Resin 3D printing end use parts

Resin 3D printing is becoming increasingly popular amongst professionals faced with a wide range of use cases. As the technology advances, new materials, processes, and applications are emerging. This post explores some of the most common end-use applications for resin 3D printed objects, including the use of elastomers.

1. Manufacturing

Resin 3D printing is a popular choice to produce small and medium-scale production runs for products that have a short shelf life or are highly customizable. With the availability of different resins, materials that simulate the properties of engineering plastics, rubbers, and even metal can be used to produce durable, strong and functional parts and products, for example, hard and flexible phone cases.

Resin 3D printing can also be used for prototyping and manufacturing in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods. The ability to produce high-quality, functional prototypes and test designs without the need for expensive fabrication equipment helps to save time and reduce costs in the production cycle.

2. Jewelry and Fashion Accessories

One of the most popular applications for resin 3D printing is the creation of unique jewelry pieces and fashion accessories. The precision and quality of 3D printing have opened up new possibilities for designers to create complex shapes, intricate details, and customizable pieces. Resin printers can produce high-resolution objects with a smooth surface finish, making them ideal for jewelry and other types of design. Furthermore, resin 3D printing allows designers to experiment with a range of materials, such as castable resin for lost-wax casting or flexible resins for creating elastic or bendable accessories, including watch bands, bracelets, and earrings. (more in our next Blog post)

3. Dental and Medical Applications

Resin 3D printing has also found significant applications in the world of dental and medical devices. With its high accuracy, resolution, and versatility, 3D printing resin opens up new possibilities for creating personalized and customized prosthetics, implants, surgical tools, and medical models.

Thanks to the biocompatibility of some types of resin, such devices can be produced that are safe for implantation and for use in contact with bodily fluids. For example, clear resin can be used to create transparent medical models to help surgeons study complex anatomical structures before a procedure, while biocompatible resins can be used to produce custom-fit dental crowns or orthotic insoles.

4. Architecture, Art, and Design

As architects, designers, and artists embrace the power of 3D printing technology, resin 3D printing is finding a place in these industries as well. The ability to produce complex and intricate geometries that would be challenging or impossible to fabricate by traditional means has enabled designers and architects to create innovative sculptures, installations, and models.

The precision and surface finish of resin 3D printing also make it a great choice for creating exhibition models, detailed architectural models or mock-ups of complex machinery.

5.Elastomer Applications

Elastomers are a class of polymers with exceptional elastic properties, including flexibility, toughness, and resistance to damage. Resin 3D printing technologies have advanced to include materials such as Soft-tough elastomers, which mimics some of the properties of elastomers.

Elastomers are increasingly becoming popular for 3D printing end-use applications as they offer great flexibility and strength. And with the advent of the flexible resin, 3D printing users can produce a wide range of functional elastomeric parts that can perform different functions.

Applications of elastomers include, but are not limited to, wearable devices like sports bands, shoe soles, toys that bend, grip and stretch, biomedical devices such as implants and drug delivery systems, as well as Product design, such as grips for ergonomic tools, seals, and gaskets.

Resin 3D printing is a game-changer for various industries, and its numerous capabilities are continuously expanding. Today, with the availability of different resin materials, users can produce functional, durable, and complex objects with exceptional detail, strength, and flexibility. From jewelry and fashion accessories to dental implants and surgical tools, resin 3D printing is set to revolutionize the way we design, prototype, and manufacture various products. And with the use of elastomers, the range of end-use applications of resin 3D printed objects is boundless. The prospects and possibilities of resin 3D printing are immense, and only time can uncover what more the technology can do.