3sharp
August 13, 2015, 2:16pm
1
Hi, just a after some advise about resin printing. We have a something that we need printing in resin and just wondered if resin shrinks after its printed? If so by how much? The piece we would like making is to fit around something so the size needs to be quite accurate.
4 Likes
Hey, no Resin doesn’t shrink as abs does, thus it is quite accurate in the print size. it might get a little off with the leftover Resin curing somewhere unexpected, but if you clean it well enough it shouldn’t be a problem
Hi Zara,
I’m not aware of any shrinkage either. We’ve done a number of models which have pieces that fit together (some are several months old now) and none have shown signs of shrinking.
As Arnoldas points out, you should be wary of excess resin curing where you don’t want it to, but proper post-print cleaning and support removal should sort this.
Hi Zara,
I’ve haven’t noticed any shrinkage on my Form1+ parts, but occasionally I’ve noticed a little bit of warping due to thickness variations in my models… A bit like an injection molded part would/could do.
Any of you witnessed this problem?
Luke
No shrinkage using resin, you need to clean the model after printing in order to get rid of excess resin. The accuracy depends on the experience of a specific resin use. Pay attention on the UV curing after printing. It will easilly overwarm the printed specimen and thus deform it.
1 Like
Edit - Ok every single person that has stated that resin doesn’t shrink is completely wrong. There is shrinkage with resin prints. It may not be as marked as FDM processes but IT WILL SHRINK somewhat. A quick google search and using makerjuice as an example
http://www.imakr.com/en/resin/67-makerjuice-g-500ml.html
And I quote “with measured shrink <3.5%”. That may not be very noticeable if you are printing off yoda busts or other models but if you have very tight tolerances then this could be an issue.
Original comment -
All 3D printed materials shrink somewhat from what gets laid down to the final dimensions of the object. I’ve been running a form 1+ for nearly a year now. Can you give more details on the object?
2 Likes
Hello. We use the Form1+ with very accurate results and do not typically see shrinking. Unlike traditional deposition 3D printers, SLA printers cure the resin with a laser within milliseconds. The resin bath cools the part immediately, so no shrinkage is usually seen. Check out my hub (3DMatters2Us) for examples of prototype parts we have done. If you send me your STL file, I can give you a quote as well. Let me know how I can help. Todd.
HB3D
August 16, 2015, 5:10pm
8
Hello,
Hi, I completely agree with PlastiPrint3D . UV cured resin does shrink, however the deformation is far smaller than one emerging with FDM printers. I do not know the results of other types of 3D printing.
The exact deformation is hard to evaluate in advance but the there is a rule that the more thick the product is, the bigger shrinkage you can expect. So for the full body products results are significantly different from those where there is a thin wall -hollow product. From my experience using FORM 1+, if important I add from 0.3 to 1.5% dimension compensation.
Surely as Luke said there might still occur a warp significantly bigger than shrink deformation. It may happen due to poor oriantation, supports, dirty resin etc.
If the product you need is not too large it might be a good idea to test print it and measure it.
Temujin
September 4, 2015, 7:08am
10
Hackerdaz, I think the UV light doesn’t warm the part so much.
I think the UV light increases the rate of part curing from within the photopolymer resin.
This acceleration of molecular bonding could be creating the heat you were warning about?
If this is true, then there is a chance that the material begins to show cracks.
HB3D
September 4, 2015, 7:19am
11
Hello,
Temujin the furnace I use has 4 UV lamps inside. The lamps get quite hot during operation. If the distance from the lamps to the specimens is small (2-3cm) and there is not adequate cooling then the parts will also get warmer through convection and radiation. But also UV curing is not a 100% efficient process. Part of the UV radiation is converted to heat. If you put your hand inside a UV curing furnace you will feel the heat.
