Facilities | U3DP

Main Feature

The U3DP will be able to support students’ learning and teaching activities as well as accommodating the needs of researchers and academic staff. It has a full range of:

Facility and equipment from elementary grade to industrial grade.
Materials including commonly used (e.g. plastic) and special type (e.g. biocompatible resin, silver ink, graphene).
Technologies from 3D scanning, CAD modelling to 3D printing.
Production including multi-material and multi-colour printing.

Located next to PolyU IC, the U3DP is also conveniently supported by IC’s technical workshops in various pre/post-process technologies as well as its expertise with 20 years+ solid research support, development and application experience in 3DP.

3D Printers:

Metal	Plastic	Resin
Selective Laser Melting (SLM) SLM 280HL dual SLM 280HL twin SLM 125HL	Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) Stratasys Fortus 900MC Stratasys Fortus 450MC Creatbot D600 Ultimaker S5 Bambu Lab X1 carbon Makerbot Replicator+ Fused Granulate Fabrication (FGF) Piocreat G5 Pro Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Sinterit Lisa Pro	PolyJet Stratasys J850 3DFashion Stratasys J750 Digital Light Processing (DLP) LuxCreo 3Li+ EnvisionTec Perfactory4 3D systems Figure 4 Stereolithography (SLA) Formlabs Form3+
Ceramic	Silicone / Biomaterial / Food	Nanomaterials
Digital Light Processing (DLP) Admatec Admaflex 130	Material extrusion SanDraw S300 EnvisionTec Bioplotter Natural Machines Foodini	Aerosol Jet Optomec AJ300

3D Scanners:

Desktop	Handheld	Precision
RangeVision Smart 3D Scanner	Thor3D Scanner	Carl Zeiss Comet L3D 5M

Raw Material Processing Machines:

Metal	Plastic
Metal Powder ATO metal atomizer	Filament Noztek XCalibur Filament Extruder

Post-Processing Equipment:

Metal	Ceramic	Printed Electronics
Metal Polishing (for Metal printed parts) DLyte 100D+Ti	Water debinding (for Admaflex 130 printed parts) Water debinding machine Thermal debinding (for ceramic parts ONLY) Nabertherm L40/11BO thermal debinding furnace Thermal sintering (for ceramic parts ONLY) Nabertherm HT29/17 thermal sintering furnace	Photonic Sintering (for Aerosol Jet AJ300 printed parts) Xenon X-1100
Resin	FDM	PolyJet
Washing Form Wash (for Form3+ printed parts) Curing Form Cure (for Form3+ printed parts)	Support removal WaterWorks (for FDM printed parts)	Support removal Water Jet (for PolyJet printed parts)

Quality Inspection Equipment:

Powder Analyzers

Particle size analysis
- Malvern Mastersizer 3000

Particle size and shape analysis
- Malvern Morphologi 4
Rheometer
- FreeMan FT4 Powder rheometer

MAJOR FACILITIES

Located on the 5/F of PolyU IC, the U3DP is equipped with:

Over 50 sets of 3DP machines/equipment (from elementary to industrial grade) with single build up to 914 x 914 x 609 mm (Scalable)
Over 35 sets of computer for 3D modelling
Computer software in 3D scanning, re-construction, modelling and printing
3D Printing post-treatment working area and facilities
Innovation and Incubation Corner (i2)

Innovation and Incubation Corner

Metal 3D Printers - Selective Laser Melting (SLM)

SLM 280HL Dual Laser System

Technology	Selective Laser Melting (SLM)
Laser Power	400W (laser 1) + 1000W (laser 2) *choose either laser 1 or laser 2 for printing
Building Platform	Large platform (200degC max.): 280 mm x 280 mm x 350 mm Reduction platform (100degC max.): 100mm x 100mm x 160mm High temperature platform (650 degC max.): dia 90mm x 90mm
Layer Thickness	20 - 75 µm
Min. scan line / wall thickness	150µm / 1mm
Operational beam focus	80 - 120µm
Material	Ti alloy, Al alloy, Stainless Steel, CoCr Alloy, Inconel, etc.
Application	Aviation, Medical Implant, High-strength Lightweight Lattice Structure Components
Website	https://www.slm-solutions.com/products-and-solutions/machines/slm-280/ (the latest model for reference) SLM280HL brochure (the existing model in U3DP)

