resin printer lcd screen factory

Far more than just a device able to make calls, send emails, play music, take pictures, and share those pictures on social media, cell phones are capable of amazing feats when paired with 3D printing. They can be turned into microscopes and other medical devices, and even be used to power a 3D printer. But another trend that’s picking up steam is using your smartphone as an actual 3D printer.

Back in 2015, researchers from MIT were working to develop new algorithms that could harness polarized light from smartphones for 3D printing. That very same year, we first heard about the OLO (now called the ONO), the world’s first smartphone 3D printer. 2015 was clearly an important time for this type of work, as a professor of mechanical engineering at Taiwan Tech also created a smartphone-based 3D printer that year. In just about all of these cases, light emanating from the phone’s screen was used to cure resin, rather than using UV lights.

“Instead of using a laser or a projector to cure the polymer, we use unmodified LCD screens and our specially formulated Daylight polymer,” the company’s website reads. “All other 3D printers that polymerise resin use a combination of both daylight and UV light at considerably higher intensities. We have been able to make this work by developing the world’s most sensitive daylight resins. Utilising mass produced screens designed for use in mobiles, handheld devices enable us to use the highest resolution screens, offering phenomenal value for money, which we can then pass on to our customers. The opportunities are limitless; higher and higher resolution screens becoming available in all formats from mobiles to large format televisions provide the lowest cost imaging systems ever imagined. We call this Daylight Polymer Printing.”

While 3D printing is used for both small-scale and large-scale manufacturing across many industries, Photocentric, which holds patents in visible light curing technologies, believes that the technology still costs too much to be adopted on a wide scale. That’s why the company is focused on using the LCD screens we interact with every day on our TVs, smartphones, laptops, and tablets to transform 3D printing and make it less expensive.

To 3D print an object with resin-based 3D printers, the material is typically cured and hardened with a laser, or a digital light projector. But Photocentric is using LCD screen illumination to lower the cost of 3D printing, so that the technology can be used in more applications.

Now, Photocentric is totally focused on powering 3D printing using the illumination from LCD screens, mostly from the visible part of the spectrum, which is required when it comes to visual display screens. This could be the future of industrial 3D printing someday.

“Today it seems obvious that the highest resolution, largest format and lowest cost digital light source available is the visual display screen we all use in our pockets or on our walls,” said Paul Holt, the Founder of Photocentric. “But it can only work in 3D printing because our photopolymers can harden in light within the visible spectrum.

“We are now doing research into all formats of 3D printers with LCD screens from the nano – using tiny screens from near-eye virtual reality headsets – through to mobiles, tablets, right up to the largest TV screens. In fact, we just won a grant to manufacture what will be the largest 3D printer in the world, based on a 98-inch HDTV screen. Our goal is to change world manufacturing, not just 3D printing, by making 3D printing low cost, large scale and functional.”

In terms of making the technology more affordable, there are millions of LED screens manufactured by the electronics industry. It seems like nearly every quarter, cell phone, tablet, and TV screens change in size and affordability. If this industry takes its cue from Photocentric and focuses its R&D efforts on using these screens for 3D printing, the technology will inevitably become less expensive.

However, don’t expect to use your cell phone’s LCD screen to make large 3D printed objects. Regardless of how ingenious the idea is, the light output will likely be pretty low, and not enough to fabricate big parts. But it could be helpful when 3D printing lots of smaller objects.

“This time we are using light and a binder to fix the shape of a metal rich formulation using light from LCD screens,” Holt explained. “The object will then be slowly heated to remove the binder and sinter (fuse together) the metal. This technology can then be applied to all small-volume manufacturing of metal parts.”

Digital light processing (DLP) and liquid crystal display (LCD) 3D printing have similarities to stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing; each of these technologies uses a light source to cure the resin. A projector is used to cure photopolymer resins in DLP printing and UV LEDs are projected through and LCD screen for LCD 3D printing.

