The Future: continuous and semi-continuous multi component 3D resins feed with controlled variable or gradient compositions & properties of 3D printed materials

The 3Dresyns team has the expertise to custom design continuous and semi-continuous multi component 3D resins feed with controlled variable or gradient compositions & properties of 3D printed materials by SLA, DLP and LCD printing.

One of the advantages of MultiJet and PolyJet inkjet processes is the simultaneous printing of different resins to make multi-component 3D printed materials, thanks to their multi-head simultaneous printing technology.

One of the existing disadvantages of the state of the art of the existing SLA, DLP and LCD technologies is that only single materials can be printed each time. This has limited the possibility of 3D printing multi-component materials with affordable SLA, DLP, and LCD printers.

Our semi continuous or semi batch multi resin fed reaction process consists in the controlled feed of one or several 3D resins, with certain distinctive compositions, continuously or in increments to the 3D resin initially added to the resin tank . Continuous stirring of the different resins in the resin tank can ensure fast mixing and homogenous resin systems.

Alternatively, continuous multi resin fed reaction processes, with loop (or without loop) can be used where several resins are continuously or in increments added or fed to the resin tank during the 3D printing process. Controlled recirculation (loop) with pump systems ensures control of the variable or gradient resin compositions of the 3D printed materials.

In fact, with this new process technology, existing resin tanks can be transformed in continuous or semi continuous multi resin feed reactors permitting the printing of 3D printed materials with variable or gradient compositions in the z layer direction.

These processes can be implemented in Top Down, Bottom Up and CLIP (Continuous Liquid Interface Production) printers. 

Different systems / processes can be custom designed to predict variable or gradient complex compositions of 3D printed materials by SLA, DLP and LCD printing.

Continuous and semi-continuous 3D printing allow the design of compositional gradients in the z direction and control of gradient properties by using different 3D resins compositions.

Depending on the resin addition or feed flow rate and the different materials compositions and their properties, different features and benefits can be attained, such as:

• compositional gradient 
• crosslink network density gradient 
• hardness softness gradient
• rigidity flexibility gradient
• polarity gradient
• color gradient
• conductivity gradient
• etc...

Fluorescent and other markers can be used for monitoring or tracking compositional gradients and their related properties of 3D printed materials.