SLM 280HL Twin Laser System

Technology	Selective Laser Melting (SLM)
Laser Power	400W & 400W * each lasers works for half of the platform simultaneously
Building Platform	280mm x 280mm x 350mm
Layer Thickness	20-75 µm
Min. scan line / wall thickness	150µm / 1mm
Operational beam focus	80 - 120µm
Material	Ti alloy, Al alloy, Stainless Steel, CoCr Alloy, Inconel, etc.
Application	Aviation, Medical Implant, High-strength Lightweight Lattice Structure Components
Website	https://www.slm-solutions.com/products-and-solutions/machines/slm-280/ (the latest model for reference) SLM280HL brochure (the existing model in U3DP)

SLM 125HL Single Laser System

Technology	Selective Laser Melting (SLM)
Laser Power	400W
Building Platform	125 mm x 125 mm x 75 mm
Layer Thickness	20 - 75 µm
Min. scan line / wall thickness	140 - 160 µm
Operational beam focus	60 / 70 - 90 µm
Material	Ti Alloy, Al Alloy, SS316, CoCr Alloy, Inconel, etc.
Application	Aviation, Medical Implant, High-strength Lightweight Lattice Structure Components
Website	https://www.slm-solutions.com/products-and-solutions/machines/slm-125 SLM125HL brochure

Plastic 3D Printers - Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)

Stratasys Fortus 900MC

Technology	Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)
Building Platform	914 mm x 609 mm x 914 mm
Layer Thickness	0.125 mm – 0.33 mm
No. of extruder	2 (1 for model, 1 for support)
Material	Biocompatible Material: ABS M30i, PC ISO High Performance Thermoplastic: UTLEM, PPSF Compatible with Soluble Support
Application	3DP Fixture, Composite Mould Tooling, Production Parts
Website	https://www.stratasys.com/en/3d-printers/printer-catalog/fdm-printers/f900-printer/ Fortus900mc brochure

Stratasys Fortus 450MC

Technology	Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)
Building Platform	406 mm x 355 mm x 406 mm
Layer Thickness	0.125 - 0.330 mm
No. of extruder	2 (1 for model, 1 for support)
Material	Biocompatible Material: ABS M30i, PC ISO High Performance Thermoplastic: UTLEM1010, FDM Nylon 12 Compatible with Soluble Support
Application	Industrial Design, 3DP Injection Mould, End Use Parts
Website	https://www.stratasys.com/en/3d-printers/printer-catalog/fdm-printers/fortus-450mc/

CreatBot D600

Technology	Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)
Building Platform	Single Extrusion: 600mm x 600mm x 600mm Dual Extrusion: 540mm x 600mm x 600mm
Layer Thickness	0.05 mm
No. of extruder	2 (1 for high temperature, 1 for low temperature)
Material	PLA, ABS, Carbon Fiber, Wood, Nylon, PC, PETG, HIPS, PP, Flexible, TPU, PVA, etc.
Applications	Industrial Design, 3DP Injection Mould, End Use Parts
Website	https://www.creatbot.com/en/creatbot-d600.html

Ultimaker S5

Technology	Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)
Building Platform	330mm x 240mm x 330mm
Layer Thickness	0.1 - 0.2 mm
No. of extruder	2
Materials	PLA, Tough PLA, Nylon, ABS, CPE, CPE+, PC, TPU 95A, PP, PVA, Breakaway
Application	Industrial Design, End Use Parts
Website	https://ultimaker.com/3d-printers/ultimaker-s5 brochure_Ultimaker_S5

Bambu Lab X1 carbon

Technology	Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Building Platform	256 mm x 256 mm x 256mm
Layer Thickness	0.1 mm
No. of extruder	1
Material	PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, ASA, PVA, PET, PA, PC, Carbon / Glass fiber reinforced polymer (up to four different colors in one model)
Application	Design Realization
Website	Bambu Lab X1 carbon

MakerBot Replicator +

Technology	Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Building Platform	295 mm x 195 mm x 165mm
Layer Thickness	0.1 mm
No. of extruder	1
Material	PLA Filament
Application	Design Realization
Website	https://www.makerbot.com/3d-printers/replicator/

Plastic 3D printers - Fused Granulate Fabrication (FGF)

Piocreat G5 Pro

Technology	Fused granulate fabrication (FGF)
Building Platform	500mm x 500mm x 500mm
Layer Thickness	0.2-1mm
No. of extruder	1
Extruder temperature	<=450°C
Heated bed temperature	<=150°C
Material	PLA, PETG, ABS, PA6, PS, GPPS, PP, TPE, TPU, etc.
Applications	Industrial Design, 3DP Injection Mould, End Use Parts
Website	https://www.piocreat3d.com/product-18.html brochure_Piocreat_G5Pro