The process of printing using these technologies can be “top-down” or “bottom-up”. In “top-down” printing, the object being printed is lowered into the resin and returns to one layer lower than previous after each layer is cured. In “bottom-up” printing, the object being printed is pulled out of the resin and returns to one layer higher than the previous after each layer is cured. The process is repeated layer by layer until the shape is built.

LCD vs DLP technology: What are the differences between these resin 3D printing technologies? The liquid resin is contained within a vat, or tank, cured against a build platform, which slowly rises out of the tank as the part is formed, layer by layer. These two 3D printing technologies are quite similar, but here is the main difference: the light source.

LCD printing: A UV light coming from an array of LEDs shining through an LCD flashes complete layers at the resin tank. A screen is used to mask the entire image, only revealing the current layer for curing. LCD 3D printing is a cost-effective resin manufacturing technique to get big and detailed functional parts. This 3D printing technology focuses on mass manufacture and large component 3D printing for resin materials thanks to 3D printers with larger build tray developed by Photocentric for example.

DLP printing: The digital light projector is the light source of DLP 3D printers. The DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) is a component made of thousands of micromirrors that are contained within a semiconductor chip matrix. These micromirrors are used for navigating the light beam projected by the digital light projector.

Designed for use with FDM 3D printers, the 5” capacitive touchscreen display features a resolution of 800 x 480 and comes complete with IPS technology, providing a wider and more comfortable viewing angle. Beyond just 3D printers, however, the full-color Raspberry Pad 5 is also suitable for a variety of other tech applications like smart mirrors, digital photo frames, wall calendars, robotics, and even mini computers.

Eric Zhang, Founder of BIGTREETECH, said, “The Raspberry Pad 5 is an affordable mainboard solution for your 3D printer and other devices. Compatible with all series of the Raspberry Pi CM4 board, the device makes for a perfect main control board system. As well as 3D printing applications, it’s also intended for makers to use in a variety of DIY projects.”

Founded back in 2015, BIGTREETECH has become a big player in the game of 3D printer electronics, specializing in control boards, display screens, and driver boards. Over the past seven years, the company has shipped its products to over 100 countries across the world.

Under its BIQU brand, the firm also develops its own consumer-grade desktop FFF 3D printers. The first of these, the BIQU B1, was launched in June 2020 and shortly after in August 2020, the company launched its flagship BIQU BX on Kickstarter. The final printer in the portfolio is the user-friendly BIQU B1 SE PLUS.

BIGTREETECH’s Raspberry Pad 5 measures 121 x 75.9mm, while the actual screen size clocks in at 108 x 64.8mm. This is larger than the default touchscreens of most 3D printing systems, so you can expect it to grant users with a more premium-feeling control experience.

The LCD screen comes complete with two buttons on the side for adjusting the display brightness, and another button to flip the screen. It also sports a wide variety of interfaces to provide flexible connectivity options, including HDMI, 40 pin GPIO, RJ45 Ethernet, USB Type-C, three USB 2.0 slots, and a CSI Port.

When integrated with an FDM 3D printer, the Raspberry Pad 5 will need to be combined with a Raspberry Pi CM4 board and allows users to run Klipper firmware.

LCD driven 3D printers have been the most significant invention in Additive Manufacturing in the last 7 years and have become the go to choice for high resolution, low price printing.

To appreciate the benefits of our patented LCD print technology we have summarised the differences between it and other stereolithographic (SLA) or vat polymerisation 3D printing methods

DLP projectors became a widely used alternative to lasers being able to cure a much larger area the size of a mobile phone screen at 2k and 4K resolutions. The bulb and Digital Mirror Device need replacing and calibrating. Even though it can cure an area larger than a laser beam, it cant match an LCD for resolution, reliability or cost.

The laser beam cures liquid photopolymer resin at very high resolution. However, because of the necessity to create each part voxel by voxel this is a time-consuming process. The laser and its galvanometer require regular calibration and replacement.

