{"id":1216,"date":"2020-12-04T00:13:11","date_gmt":"2020-12-04T00:13:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gorillaoutput.com\/?p=1216"},"modified":"2020-12-19T00:58:35","modified_gmt":"2020-12-19T00:58:35","slug":"what-is-curing-in-3d-printing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gorillaoutput.com\/what-is-curing-in-3d-printing\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Curing In 3D Printing?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post will teach you about curing in 3D printing. The concept of curing in 3D printing is very broad. But having studied wide on it, our team decided to put together this article to explain what post-curing is in 3D printing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is curing in 3D printing? Curing (or post-curing, as some people call it) is the process of applying UV light and heat to improve the stability and strength of 3D printed images. This process is particularly important for Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing, which uses functional UV-sensitive resin.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post-curing allows the parts of a 3D printed image to attain their highest possible level of strength. But then, there are different methods of curing. And different resins require different degrees of temperature and duration of exposure. As you read on, we will tell you more about curing for 3D printing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"What<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What Is The Reason For Curing 3D Resins?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you cure 3D resins by exposing it to light, new chemical bonds begin to form within the 3D printed part. Existing bonds also become stronger. As these happen, the material becomes stronger, more stable, and stiffer. The UV light for post-curing can come from a curing device or sunlight. But UV curing under sunlight is slower<\/a> and weather conditions can affect curing when you use sunlight.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The advantage of using sunlight is that it automatically combines light and heat. But the UV wavelength and temperature depend on the weather condition per time. Thankfully, some post-curing UV chambers also apply heat. Heat application makes the process faster and makes the bonds form more completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some post-curing units use 405nm, while some use wavelengths as low as 10 nm. This means that any light wavelength can achieve curing<\/a> but time requirement and the consistency of curing may differ. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to know the ideal wavelength for your 3D parts. We\u2019ll talk more about the factors for selecting a post-curing method later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do You Cure 3D Resin Prints?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The several methods of post-curing in 3D printing include the simple use of light, as well as using both light and heat. Sources of light for post-curing include UV lamps, sunlight, UV nail salons, UV cure stations, and DIY UV curing boxes, among others. As regards heat, high temperatures accelerate curing and allow the bond to form better.  The combination of light and heat leads to more stable and tougher material properties than what light alone can achieve.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since there are different post-curing methods, you must carefully consider your options before choosing a suitable method for your 3D prints. Some of these factors include the type of material you are using, the size of your image, and its intended application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lets\u2019 examine these different factors below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Factors for Selecting a Post-Curing Method<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Type of Material<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Different resin formulations have a certain range of light wavelengths that will best maximize their mechanical properties. Examples of material types include standard resin, rigid resin, and Grey Pro resin, among others. Most of these resins need 405nm light for post-curing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Complexity and Size<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

You can cure small prints with simple UV nail salons, which are usually quite cheap. But if your 3D parts are more complex or the image is larger, you will need a curing unit that provides even exposure. These units have a balanced light source and a turntable that rotates, among other things. These features ensure that curing is consistent throughout the 3D image. For larger images, you may also need a unit that applies both heat and light to make the process faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intended Application<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If your applications require high dimensional accuracy<\/a>, you should use an appropriate unit specifically designed for the material(s) you are using. Dental applications and other prototyping products rely on clear-cut fit and have tight tolerances. So you can\u2019t use generic curing solutions for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the application does not require great accuracy, it means tolerance is more flexible. You can use generic curing solutions for such applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2705 Video – How to Build an SLA 3D Print Resin Curing Oven<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In this video, Sean Charlesworth will show you the step by step process on how to create an effective generic curing solution for resin parts. Even if you do not intend to build a resin curing oven, this video will help you understand the different components of curing stations and how they work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n