Plastic 3D Printers - Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

Sinterit Lisa Pro

Technology	Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
Building Platform	150 mm x 200 mm x 260 mm
Layer Thickness	75 - 175 µm
Material	PA12, PA11, TPU, TPE & PP Powder
Application	Engineering Application, Design Realization
Website	https://sinterit.com/3dprinters/lisa-pro/

Resin 3D Printers - PolyJet

Stratasys J850 3DFashion

Technology	PolyJet
Building Platform	3DFashion Mode: 460mm x 360mm x 100mm PRIME Mode: 460mm x 360mm x 200mm
Layer Thickness	14 / 27 µm
Material	up to 7 base resins Digital Material Over 500,000 Colours PANTONE validated Rubber-like Materials in a variety of Shore A values Transparent VeroClear & VerUltraClear VeroUltra White / Black Soluble Support
Applications	Fashion 3DP, Composite Mould Tooling, Production Parts, Digital Anatomy
Website	brochure_Stratasys_J850_3DFashion

Stratasys J750

Technology	PolyJet
Building Platform	490 mm x 390 mm x 200 mm
Layer Thickness	14 / 27 µm
Material	Digital Material Over 360,000 Colours Digital Anatomy (upgraded) Rubber-like Materials Transparent VerClear Material Soluble Support
Application	3DP Fixture, Composite Mould Tooling, Production Parts, Digital Anatomy
Website	Stratasys J750 brochure

Resin 3D Printers - Direct Light Processing (DLP)

LuxCreo 3Li+

Technology	Direct Light Processing (DLP)
Building Platform	400 mm x 259 mm x 380 mm
Resolution	2560 x 1600 ppi
Material	EM+23 (black) elastic DRM III (Orange) protoype material
Application	Elastic material, Footwear, etc.
Website	LuxCreo 3Li+ brochure

EnvisionTEC Perfactory 4

Technology	Direct Light Processing (DLP)
Building Platform	160 mm x 100 mm x 230 mm
Layer Thickness	25 - 100 µm
Material	ABStuff, ABSflex Flexible Resin, High Temperature Resin (140 DegC), Casting Wax, Hearing Aid Material
Application	Jewelry, Dental, Hearing Aid Application, etc.
Website	Envisiontec P4 standard brochure

3DSystems Figure 4

Technology	Digital Light Processing (DLP)
Building Platform	124.8mm x 70.2mm x 196mm
Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixel
Material	Rigid and durable materials with thermoplastic-like behaviors, rubber-like, castable, heat resistant, and biocompatible capable materials.
Application	Functional prototyping, direct production of end-use parts, molding and casting
Website	https://www.3dsystems.com/3d-printers/figure-4-standalone 3D systems figure4 brochure

Resin 3D Printers - Stereolithography (SLA)

Formlabs Form 3+

Technology	Low Force Stereolithography (LFS)
Building Platform	145mm x 145 mm x 185 mm
Layer Thickness	25-300µm
Material	Standard Resins, Dental Resins, Medical Resins, Specialty Resins
Application	Engineering Application, Design Realization
Website	https://formlabs.com/3d-printers/form-3/

Ceramic 3D Printer - Direct Light Processing (DLP)

Admatec Admaflex 130

Technology	DLP
Building Platform	96 mm x 54 mm x 110 mm
Full HD light engine	1920px (96mm) x 1080px (54mm) @ 50um
Layer Thickness	15 -100 um
Material	Alumina (Al₂O₃), Zirconia (ZrO₂), Silica (SiO₂)
Application	Ceramic printing
Website	https://admateceurope.com/admaflex130 brochure Admaflex 130

Silicone / Biomaterial / Food 3D Printer - Material Extrusion

SanDraw S300

Technology	Fluid Additive Manufacturing (FAM)
Building Platform	235mm x 270mm x 150mm
No. of barrel	3 (Model: A+B; Support: 1 or Model: 3)
No. of extruder	2 (Model: 1 + Support: 1 or Model: 2)
Material	A+B silicone, hydrogel, ceramic gel, food gel, etc.
Application	Medical parts, robot parts, silicone mold, insole, aesthetic medicine
Website	https://www.sandraw.com/product-page/s300 brochure SanDraw S300

EnvisionTEC 3D-Bioplotter (Under repair)