The concept we invented. Using an LCD screen as a light source, an entire layer is encoded simultaneously, rather than small area by area. LCD printing benefits from one of the greatest technological advances of the last 50 years the use of visual display screens. It can produce much larger volumes than alternative methods, creating new products at rates previously unimaginable. The simplicity of the process is its strength, if using daylight as opposed to UV, the exposure is even and the machine stable for many years of use.

LCD driven 3D printers have been the most significant invention in Additive Manufacturing in the last 7 years and have become the go to choice for high resolution, low price printing.

To appreciate the benefits of our patented LCD print technology we have summarised the differences between it and other stereolithographic (SLA) or vat polymerisation 3D printing methods

DLP projectors became a widely used alternative to lasers being able to cure a much larger area the size of a mobile phone screen at 2k and 4K resolutions. The bulb and Digital Mirror Device need replacing and calibrating. Even though it can cure an area larger than a laser beam, it cant match an LCD for resolution, reliability or cost.

The laser beam cures liquid photopolymer resin at very high resolution. However, because of the necessity to create each part voxel by voxel this is a time-consuming process. The laser and its galvanometer require regular calibration and replacement.

The concept we invented. Using an LCD screen as a light source, an entire layer is encoded simultaneously, rather than small area by area. LCD printing benefits from one of the greatest technological advances of the last 50 years the use of visual display screens. It can produce much larger volumes than alternative methods, creating new products at rates previously unimaginable. The simplicity of the process is its strength, if using daylight as opposed to UV, the exposure is even and the machine stable for many years of use.

With our earliest granted visible light patent using LCD screens stretching back to Jan 2005 and 22 granted patents and a further 20 pending all concerned in innovations in 3D printing using LCD screens, we are the undisputed innovators in both LCD 3D printing and visible light polymerisation.

We use both daylight and UV in our LCD screen printers, but we prefer using visible light as the rate of cure through depth is more even and the screen suffers no light degradation, so in practice the printer can last a lifetime.

With our earliest granted visible light patent using LCD screens stretching back to Jan 2005 and 22 granted patents and a further 20 pending all concerned in innovations in 3D printing using LCD screens, we are the undisputed innovators in both LCD 3D printing and visible light polymerisation.

We use both daylight and UV in our LCD screen printers, but we prefer using visible light as the rate of cure through depth is more even and the screen suffers no light degradation, so in practice the printer can last a lifetime.

Our printers use an array of LEDs as a light source, shining near parallel highly collimated light through the LCD panel and onto the resin layer. As an entire layer is exposed simultaneously it is highly efficient.

Photocentric printers create product using a “bottom-up” process, where the object being printed is pulled up layer by layer attached to the print platform, rising out of the resin bath. The process is repeated until the object is built.

Our printers use an array of LEDs as a light source, shining near parallel highly collimated light through the LCD panel and onto the resin layer. As an entire layer is exposed simultaneously it is highly efficient.

Photocentric printers create product using a “bottom-up” process, where the object being printed is pulled up layer by layer attached to the print platform, rising out of the resin bath. The process is repeated until the object is built.

LCD screens are the most cost effective and reliable visual display device on the planet which is constantly improving in resolution and lowering in price.

It is highly effective and reliable and is used on our Liquid Crystal Opus printer. It allows our customers to enjoy maximum print performance reliability regardless of the shape being created.

Both DLP and LCD printers can print one full layer at a time, making them some of the fastest 3D printers available. An entry-level LCD printer costs $200 to $1,000. DLP printers start at $500 for entry-level printers and can go up to $100,000 for commercial use.

DLP is an older, more established technology than LCD printing. Though there are a lot of similarities between the two, the main difference is the light source used to cure the printing resin. DLP uses a high-intensity projector as a light source and directs it with thousands of tiny mirrors. LCD printers replace that setup with an LCD screen to mask the UV light which comes from an array of LED lights.

On the whole, LCD printers are constructed using cheaper components than DLP printers. However, LCD screens have shorter life spans than DLP mirror arrays. Plus, low-end screens tend to let light through in a less-than-uniform manner. This results in varying quality and precision from batch to batch and machine to machine.

