What is multi-color material jetting technology?
Multi-color material jetting technology is an advanced 3D printing method that precisely deposits tiny droplets of liquid photopolymer resin in multiple colors, which are then cured layer by layer using UV light. This technology enables full-color, high-resolution prints with smooth gradients and intricate details. By mixing different resin colors during the multi-color resin 3D printing process, it achieves vibrant, realistic results without the need for post-processing. Widely used in product design, medical modeling, and 3D portrait figurines, multi-color material jetting is ideal for applications requiring accurate color representation and fine detail, such as consumer electronics, anatomical models, and visual prototypes.
Multi-Color Wide Jet Printing
Wide Jet Printing sprays tiny droplets of colored resin across a wide area and then cures them with UV light. This method prints quickly and can create large, full-color models with smooth color transitions. Since it covers a broad surface in one pass, it is great for architectural models, large-scale prototypes, and 3D-printed portrait figurines where size and efficiency matter. However, it has less precision in mixing colors compared to other methods, making it better for general full-color applications rather than highly detailed prints.
Multi-Color PolyJet Technology
PolyJet technology also jets liquid resin but in much thinner layers, curing each one instantly with UV light. It can blend multiple colors and materials in a single print, creating smooth textures, fine details, and realistic gradients. This makes it ideal for medical models, product prototypes, and high-detail 3D printed portrait figurines, where lifelike colors and intricate features are essential. PolyJet is best when precision and material variety are needed, though it may take longer to print than Wide Jet Printing.
What are the key features of multi-color resin 3D printing?
Full-Color Capability with Smooth Gradients
Multi-color resin 3D printing can produce vibrant, detailed models with seamless color transitions. By precisely mixing different colored resins, it achieves lifelike textures and realistic shading, making it perfect for the 3D- printed portrait figurines, product prototypes, and medical models.
High Resolution and Fine Detail
This technology prints in ultra-thin layers, capturing intricate details like facial features, textures, and small lettering. The high resolution makes it ideal for realistic prototypes, jewelry design, and fine art reproductions.
Material Versatility and Transparency Options
The main tech of multi-color resin 3D printing is material jetting, especially PolyJet. It allows blending the different resin types, enabling combinations of rigid, flexible, or transparent materials in a single print. This is pretty useful for medical visualization, product design, and packaging prototypes, which are fit for different materials in detail.
Complex Multi-Material Printing
Unlike traditional single-material 3D printing, multi-color resin printing can integrate multiple material properties in one model. Also, it can print complex model designs and support models with greater details. This is beneficial for functional prototypes, engineering parts, and medical prosthetics that require varying hardness, flexibility, or transparency.
Post-Processing for a Polished Finish
After color resin printing finishing, 3D models often require cleaning, UV curing, and sometimes additional coating or polishing to achieve the final look. This step ensures that marketing prototypes, concept models, and educational tools have the best possible finish and durability.
How does multi-color material jetting tech work?
Preparing the Digital Model
The resin 3D printing process begins with a 3D digital model, usually created in CAD software. The 3D model is then sliced into thin layers, and the printer software assigns color and material properties to each section before printing.
Jetting Liquid Photopolymer Resin
The multi-color resin 3D printer's nozzles precisely jet tiny droplets of liquid photopolymer resin onto the build platform. Multiple print heads work simultaneously to deposit different colors and material types in a single pass, ensuring smooth gradients and complex textures.
UV Curing for Instant Solidification
Each layer of resin is instantly cured with UV light, hardening the material and bonding it to the previous layer. This step ensures high precision and prevents color bleeding between layers.
Layer-by-Layer Build Process
The printer continues depositing and curing resin layer by layer until the full model is complete. This ultra-thin layering enables high-resolution details, realistic textures, and smooth color transitions.
Post-Processing and Finishing
Once the multi-color resin 3D printing is done, the 3D model requires cleaning to remove support material and excess resin. Additional steps like sanding, polishing, or applying coatings may be needed to enhance surface quality and durability, especially for 3D-printed portrait figurines, prototypes, and medical models.
Which 3D Printers Excel in Multi-Color Resin Printing?
Sailner J402Plus Multi-Color Resin 3D Printer
The Sailner J402Plus multi-color resin 3D printer uses Wide Jet Printing technology, which sprays liquid resin over a wide area and cures it with UV light. This allows for fast, full-color printing with smooth gradients and solid colors. It is great for large models, product prototypes, and 3D-printed portrait figurines. With its high-speed production and consistent color quality, it is widely used in consumer products, education, and mass customization.
Stratasys J850 Prime Full Color 3D Printer
The Stratasys J850 Prime Full Color 3D printer uses PolyJet technology, which jets thin layers of colored resin and cures them instantly. This printer offers sharp details, smooth textures, and realistic color blending. It is ideal for medical models, high-end product prototypes, and professional 3D-printed portrait figurines. The J850 resin full-color 3D printer can also print with different materials, including transparent and flexible resins, making it perfect for detailed design and advanced prototyping.
