1 Topic by Tyr0ne

  • Tyr0ne
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  • Registered: 2013-04-18
  • Posts: 1

Topic: Cooling in industrial machines

Hi,
I am completely new to the 3D printing field and I am trying to get an idea of how the whole thing works. What keeps me wondering is the cooling issue in industrial applications. I can imagine that with certain methods (e.g. SLS) the machines get quite hot. And I know that in digital printing for instance chiller units need to be purchased and installed seperately in order to regulate the temperature of the ink and the air inside the machine. In laser appliances it is mainly the laser to be cooled.

How does that work in 3D printing?

Assuming I wanted to buy an industrial 3D printer, would the cooling unit be included in the printer itself or would I have to purchase a chiller from another company (e.g. MTA, Riedel, Hyfra, Lauda...)??

Cheers

2 Reply by MeshMoth

  • MeshMoth
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  • Registered: 2012-08-08
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Re: Cooling in industrial machines

These aren't industrial machines... They dont really "need" to be cooled either. The motors and electronics get hot so we add fans to them.

If you are inquiring about other machines it'd be best to contact the manufacturer. Most of the 3d printers ive used just have a built in fan and dont use any extra cooling. Solidscape requires a vacuum to suck out wax particles, and DWS doesnt use any external device besides another computer. But, nothing to keep anything cool, only to keep things hot.

Solidscape machines are garbage. Dont get one.

Stereolithography is probably the way to go. (Form 1, DWS, Envisiontec etc..) but you will probably need a vent so you dont die from the fumes.

Never tried objet or powder printers though so i cant say for those. Maybe if you bought a printer that prints metal pieces would require an extra cooling unit.