DLP and LCD printers both employ liquid resin. DLP uses a high-power and higher-intensity light source that can operate on a wider range of resins. This gives DLP more options in terms of material quality. LCD printers, on the other hand, use low-intensity UV LEDs which require less viscous, fast-curing resins. This limits the types of material that can be used and impact the quality of the final product.

DLP is very accurate in narrow, small-scale prints. This makes it very useful for jewelry or dental implants, where precision is critical. LCD, on the other hand, is inexpensive and very accurate for the price point. This low price point makes it great for hobbyists. LCD is also ideal for when the price is more important than absolute precision. That can be valuable for industrial use, certain dental applications, and manufacturing.

DLP machines are available for hobbyists, professionals, and industrial applications that need large print volumes. LCD is a newer technology and has not caught on as much for industrial use. Therefore, large-volume LCD printers are not yet common, though this capability is gradually improving.

Less expensive versions of DLP and LCD systems can both have problems with surface finishes and print quality. DLP produces distortions on the edges of a print, especially in wide parts. LCD pieces can also come out imperfect due to inconsistencies in LEDs, especially with larger machines and larger prints. Both production methods must be followed by post-processing to finalize the parts’ surfaces. Generally, DLP parts come out with better surface finishes and print quality, especially with higher-end printers.

DLP and LCD are both available at affordable prices. An entry-level DLP printer can be purchased for as low as $500, while professional-grade types start at $2000. LCD printers, on the other hand, are available from $200 to $1,000.

There are a few technologies that are alternatives to both DLP and LCD printers. As an example:Stereolithography (SLA):SLA is a resin-based 3D printing technology known for its accuracy. It is similar to DLP and LCD in its use of photopolymer that is cured via UV light.

A 3D printing technology that shares similarities with LCD includes:LCD vs. SLS: SLS uses a laser to fuse powder into a 3D printed object. This is an established industrial technology that compares to LCD in terms of accuracy and printing speed.

Advancements in 3D printing, along with product complexity and different types of available processes have made it challenging to select the right 3D printer for high-volume manufacturing. Digital Light Processing (DLP) and LCD are two commonly implemented resin-based 3D printing technologies. The following compares DLP vs. LCD 3D printers, their unique features, and the subtle differences.

Resin-based 3D printing technologies (also known as vat-polymerization) such as stereolithography or SLA, DLP, and LCD involve curing a photosensitive resin using a light source that helps solidify the resin and create the printed product layer-by-layer. The post-processing steps include cleaning the excess uncured resin and exposure to UV light for final curing. However, the major difference lies in using different light sources for curing the resin.

Next-generation DLP and LCD 3D printing platforms built on LuxCreo’s LEAP™platform are delivering new capabilities that simplify manufacturing and enable high-volume production. LuxCreo’s LEAP™platform outperforms current DLP, LCD, and SLA printers by developing and tuning software, hardware, and resin to deliver new capabilities: high throughput, maximum batch size, and DigitalPolishing™.

DigitalPolishing™ eliminates 90% of the post-processing polishing labor allowing manufacturers to print clear, transparent parts with no polishing required, eliminating the Achilles heel of SLA, DLP, and LCD vat-polymerization systems.

How it works:In DLP 3D printers, a digital projector screen is used to flash an impression of a layer across the platform. The light is reflected on a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) — a semiconductor chip consisting of microscopic-sized mirrors/ lenses that direct the light towards the bottom of the tank containing the resin. The light defines the coordinate of the voxel (three-dimensional pixel) that is cured within the given layer.

Print Quality:As lenses are used to modify the size of the image, coming from a smaller DMD source to fit a wider print area, there are chances of producing distorted voxels at the edges of the build area. Cheaper DLP printers have issues with uniformity, such as the “flashlight effect,” resulting in higher light intensity in the middle but lesser on the sides. Such issues lead to layers not adhering and poor surface finishes due to under-curing or over-curing.

