by Jackie Johnson Jackie Johnson No Comments

The Different Types of 3D Printing, Part 2

Last week, we talked about a few of the 3D printing technologies that are on the market. Today’s blog post is a continuation of last week’s post, with even more 3D printing methods to discuss!

DLP

Digital Light Processing (or DLP) uses a projector to cure photopolymer resin. DLP printing is very similar to SLA, the differencing being the use of a safelight instead of a UV laser. Also, like SLA, DLP creates highly detailed objects with very little visible layers. And while DLP can print much faster than SLA, the objects printed have similar properties.  Benefits of DLP printing include:

  • Highly Reliable System
  • High Quality Prints
  • Easier to Maintain than SLA Printers
  • Cheaper than Most SLA Printers

MJF

Multi Jet Fusion (or MJF), developed by HP, is unique in that it uses inkjet to create a 3D-object. An inkjet array selectively applies fusing and detailing agents across a bed of nylon powder, which are then fused by heating elements into a solid layer. This process repeats itself until the object is formed. After that, the entire powder bed is moved to a processing station where loose powder is removed and then bead blasted and dyed. Benefits of MJF printing include:

  • Lowest Cost to Print
  • More Design Flexibility
  • No Supports Needed
  • Benefits of Being Backed by HP

DMLS

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (or DMLS) is one of the best ways to make functional metal prototypes and parts. The process begins by sintering each layer with a laser aimed onto a bed of metallic powder. The powder is then micro-welded and the process is repeated layer by layer until an object is formed. Benefits of DMLS include:

  • Ability to Print Complex Parts
  • High Quality Prints
  • Rapid Print Speed
  • Print is Strong and Durable

EBM

Electron Beam Melting (or EBM) is very similar to SLS printing. There are, however, several key differences- the most significant differences being that the energy source comes from an electron beam instead of a CO2 laser, and that EBM printers work with conductive metal instead of thermoplastic polymers. The benefits of EBM printing are:

  • High Density Prints
  • Fast Printing Process
  • Non-Sintered Powder can be Recycled
  • Fewer Supports Needed

3D printing has evolved and expanded since it’s beginnings in the 1970s. Since then, there have been several different 3D printing technologies created, each with their own pros and cons. Regardless of material used, time and budget, there is a printer for you.

by Jackie Johnson Jackie Johnson No Comments

The Illustrious History of PTFE

Spring Energized PTFE Seals

Today PTFE is one of the most widely used materials in the world. So, it may come as a surprise to learn that it was discovered entirely by accident!

How was PTFE discovered? In April of 1938, Dr. Roy Plunkett and his assistant Jack Rebok were working as chemists at DuPont’s Chemors Jackson Laboratory in New Jersey. On the night of the 6th, they stored the gas they were experimenting on (tetrafluoroethylene) in small cylinders where they were then frozen and compressed.

When the men returned the next day, they discovered that the gas they stored was gone. When they released the nozzle of the cylinders, no gas was released. Thinking this odd, they split the cylinders open to find the gas had turned into a solid, white, and waxy material.

This material would later become known as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) or better known by its brand name Teflon.

The History of PTFE

Dr. Plunkett continued research on this strange new material and found that it was not only one of the slipperiest materials known, but that it also had several other incredible properties such as:

  • Non-Corrosive
  • Chemically Stable
  • Extremely High Melting Point

In 1941, Kinetic Chemicals Inc, a company founded by DuPont and General Motors, patented the new fluorinated plastic. In 1945 the name Teflon was trademarked. By 1948, Kinetic Chemicals was making over two million pounds of the Teflon brand PTFE.

PTFE-Coated Cookware

It wasn’t until 1954, when French-woman Collette Grégoire, wife of engineer Marc Grégoire, asked him to try the material he had been using on fishing tackle on her cooking pans. He subsequently created the first non-stick pans under the brand name Tefal (which is an amalgamation of “Tef” from “Teflon” and “al” from aluminum). The first PTFE-coated pan was introduced in the US in 1961 as “the Happy Pan”. Since then, non-stick cookware has been a staple in kitchens around the world.

Aside from cookware, PTFE has been used in a wide variety of applications, from food processing to the space industry. In fact, PTFE was used in the initial moon landing in 1969, as it was the only plastic that could withstand the extreme atmosphere of space.

Since then, PTFE has become a staple in our everyday lives and will continue to be so for many more years to come.

Need PTFE sealing solutions? Contact us today for more information!