Technology	Bioprinting
Building Platform	150 mm x 150 mm x 140 mm
Available of Print Head	Low-Temp 0°- 70°C High-Temp 30°- 250°C UV Curing Head (365 nm)
Layer Thickness	0.08 - 0.32 mm
Material	Biomaterial: Hydroxyapatite, PLLA, PLGA, PCL, etc.
Application	Bio-fabrication
Website	https://bioplotter.envisiontec.com/3d-printers/3d-bioplotter/manufacturer-series/

Natural Machines Foodini (3D Food Printer)

Brochure	Natural Machines Foodini
Printing Volume	110 mm (Maximum height) 257 mm (Diameter)
Capsule Volume	Each capsule 100 ml Five capsules in total 500 ml
Material	Peanut Butter, Chocolate Sauce, Fresh Ingredients
Application	Food
Website	https://www.naturalmachines.com/

Printed Electronics 3D Printer - Aerosol Jetting

Optomec AJ300

Technology	Aerosol Jet Printing
Building Platform	300 mm x 300 mm x 50 mm
Size of Nozzle Head	100 - 300 µm
Layer Thickness	100 nm - 2 µm
Material	Silver Ink
Application	Embedded Passives, Printed Sensors, etc.
Website	https://www.optomec.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AJ-300-Systems-Web0417.pdf

3D Scanners

RangeVision Smart 3D Scanner

Technology	Structured White Light Scanning
Scanning Zone	Setting - 1	Setting - 2	Setting - 3
Measurement Volume (mm)	500 x 375 x 375	300 x 225 x 225	150 x 112 x 112
3D Resolution (mm)	0.4	0.24	0.12
Additional Features	Coloured Texture, with Turntable and Support Reference Target Scanning
Application	Sculpture, Jewellery Design, Artwork, Reverse Engineering
Website	brochure_RangeVision_Smart

Carl Zeiss Comet L3D 5M

Technology	Structured White Light Scanning
Scanning Zone	Setting - 1	Setting - 2
Measurement Volume (mm)	45 x 38 x 30	120 x 100 x 60
3D Resolution (mm)	0.018	0.05
Additional Features	Support Reference Target Scanning
Application	Quality Inspection, Reverse Engineering, Mould and Toolmaking
Website	brochure_ZEISS_COMET-L3D-2

Thor3D Scanner

Technology	Structured White Light Scanning (Handheld)
Scanning Distance (mm)	800 - 1500
Field of View (mm)	700 x 900
Capture Rate (fps)	10
3D Resolution (mm)	1
Additional Features	Handheld, Wireless, Colour Texture and Support Reference Target Scanning
Application	Human Body Scanning, Sculpture, Reverse Engineering and Large Object Scanning
Website	https://thor3dscanner.com/en/products/thor3d-discontinued/

Metal Powder Preparation Machine

3D LAB ATO Lab+ metal atomizer

Technology	Ultrasonic Atomization (metal powder production)
Melting method	TIG
Processable materials	non reactive & reactive metal alloys (e.g. Ti, Al, Zr alloys)
Powder quality	high flowability, spherical particles shape, narrow PSD, low oxygen content
PSD (particle size distribution)	20-120um
Input material	wire / rod
Website	https://metalatomizer.com/ brochure_ATO_atomizer

Plastic Filament Preparation Machine

Noztek Xcalibur Filament Extruder

Extruding Speeding	8-10m/minute or 2Kg/hour
Material	Polymer, High Temperature Thermoplastics, Metal Powdered Combinations
Application	For Filament Extruding
Website	https://noztek.com/product/full-filament-extrusion-system/

Metal Printing Post-processing Machine

DLyte100D+Ti - Grinding Finishing Machine

Associated Function	Grinding, Polishing
Application	For Dry Polishing, For Dental Applications
Treated materials	Metal, Stainless Steel, Steel, Titanium Alloys
Website	https://www.dlyte.es/_files/ugd/a976fd_d66e9df362b84289ae19a9cbbd9657d6.pdf

Ceramic Printing Post-Processing Machine

Water debinding Machine

Technology	Water debind
Temperature	Room temperature to 60degC
DI water purity	10-1uS
Flow rate	30L/hr

Nabertherm Thermal debind furnace

Model	Nabertherm L40/11BO
Tmax	1100 degC
Inner dimensions	320mm x 490mm x 250mm (WxDxH)
Internal volume	40 litre
Power	11.5kW 3-phase
Application	Thermal debinding for ceramic only

