Peopoly based in Los Angeles has unveiled
a new high-resolution laser SLA 3D printer they have created in the form of
Moai, which is both affordable and provides a class-leading 70 micron laser
spot size.
The Moai 3D printer has launched by a
Kickstarter to raise the US$ 30,000 the team require to take their new SLA printer
into production.
Moai can also print wax resin and use it to create
jewellery via investment casting. The ability to produce intricate structures
with smooth finishes that saves time and opens new possibilities for designers
and craftsmen. Moai can print with precision and speed thanks to its UV laser
and galvanometers (galvo). The 150 mW Moai laser delivers more than enough
energy to cure light-sensitive resins and has a spot size of just 70 microns.
Let’s compare the size difference to a typical 400 micron FDM printer’s nozzle
head.
The way Moai works is that it quickly moves the
focused laser spot on the resin and solidify it to form a shape: After a layer
is finished, it raises the build platform slightly and cures the next layer.
While Moai’s laser delivers the energy for curing, its galvanometers (galvo)
guide the laser beam to make precise movements. You can think of galvo like a
rapid moving tiny mirror that reflects light. Using 2 galvos, Moai is able to
draw any shape on a two-dimensional plane, and that is how it frames the shape
of each design.
One thing that makes Moai different than other laser
SLA printers on the market is that you have complete control of its settings.
Users can adjust the power level, exposure, and movement to get the best
results based on the precise resin being used and application of the finished
product. You control exactly how you want things to be printed.
Jump over to Kickstarter to make a pledge from US$ 900
for super earlybird backers to be one of the first to receive the new SLA 3D
printer when it starts shipping during June 2017 if all goes well.
