UV Curable Inkjet

Step 1

Printing

The printing process begins with the inkjet printhead ejecting microscopic droplets of photopolymer material onto the build platform. This ejection occurs in a selective pattern corresponding to the 2D slice of the desired 3D geometry. Precise control of droplet deposition allows for high-resolution printing, allowing intricate details and complex geometries. Each layer is cured, before the process repeats.

Step 2

Support Removal

Water Jetting The most common method, using a pressure washer or water jet station to remove the gel-like support material. Chemical Soaking For more delicate parts, supports are dissolved in a sodium hydroxide bath or using proprietary solutions. Manual Cleaning For fine features or sensitive areas, soft brushes or picks may be used alongside water.

Step 3

Surface Finishing

Sanding / Polishing Surface finishing can smooth out rough surfaces and help achieve a more polished look. UV inkjet parts can be sanded lightly for improved aesthetics, especially if the part is overexposed to UV. Chemical Smoothing / Coating UV-curable coatings can be applied to smooth out surfaces or enhance part durability, giving the object a more uniform finish. Painting / Priming UV inkjet parts may require primer or paint coatings if they are intended for specific aesthetic designs. UV inks can be easily painted over with compatible coatings. Gloss / Matte Control The natural finish is usually glossy unless additional post-processing steps like matte coatings or sandblasting are used.

Step 4

Curing / Heat Treatment

UV / Thermal Curing The primary curing method for UV inkjet printing, using UV light (typically LEDs) to harden the photopolymer resin during printing. A post-curing UV bath can be applied for parts that need extra hardening. Annealing / Stress Relief Non-applicable.

Step 5

Assembly and Functional Finishing

Gluing or Bonding Parts printed via UV inkjet can be bonded using compatible adhesives, such as UV-cured adhesives or standard epoxy resins. Drilling / Tapping / CNC Common for functional parts, especially in high-precision industries like electronics or jewellery—parts can be drilled, tapped, or CNC machined to exact tolerances post-printing. Inserts / Fasteners Press-fit inserts, screws, or heat-set inserts can be integrated into UV inkjet prints for functional assembly if required by the design.

Step 6

Special Treatments

Infiltration / Sealing Not typically required, but parts can undergo infiltration with resins or other materials to improve strength or density. Functional Coatings UV-resistant coatings, scratch-resistant, or abrasion-resistant coatings may be applied to UV inkjet parts depending on the end-use.