PARTS IN 3 TO 5 DAYS
High-Quality
Hybrid PhotoSynthesis
Parts In Days
- Combined Speed of DLP and Surface Finish of SLA
- Models, Prototypes, and Master Patterns
- Complex Geometries
Table of Contents
What is Hybrid PhotoSynthesis?
Midwest Prototyping has been at the forefront of promoting technologies and solutions that will benefit and impact our customers’ prototypes and end-use parts. We are excited to be the first additive manufacturer in the United States to adopt Axtra3D’s new technology, Hybrid PhotoSynthesis, that blends stereolithography and digital light processing to create highly accurate and efficient 3D prints.
This Hybrid PhotoSynthesis Technology is fast while maintaining incredibly smooth surface areas like injection molding. The Axtra3D Lumia offers a substantially larger build area than most 4k DLP machines with a 45-micron resolution. For more information about Axtra3D and their machines, visit their website in our opinion, this technology is very cool.
How does Hybrid PhotoSynthesis work?
Our AM Technicians upload your CAD file into the machine, and the software breaks it down layer by layer. The AM Technicians consider the direction and the supports’ placement when they set up the part. The Hybrid Photosynthesis machine combines digital light processing and stereolithography by using a photochemical process by projecting light through an oxygen-permeable into a UV-curable resin and using a laser for fine details. This step repeats until the build is complete.
Once finished, the AM Technician removes the platform from the machine, and the parts are manually removed and cleaned using solvents. From there, parts get cured using a UV cycle to solidify the outer surface of the component. Then the components go to the finishing department.
Ideal Applications for Hybrid PhotoSynthesis
Since Hybrid PhotoSynthesis 3D printers use production-grade materials, it’s a suitable technology for parts throughout the product development cycle, from prototypes to end-use components.
Handles
Cranks
Knobs
Structural Brackets
Snap-Fits
Fasteners
Lighting Covers
Cases
Hybrid PhotoSynthesis at Midwest Prototyping
OEM:
Axtra3D
Max Build Area:
9.5 x 5.25 x 19.25 in
Lead Time:
3 – 5 Days
Materials:
LOCTITE, S-Pro, Tough Clear
Tolerances:
±.005 in for the first inch and ±.0015 in for each additional inch
Layer Resolution:
Fine Resolution: .002 in
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How does Hybrid PhotoSynthesis work?
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Hybrid PhotoSynthesis Materials
Material
Description
Key Characteristics
More Information
LOCTITE
Semi-flexible resin with moderate temperature resistance HDT60, high impact strength, and versatility for various applications.
- Black
- Flexible
- High Strength
- Impact Resistant
S-Pro
S-Pro is a high resistance to impact and fracture, providing great thermal resilience properties with no deformation. Maintains high dimensional stability and ensures minimal shrinkage during printing and post-curing.
- Grey
- High Strength
- High Thermal Resistance
- Impact Resistant
Touch Clear
A translucent/clear, production-grade material engineered to offer long-term, environmental UV, humidity stability, chemical compatible, and has thermoplastic-like mechanical properties.
- Clear/Translucent
- Chemical Resistant
- High Strength
- Moisture Resistant
- UV Stability
Compare Materials
Hybrid PhotoSynthesis Finishing and Post-Processing Levels
Level
Process
Description
1
Supports removed and support faces lightly sanded
Standard finish, supported surfaces appearing dull and non-supported surfaces appearing glossy. Parts will have visible layer lines.
2
Supports removed, support faces lightly sanded, and entire part bead blasted
Even surface finish, gloss removed from non-supported surfaces to create a more consistent finish. Parts will have visible layer lines.
2 +
Supports removed, support faces lightly sanded, cosmetic surfaces sanded to 180 grit, and entire part bead blasted
Functional finish, removes some layer lines. Parts have a light texture from sanding.
3
Supports removed, support surfaces lightly sanded, cosmetic surfaces sanded to 320 grit, and entire part bead blasted
Show quality finish, removes layer lines from cosmetic surfaces. This finish is recommended for priming, painting, and urethane mold masters.
4
Supports removed, support surfaces lightly sanded, cosmetic surfaces wet sanded to 600 grit
Highest quality finish, recommended only for plating and optically clear parts.
"We are constantly evaluating new technologies, trying to find those that will not only improve our business and our service to our customers but also move the industry forward. Over the past twenty years, this has included testing and development of hardware, software, materials, and post-processing techniques. Along the way, we have established a reputation as innovators and successful early adopters. We first connected with the Axtra 3D team over a year ago and immediately recognized the Lumia printer as a technology with the opportunity to be transformational. Fast forward to today, after much collaboration between our teams, I am thrilled to have the first machine in the world already making parts in our facility."
