A Strong Black Thermoplastic Enters the Digital Factory

3D Systems announces the general availability of a new black photopolymer suitable for large volume production 3D printing. Production Black 10 (PRO-BLK 10) for the Figure 4 Modular 3D printing production system offers a wide variety of use cases as part of the company’s new Digital Factory initiative.  

3D Systems says Figure 4 PRO-BLK 10 delivers on the promise of additive manufacturing to deliver true direct digital production of plastic parts. PRO-BLK 10 allows fast printing on the Figure 4, with simplified post-processing that includes a single curing cycle and single solvent cleaning. 

The company says this new photopolymer material delivers exceptional throughput at high volume. It is a high precision resin, producing parts with a smooth surface finish and strong sidewall quality. 3D Systems says Its mechanical properties and long-term environmental stability bring a new level of quality assurance to 3D production.

Figure 4 PRO-BLK 10 exhibits thermoplastic behaviors, which 3D Systems says provides a combination of speed, accuracy, strength, and durability previously only associated with injection molding output. The material works with a simple isopropyl alcohol (IPA) wash and does not require a secondary thermal post-cure process. This shortened post-production processing significantly improves throughput yield and significantly reduces the extensive solvent cleaning cycles required by competing technologies. 

The Figure 4 can print PRO-BLK 10 at up to 62 mm/hr at 50 micron layer thickness. It offers 70°C heat deflection temperature and 12% elongation at break. The company sais such characteristics make it an ideal choice for tool-less, same day direct production of small black plastic parts such as motor housings, connectors, snap-fits, automotive interior and other general-use parts. 

PRO-BLK 10 is the newest addition to the line of print materials available for the Figure 4 production additive manufacturing system. The Figure 4 platform is a flexible production system capable of growing with business demands. It offers a high-volume production solution for thermoplastic parts requiring high surface quality, strength, and fidelity. 3D Systems says the time reductions inherent in each step of the plastics manufacturing process make using the Figure 4 much faster than using traditional injection molding in most applications. 

Key Mechanical Properties of PRO-BLK 10 include:

• Tensile Strength, Ultimate: 63 MPa;
• Elongation at break: 12%;
• Tensile modulus: 2320 MPa;
• Impact strength (notched Izod): 24 J/m; and
• Heat Deflection Temperature @ 0.455 MPa: 70°C.

3D Systems says using PRO-BLK 10 in the Figure 4 offers production and lifecycle product advantages. These include improved environmental stability of mechanical and performance properties over time; fast throughput for part-in-hand with no secondary thermal cure required; a simple, single solvent cleaning; excellent surface quality and repeatability; and accurate, low distortion material for fast first article print success.

For more information on Professional Black 10 (PRO-BLK 10) for the 3D Systems Figure 4 Modular 3D printer, download the data sheet here.  

For a video on how Midwestern Prototyping uses the Figure 4 Modular to deliver test parts the same day as requested, click here.  

See why DE’s Editors selected PRO-BLK 10 for the 3D Systems Figure 4 Modular 3D printer as their Pick of the Week. 

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.

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