way of 3D printing. Carbon is pushing the limits of Pre-Mass Manufacturing since 2015, when they have invented their core technology “Continuous Liquid Interface Production” (=CLIP). Because CLIP & Digital Light Synthesis (=DLS) work without a layer by layer approach, the printed objects have more consistent technical properties and make it possible to exploit a range of materials that have the details needed for end-use parts.
Carbon’s M2 Printer
- Build volume : 18,9 x 11,8 x 32,6 cm3 (7,4 x 4,6 x 12,8 in3)
- Printer size : 54 x 65,4 x 173,4 cm3 (21,2 x 25,7 x 68,2 in3)
- Integrated connectivity
- Digital Light Synthesis Technology
- Continuous Liquid Interface Production
3D printing with double build volume
The M2 allows larger parts, higher throughput with the same resolution (75µm) as its predecessor Carbon M1. Through economy of scale, Carbon continuously decreases operation- and total manufacturing costs.
M2’s all-embracing software enables predictive service
Carbon provides us as their official partner with their software, that brings hardware and material together into one entity. It is enabling their high-performance hardware to deliver products at scale in many different industries such as medical, automotive, aerospace and
many more
Level-up with the Carbon Connector expansion port
The M2 allows the connection to smart accessories and is compatible with workflow automation systems. Those factors turn Carbon’s highly reliable hardware into a manufacturing ready and extensible powerhouse.
In the name of Carbon & PLG Global, we want to accelerate the transition to local digital manufacturing by distributing the latest technologies in 3D printing. From high-density industrial materials to consumer product elastomers, Carbon offers materials for a broad range of industries. As Carbon’s cofounder and CEO Joe DeSimone told Forbes “It’s not prototyping anymore, it’s production”, we can provide our services to you as our partner and help you to become part of the Link to the Future.
How does Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis work?
After Carbon has implemented the Digital Light SynthesisTM into Adidas’ manufacturing process, the company became globally known. Their new Futurecraft 4D Sneaker is partially produced with light and oxygen by utilizing Digital Light SynthesisTM. This process successfully cuts Adidas’ manufacturing costs and increases their production speed.
Generally, Carbon’s DLS-technology combines the fast “Continuous Liquid Interface Production” (=CLIP) method with a secondary heating-process, which changes the chemical composition of the printing material after it has been printed. Similar to the Stereolithography (=SLA) process, objects are made from liquid resin, that is primarily cured with UV-light.
Digital Light Synthesis in two steps:
First step of Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis
The innovating part of the process is the “dead zone”, that is created by an oxygen-permeable window below the build platform and the resin, where the UV-light shines through and cures the resin in a precisely controlled way. The oxygen passing through the window creates a thin liquid interface of uncured resin between the window and the already printed part, which is called “dead zone”. Even though this area is extremely small, the oxygen prohibits the resin to cure immediately. Thereby, the uncured liquid resin is able to flow continuously beneath the printed object until it is far enough away from the “dead zone”. Just above this zone, the UV-light causes the resin to cure and merge with the printed rest. The name of the production technique CLIP originates in the resin’s possibility of continuously flowing into the interface. Even though “dead zone” does not sound like a scientific term, this thin layer is the difference between conventional resin-based printing methods and Carbon’s DLS technology.
Second step of Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis
After the “Continuously Liquid Interface Production” process, the semi-cured resin needs to start the thermal curing. After establishing the object’s shape in step one, the thermal curing phase determines the object’s technical properties. The heat in this process initiates a chemical reaction, that changes the material’s structure in order to achieve the desired properties.
The combination of these two steps are the cause for Carbon’s unique material-properties. Convince yourself at Carbon’s website or contact our experienced engineers for further information. Follow our journey of improving Great Britain’s manufacturing industry and become part of the Link to the Future.
Cutting edge Carbon materials
Objects of other additive manufacturing approaches are relying on their printing-direction. The final heating phase of the DLS-process solves this problem by initiating a chemical reaction inside of the semi-cured object that determines its technical properties. This process helps Carbon and us to offer the best suitable material for the desired needs. From high-strength automotive materials to consumer product elastomers, we are able to provide a broad range of applications. Our printers manufacture objects with high resolution and engineering-grade mechanical properties. Be one of the pioneers to access cutting-edge Carbon materials with PLG Global.