Applications:With DLP printers, the number of pixels does not change and remains the same regardless of the size of the image. Therefore the precision of printing is impacted depending on the size of the model. The narrower the size of the model, the higher the precision. That is why DLP 3D printers work best for accurate and precise printing of small-sized models with details as fine as .05 mm and are widely used for 3D printing of dental implants, jewelry, footwear, and others.

Speed:The higher intensity of light facilitates faster printing. By utilizing a wavelength of 405 nm with light intensity as high as 20-30 mW/cm2, DLP 3D printers can cure an entire layer at once and require less time to print more parts in a batch. Lower DLP wavelengths, including 385nm, are used to improve clear part accuracy and open up other traditional SLA resins for use on DLP. However, there are advantages and disadvantages to selecting 405nm or 385nm depending on if speed, precision, and/or longevity are the priority.

Pricing:DLP 3D printers traditionally are higher-priced printers vs. LCD printers. For this higher price, industrial Smart Factory DLP 3D printers are designed for volume manufacturing with consistent batch-to-batch and machine-to-machine production. Smart Factory DLP 3D printers provide higher speed, larger build volumes, longer life, and higher precision across large build areas versus LCD printers.

How it works:Unlike a DLP printer which is used as a projector, an LCD printer does not use a projector and deploys an array of UV LEDs as the light source and an LCD to mask (block) UV light allowing only select areas to be cured in the layer. Inexpensive LCD printers utilize cheap light sources that have low uniformity and produce light that is not columnated (aligned with the print area). This results in pixel distortion. LCDs also have a much shorter life versus DLP light engines requiring owners to frequently replace LCD screens, increasing consumable cost versus DLP printers.

Print Quality:Higher quality LCD can produce high-quality prints; however, as LCDs become larger, they have limits on uniformity, and batch to batch, machine to machine variability becomes an issue. Less expensive LCD 3D printers have challenges controlling distortion caused by a lack of LED array uniformity and alignment. If these technical challenges are not addressed, the print quality can be and be worse than in DLP printers.

Applications:Compared to FDM 3D printers, LCD printers offer better printing quality for the same price and are therefore popular for chairside dental or desktop applications. The lower cost barrier makes these printers popular for adopting 3D printing across dental, jewelry, engineering, hobbyists, and other industries.

Speed:Compared to DLP 3D printers, LCD printers are slower and are low in intensity in the range of 3-5 mW/cm2. Conventional LCD 3D printers can not print with high viscosity.

Pricing: LCD printers are created as an affordable alternative to their advanced 3D printing counterparts. With an easily replaceable LCD panel, these printers are customized for small spaces and are desktop-sized for ease of use.

When deciding between DLP vs. LCD 3D printers, a popular perception is that the DLP printers are better than the LCD. However, on a budget, next-generation LCD 3D printers can be the right first step into resin 3D printing, depending on the application-specific applications.

Next-generation DLP and LCD 3D printing platforms built on LuxCreo’s LEAP™platform are delivering new capabilities that simplify manufacturing and provide on-demand access to Smart Factory volume production. LuxCreo’s LEAP™platform outperforms current DLP, LCD, and SLA printers by developing and tuning software, hardware, and resin to deliver new capabilities: high throughput, maximum batch size, and DigitalPolishing™.

LuxCreo’s Smart Factory DLP and LCD 3D printer solve the above problems with traditional DLP and LCD 3D printers supporting repeatable high throughput production of high-performance and high-viscosity materials. LuxCreo’s Smart Factory DLP and LCD 3D printers open up a new category of 3D printers that deliver the fastest, most economical path to volume production.

To improve the performance of DLP or LCD 3D printers, it is necessary to get control over design, software, printer, and resins. LuxCreo’s integrated Smart Factory 3D printing solutions facilitate clear, transparent, faster, and accurate printing with both DLP and LCD printers while also providing the fastest, most economical path to volume production. Our advanced range of Smart Factory DLP 3D printers enables in-house production and provides contract 3D printing services through cloud-connected smart factories.

