EnvisionTEC, a leading global manufacturer of professional grade 3D printing solutions, announced today the launch of the new 3D-Bioplotter Starter Series and their upgraded 3D-Bioplotter® Developer Series for researchers and scientists.
“We’re excited about the new addition to the 3D-Bioplotter line-up, the enhanced user management flow and the new inner structure patterns,” said Carlos Carvalho, Process and Material Development Specialist for EnvisionTEC. “For more than 15 years, our 3D-Bioplotter technology has been in the pre-clinical setting, yielding over 150 publications and gaining the trust of customers worldwide as an excellent research and production tool.”
The EnvisionTEC 3D-Bioplotter technology has been used since 2000 by pre-eminent scientists from the materials science, imaging and toxicology disciplines. In the clinical setting, patient CT or MRI scans are used to create STL files to print solid 3D models which can then be used as templates for implants. Updates to the 3D-Bioplotter software include:
- New inner structure patterns
- Material life time control
- Improved surface finish of fabricated parts
- Generation of volume support structures for complex shapes
- A new user management flow to share projects, materials and patterns
- And much more
“With the release of this software, the 3D-Bioplotter is no longer limited to printing straight, parallel strands; instead zig-zag, wave hexagon and space-filling pattern can be assigned to individual 3D shapes to create more complex and organic inner structures,” said Carvalho.
EnvisionTEC added the Starter Series to the 3D-Bioplotter line-up to appeal to smaller labs wanting to ramp up their bioprinting research efforts. The main differences of the machine consist of two fixed, non-modular high temperature heads with adapters for low temperature cartridges, a non-temperature controlled platform, a built-in PC and the inaccessible platform height control sensor.
“We developed the Starter Series to provide a new generation of Tissue Engineering researchers the same stellar performance both Manufacturer and Developer Series 3D-Bioplotter are known for,” said Carvalho. “With a maximum of 2 materials, or cell types, per object, our Starter Series is designed for customers with few requirements in parallel material processing and automation.”
EnvisionTEC’s 3D-Bioplotter® 3D printing materials range from polymer melts, through viscous pastes to liquids, and are inserted into syringes to be used in individual printing heads with individual needle tips. Air pressure is applied to the syringe, which then deposits a strand of material for the length of movement and time the pressure is applied. Parallel strands are plotted in each layer. In each layer, the direction of the strands is turned over the center of the object, creating a fine mesh with good mechanical properties and mathematically well-defined porosity. By permitting the use of pastes, hydrogels, melts, and any other liquid which may be quickly solidified, this technology enables a wide range of 3D printing applications.
The Developer Series has been upgraded to mid-level, now including a sterile filter, a third parking position, a total of two printing heads, as well as capability for temperature control of the printing platform.
“This is one of our most exciting milestones within the 3D-Bioplotter technology and we’ll continue to expand our research developments to continuously assist educational institutions, researchers, scientist and medical practitioners with 3D printing advancements,” said Carvalho.
For more information on EnvisionTEC’s 3D printing solutions and the 3D-Bioplotter series, visit the online database at https://envisiontec.com/3d-bioplotter-research-papers/
About EnvisionTEC
EnvisionTEC is a leading global provider of professional grade 3D printing solutions for the rapid manufacture of customized products utilizing its proprietary consumables across a variety of markets. Since its first patent submission in 1999, EnvisionTEC has developed and released 3D print solutions consisting of 3D printers, print materials and replacement parts, as well as training and other services. Their proprietary, multi-platform technology delivers high precision, speed, surface quality and functionality and uses a wide range of materials at high production speeds. EnvisionTEC works with strong customer and partner bases in diverse sectors, including jewelry, hearing aids, dental, consumer, auto manufacturing and design companies.
Source: EnvisionTEC