3D Systems V-Flash Printer
This is response to reBang.
I saw the V-Flash today for the first time at the Pacific Design and Manufacturing show. It is really pretty cool and produces a much better part than a Stratasys FDM in my opinion. Still not as good as the SLA or SLS technologies offered by 3D systems but it is a big improvement over other desktop 3D printers. Incidentally, at Tangible Express we have made the decision to exclusively sell fractions on 3D System machines.
I suspect that this will be a good solution for iterative prototyping by companies that need to work out design concepts before running a SLS or SLA prototype. You should check out what Tangible Express is doing with rapid prototyping fractional ownership. (disclosure nonsense — this is my company.)
Thanks for leaving the trackback. I’m now hoping that you can go into more detail. For example, what makes it inferior to the SLA/SLS that 3D Systems offers? What exactly is the material? and is the assumption that it’s a development based on the InVision correct?
Anything you could add would be very much appreciated.
It appears to me from the few images that they provide on their web site that it actually builds upside down and it appears that there is a sheet (perhaps the film?) that is under the object. So, I’m wondering if the technology isn’t more like the old Panasonic Fax machines that melted ink from an ink-covered film onto the paper.
If so, I wonder about the cost of materials since unused materials wouldn’t be as readily recycled as powder. On the other hand, if this is the method, then it’s a LOT cleaner in an office setting.
Follow Up: I found a conversation that described in a bit more detail the process by which the V-Flash works. It does, as I suspected build upside down. But, from the description it looks as if the film is simply a carrier of powered materials. This is the first place where I’ve seen any numbers for resolution.
http://rapid.lpt.fi/rp-ml-current/0244.html