Nabertherm Thermal sintering furnace

Model	Nabertherm HT29/17
Tmax	1750 degC
Inner dimensions	275mm x 300mm x 350mm (WxDxH)
Internal volume	29 litre
Power	8kW 3-phase
Application	Thermal sintering for ceramic only

Printed Electronics Post-processing Machine

XENON X-1100 - High-Intensity Pulsed Light System

Energy to Lamp	37.5 - 2500 J/pulse
Max Power to Lamp, Continuous	750 J/sec
Pulse Length, Range	100 - 7000 µsec
Pulse Length, Increments	100µsec
Pulse Sequence Modes	Single, Burst, Continuous
Application	Sintering Sliver, Copper Nano Conductive and Metallic Inks, etc.
Website	https://xenoncorp.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/X-1100-Brochure-June2019.pdf

Resin Printing Post-Processing Machines

Formlabs Form Wash

Bucket volume	8.6L
Max. part size	145 x 145 x 175mm
Agitation Method	Magnetically coupled impeller
Solvent	IPA
Application	Resin washing
Website	https://formlabs.com/asia/post-processing/wash-cure/tech-specs/

Formlabs Form Cure

Turntable diameter	19.3cm
Max. part height	18.5cm
Max. cure chamber	80degC
Light source	9.1W radiant @ 405nm
Application	Resin curing
Website	https://formlabs.com/asia/post-processing/wash-cure/tech-specs/

FDM Printing Post-Processing Machine

WaterWorks

Technology	Ultrasonic hot water bath
Applications	Remove water soluble supports

PolyJet Printing Post-Processing Machine

Water Jet Machine

Technology	Water Jet
Pressure	20-120bar
Applications	Remove excessive resin / support

Powder Analyzers

Malvern Mastersizer 3000 Particle Size Analyzer

Principe	Laser Light Scattering
Size Range	10 nm - 3.5 mm
Dispersion accessories	Aero S (Dry powder dispersion unit) for dry powder Hydro SM (Wet dispersion unit) for samples need to be dispersed in non-aqueous dispersants where solvent usage needs to be minimized from 50ml - 120ml)
Materials	Suspensions, Emulsions, Dry Powders
Website	https://www.malvernpanalytical.com/en/products/product-range/mastersizer-range/mastersizer-3000

Malvern Morphologi 4 - Particle analyzer

Technology	Static automated imaging
Particle size	0.5 μm – 1300 μm
Particle properties measured	Size, shape, transparency, count, location
Particle size / shape / transparency parameters	Size: Circle equivalent (CE) diameter, length, width, perimeter, area, maximum distance, sphere equivalent (SE) volume, fiber total length, fiber width; Shape: Aspect ratio, circularity, convexity, elongation, high sensitivity (HS) circularity, solidity, fiber elongation, fiber straightness; Transparency: Intensity mean, intensity standard deviation
PSD (particle size distribution)	20-120um
Lens (and particle size range)	2.5x: 8.5 µm – 1300 µm (nominal) 5x: 4.5 µm – 520 µm (nominal) 10x: 2.5 µm – 260 µm (nominal) 20x: 1.5 µm – 130 µm (nominal) 50x: 0.5 µm – 50 µm (nominal)
Website	https://www.malvernpanalytical.com/en/products/product-range/morphologi-range/morphologi-4/ brochure_Malvern_Morphologi_4

FreeMan FT4 Powder Rheometer

Technology	Powder Rheometer
Compliances	EN61000-3-2:2001 EN61000-3-3: 1995 EN61326: 1997 + A2:2001 ASTM D7891
Performance	Force: +/- 50N maximum Torque: 0.0001N resolution +/- 900mNm maximum 0.002mNm resolution Vertical travel: 185mm Rotor speed: 120 rpm maximum Axial speed: 30 mm/sec maximum Residual energy level in air: < 2mJ
Website	https://www.freemantech.co.uk/powder-testing/ft4-powder-rheometer-powder-flow-tester brochure_ft4-powder-rheometer

APPLICATION

The sky’s the limit.

Some major applications of 3D Prints in the early days were to develop prototypes of new parts and devices in a more efficient way and in low cost. With the rapid development of the technologies and facilities, 3D Printing has now entered the world of nearly all industries and fields.

Researchers and educators are encouraged to utilize this technology and U3DP’s facilities to excel their novel research and innovations.

Popular applications are now found in