Luxcreo’s integrated suite of high-performance 3D printing materials, 3D printers, and software help manufacturers simplify high-viscosity 3D printing with Smart Factory DLP and LCD 3D printers. Our intuitive software tuned to our materials and our DLP and LCD 3D printers ensure uniformity, consistency, and accuracy in high-throughput and high-yield manufacturing batch to batch and machine to machine to achieve the highest, most economical production throughput.

【12.8-inch 6K Monochrome LCD】ELEGOO Jupiter features a 12.8-inch 6K monochrome LCD with a resolution of 5448x3064, allowing you to print models with intricate details and impressive print quality at 51-micron XY resolution, and fast layer curing speed up to 70 mm/h.

【Larger Print Volume】With a massive277.848 x 156.264 x 300 mm build volume and a 286x166mm mask LCD, you can print large models or multiple small parts at once, or anything in between, greatly improving the model print output and efficiency, so it can also meet the printing requirements of commercial users.

【All-metal Structure】The printer body and main components are made of high-strength sheet metal, which is resistant to aging and scratches. The Z-axis adopts a ball screw with four sliders for more smooth and quiet movement, effectively increasing Z-axis stability and reducing Z-axis wobble during printing.

【Automatic Resin Feeding】Jupiter comes with a unique screw-on resin bottle cap, which allows you to install the resin bottle upside down behind the resin tank that has a resin feeding inlet, and when the resin in the tank is too low, the resin is automatically fed through the resin tank inlet. No more worry about running out of resin mid-print as the automatic resin feeder system will continuously add resin from resin bottle whenever needed during the printing process.

【5-inch Capacitive Touchscreen】The 5-inch capacitive touchscreen with a simple UI interface and clear display is highly responsive and straightforward to operate, with no delay or lag, and supports multi-language switching at will.

【Better Printing Experience】The plug-in air purifier with built-in activated carbon filter can effectively absorb and filter resin odor during the printing process, giving you a fresh and safe printing experience. The built-in LED strip will automatically light up when you open the door; the beam is uniform and soft, non-UV light won"t cure resin, and you can use the printer normally even if the room is poorly lit.

SUNLU launched a natural green LCD-3D photocuring material that uses soybean oil as raw material in order to reduce the impact of chemicals on the environment and the human health.

Desktop / notebook computers, tablets, processors, motherboards, digital cameras, camcorders and projectors, 3D printers, 3D scanners, and CD/DVD duplicators

Like with other resin printing technologies, LCD machines rely on light-activated resins to build 3D objects. They direct the UV light into areas layer by layer to solidify them. The key difference between DUP or LCD-based machines is in the light source they use. As its name states, the main component is an LCD screen, which is used under a resin tank to project patterns onto the material. Using this tool in a 3D printer commonly allows reducing the costs of such a commonly expensive technology as resin curing.

Alternatively, some DUP printers use LEDs as a source of light. They direct it through a screen or a mask, which darkens areas that don’t need to be solidified.

What are things to consider before buying a 3D Printer?With resin printers, one of the things you should be aware of beforehand is the cost of materials. To work properly, a resin tank should be filled with fresh resin, and for machines with bigger build volume, this can be a lot.

Evaluate the time and skill set that can be required for operating a certain machine. Even printers that ship pre-built require maintenance and different levels of involvement in the process.

Select technology for your specific goals. 3D printers can produce a variety of parts and a wide range of materials allows using it for various purposes. However, each 3D printing method has its limits and caters to specific needs in end parts. Thus, analyze your goal for buying a 3D printer and investigate the differences between technologies and materials to find the best one.

Check out what post-processing 3D prints require, especially if you aim for resin parts. Different technologies require more or less work after an object is ready, however, all of them will require some cleaning after the build. Certain methods mean time-consuming post-processing, which influences the level of involvement as well as increases the cost of handwork for commercial printing.

Think through what build volume is going to suit your needs. For some applications, like jewelry or miniatures, a desktop 3D printer is enough. However, for bigger projects, you may require more room in a machine and, thus, more space in a workshop.