Z Corporation Unveils High-Resolution Prototyping System

By DE Editors

Z Corporation (Burlington, MA) has introduced the ZBuilder Ultra, a rapid prototyping machine that it says builds high-end functional prototypes in a durable polymer that rivals injection molding’s accuracy, material properties, detail, and surface finish. The system is designed to enable engineers to verify designs for form, fit, and function, eliminating costly modifications to production tooling and shortening time to market.

The ZBuilder Ultra builds 3D parts additively using a high-resolution Digital Light Processor (DLP) projector to solidify a liquid photopolymer. A benefit of the DLP-based process is that it produces a entire cross-section at once, which increases printing speed. System speed is independent of the number of parts in your build job. Parts reportedly appear injection-molded and exhibit an “ultra-smooth surface finish,” with sharp details and no stair-stepping.

Key specifications include 0.005 inch (138 micron) minimum feature size and part feature accuracy within +/- 0.008 inches (+/- 0.2 mm). The ZBuilder Ultra has a 10.2 x 6.3 x 7.5 inch (260 x 160 x 190 mm) build size and a vertical build speed of up to 0.5 inch/hour (12.7 mm/hour). It accepts STL, 3DS, DXF, OBJ, WRL, and ZPR input file formats.

“ZBuilder is the ideal addition to our product line, enabling customers to streamline the entire product development cycle,” said Z Corporation CEO John Kawola, in a press statement. “For concept and mid-stage modeling when you need speed, low cost, and visual appeal, our ZPrinters are the fastest and only color 3D printers on the market. And when the material properties of a part are important for final design verification, the affordable ZBuilder delivers parts that rival injection-molding. Bottom line, engineers now have a single source for the best design technologies.”

The ZBuilder Ultra will be available in July through Z Corporation’s worldwide reseller network. Its suggest price is $34,900. For complete details, go to Z Corporation.

Watch a video on the the ZBuilder Ultra.

See the ZBuilder Ultra's specifications.

Check out the material properties for the ZBuilder Ultra.

Download the ZBuilder Ultra brochure.

Read why DE's Editors selected the ZBuilder Ultra as their Pick of the Week.