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Pagina 1
TNO Science and Industry
Improved micro-stereo lithography
Faster and more accurate 3D printing
Did you know that state of the art hearing aid shells are manufactured by 3D printers? They make it possible to quickly
produce a perfectly fitting aid. Unfortunately, the printers that produce these shells are optimised for making hearing aid
shells only. Other applications have their own specific requirements, like the material properties. To print other types of
products and materials the process and corresponding equipment have to be modified. TNO develops these 3D printers
and materials to make this technology applicable for new and exciting applications.
Rapid Manufacturing and micro-stereo
lithography
Rapid Manufacturing (RM) means producing
products layer by layer, which makes it
possible to manufacture customised products
in small series without having to use expensive
tools. TNO research focuses on developing new
and improving existing RM processes.
Q112007/250
In (micro-)stereo lithography a product is
created layer by layer by illuminating a photocurable liquid polymer. Where the light hits the
liquid, it is transformed into a solid polymer.
Stereo lithography processes are limited in
terms of resolution, speed of construction and
processibility of materials, all of which have
restricted broader application for Rapid
Manufacturing productivity, material, process
and equipment must be specially developed
per application. The RM group of TNO has a
vast experience in these kind of developments.
TNO’s micro-stereo lithography
equipment
Most stereo lithography devices build a
product at an average speed of 100 layers
per hour. At a layer thickness of 0.1 mm this
means that 10 mm of product height is built
per hour. Higher resolutions (thinner layers)
reduce the building speed even more. The
micro-stereo lithography system developed
by TNO has a building speed of up to 1200
layers per hour, which means that even at
resolution of up to 0.025 mm high
construction speed is 60 mm per hour.
The equipment developed by TNO
73538_TNO_micro_stereo:73538_TNO_micro_stereo
23-11-2007
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Pagina 2
TNO Science and Industry
Improved micro-stereo lithography
Rapid Manufacturing
Especially for products that require very high
precision or surface finish, TNO has
developed a process with a resolution of
0.005 mm, making it possible to manufacture
small complex products with high-tech
product properties. The difference in surface
quality between parts built on this system
and injection moulded parts can no longer
be seen with the naked eye.
own patented technology enables us to
rapidly process high-tech materials into
precise products. Our expertise lies in
developing special applications, equipment
and materials based on customer
requirements.
What does TNO have to offer?
We can offer companies added value in many
ways through our contract research. Our
• Our system is 6 to 10 times faster than
conventional RM systems, which makes
cost effectiveness a fact.
• The process that enables us to process
high-tech materials with a high resolution
is unique and patented.
• To come to this process, a number of
fields of TNO expertise have been used:
Optics and process control that have
proven themselves in Space and
Lithography. Apart from that, TNO has
substantial knowledge in the field of
material development.
• In other words, we can develop the
optimal process for your material and
application.
The products: 6 times faster building speed and
improved material and accuracy
A microscopic picture of the small product
(2.7x0.8 mm)
TNO also develops special materials for
micro-stereo lithography, which makes it
possible to optimise materials in terms of the
functional product requirements. Important
aspects are high resolution, construction
speed, mechanical properties and durability.
TNO also has experience with developing
biocompatible and ceramic materials, and
materials for lost pattern casting.
TNO Science and Industry
De Rondom 1
5612 AP Eindhoven
The Netherlands
P.O. Box 6235
5600 HE Eindhoven
The Netherlands
Kees Buijsrogge
T +31 40 265 07 02
F +31 40 265 08 77
[email protected]
www.tno.nl
Micro grippers for the positioning of small lenses