3D Systems has announced Figure 4 Jewelry – a specially designed and optimized 3D printing solution for the burgeoning 3D printed jewelry market. The market is expected to grow 26% over the next four years according to reports.
Figure 4 Jewelry is the latest example of how 3D Systems optimizes its Figure 4 platform across hardware, software and materials to deliver application-specific production solutions. Figure 4 Jewelry delivers speed, high accuracy, fine feature detail and smooth surface finish for jewelry-specific production workflows: jewelry casting patterns, master patterns for molds, and prototype/fit check models.
3D Systems has incorporated two significant technology innovations into the Figure 4 Jewelry solution that are unparalleled in the industry. Figure 4’s non-contact membrane technology combined with exclusive MicroPointTM support structures minimizes part-to-support interaction resulting in high speed and the smoothest sidewalls and finest resolution for jewelry applications.
The company’s 3D Sprint software also includes proprietary print build styles developed specifically for jewelry, both for thin, delicate geometries, as well as thicker geometries, enable optimized jewelry prints with detail for settings, sharp prongs, fine mesh and more.
Figure 4 Jewelry has a print speed of 16 mm/hr at 30 um layer resolution and projection-based imaging, Figure 4 Jewelry can print a full platform of rings at up to 4X faster than comparable printing systems. In addition, MicroPoint ultra-fine tip support structures enable both easy support removal and smoother surface finish, reducing downstream labor costs and production time by minimizing polishing of support intersection points.
As an integrated production solution, Figure 4 Jewelry is designed to address three application-specific workflows: jewelry casting patterns, master patterns for molds, and prototype/fit check models. The jewelry casting workflow is available today for manufacturing ultra-high resolution jewelry patterns directly from CAD, and can be executed using 3D Systems’ Figure 4 JCAST-GRN 10 material. The material yields minimal ash and residue after burnout for easy casting. The complete solution – Figure 4 JCAST-GRN 10, Figure 4 technology, 3D Sprint – is designed for high productivity enabling jewelers to create prints ready for casting or molding in hours, not days.
3D Systems is planning general availability of additional materials specific for the master pattern molds and prototyping/fit check during the first half of this year.
Take a look at 3DSystems Figure 4 >>
