What
is a Z Corp. 3D Printer?
Z Corp. 3D Printers are the world's fastest 3D Printers, capable of
creating appearance prototypes from computer-aided design "CAD"
and other digital data. The prototypes can be used for design review,
mock-ups for form and fit testing and patterns for casting applications.
The
use of prototypes allows engineers to speed the design process and
get to market faster with a better product.
How
does the 3D Printing technology work?
Z Corp. 3D Printers use a powder-binder technology invented at and
patented by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to create parts
directly from digital data. First, the 3D Printer spreads a thin layer
of powder. Second, an ink-jet print head prints a binder in the cross-section
of the part being created. Next, the build piston drops down, making
room for the next layer, and the process is repeated. Once the part
is finished, it is surrounded and supported by loose powder, which
is then shaken loose from the finished part.
What
are Z Corp.'s customers using the 3D Printers for?
Z Corporation has over 1200 customers in a range of industries including
automotive, footwear, consumer products, consumer electronics, packaging
and education. Customers include Sony, Fisher-Price, NASA, Lockheed
Martin, Northrop Grumman, Adidas, Ford, and Disney.
Z
Corp. parts are used as appearance prototypes for design review and
a variety of secondary applications including patterns for casting
applications, mock-ups for form and fit testing and prototypes to
collect market feedback. In addition, Z Corp. parts can be drilled,
tapped, sanded and painted, and electroplated to replicate the look
and feel of the final product.
How
much training is required to use a Z Corp. 3D Printer?
Z Corp. Printers are safe and easy to operate. Installation and training
typically takes one day and is conducted by an Emco technician. In
addition, the System comes with a complete user manual and software
guide.
What
are the key advantages of the Z Corp. System?
Speed-The speed of the Z Corp. System reduces the time it takes to
create a part from one day to a few hours.
Cost-The
low cost of materials allows customers to make more parts for less
money than competing methods.
Versatility-The
ability to infiltrate parts allows customers to expand the range of
applications satisfied by Z Corp. parts.
Color-Z
Corporation's 3D Printers can create parts from a full 24-bit palette
of colors, resulting in multiple color prototypes.
What
is the difference in speed between the ZPrinter 310 and the Z510 Color
3D Printer?
Attached is a range of examples printed on the two machines for comparison.
Times are shown as hours:minutes.
Are
leasing options available for Z Corp. 3D Printers?
Yes, Emco have developed a relationship with several leasing companies
offering many different options. Contact for more information.
How
much do the materials cost?
Powder, binder and printheads are consumed in the part printing process.
The strength of the part may be enhanced using a range of infiltrants.
Depending on the geometry and infiltrant choices, the cost of these
consumables range between 75p and £1.50 per cubic inch of finished
part. Any powder not printed can be fully recycled.
ZPrinter
310 Plus System
What
is new and unique about the ZPrinter 310?
Z Corporation’s product lines have gained strong adoption in
the marketplace for their speed, low operating cost, ease of use and
versatility. In the ZPrinter 310, those product attributes have been
further enhanced. We have obtained feedback over the years from our
customers and Partners and we have incorporated that feedback and
additional design enhancements to make the ZPrinter 310 the fastest,
lowest cost and simplest 3D Printing solution available on the market
today.
What
are the key differences between the ZPrinter 310 and the Z400, Z Corporation’s
previous entry-level monochrome printer?
Faster
Lower Operating Cost (Print Head Amortization)
Simpler to operate, maintain and service
Network compatibility
Hewlett Packard print head technology
The ZPrinter 310 System has been completely redesigned to offer a
number of operation and performance improvements. These include design
features to simplify operation, maintenance and service. The system
uses Hewlett Packard (HP) print head technology and has been optimized
to offer speed enhancement over the Z400 System. Also, the operating
costs, specifically the print head amortization of the ZPrinter 310,
is lower than the Z400 System. The ZPrinter 310 may be run via serial
connection direct to the PC or via Ethernet network connection. The
build size of the ZPrinter 310 is 8” x 10” x 8”, the
same as the Z400 and Z406 Systems.
What
are the key differences between the ZPrinter 310 and the Z510 System,
Z Corporation’s high speed, 4 print-head, full color printer?
The ZPrinter 310 utilizes one HP printhead while the Z510 utilizes
four HP printheads. The four printheads used on the Z510 allow higher
print speed, especially for larger parts and the ability to print
in full color. The ZPrinter 310 is a monochrome-only printer.
What
materials will run on the ZPrinter 310?
The ZPrinter 310 will use the same material set as the Z406 and Z810.
This includes zp102 plaster-based powder, zp14 and zp15e starch-based
powders as well as zb52 and zb51 binders.
Is
ZCast™ available on the ZPrinter 310 System?
Yes, with an upgrade package which includes the purchase of materials
starter kit and end-use license, ZCAST is available for the ZPrinter
310. ZCast is a set of materials that allow the user to print molds
for direct metal casting.
Is
the ZPrinter System suitable for an office environment?
Yes, the Printer operates cleanly and quietly, making it suitable
for an office environment. Many of our customers operate the 3D Printer
in an office environment, allowing easy access for a team of engineers.
What
is the color capability of the ZPrinter System?
The ZPrinter System uses a binder colored with standard food dyes.
The binder colors the part as it is being printed, producing monochrome
parts in any one color.
Z510
High Definition Colour System
Is the Z510 System suitable for an office
environment?
Yes, the Printer operates cleanly and quietly, making it suitable
for an office environment. Many of our customers operate the 3D Printer
in an office environment, allowing easy access for a team of engineers.
What
is the color capability of the Z510 System?
The Z406 System has full-color capability, similar to a desktop inkjet
printer. The Printer uses a Cabot Corporation Inkjet pigment system,
capable of producing millions of colors. Parts printed in full-color
communicate important information including engineering data, labeling,
highlighting and appearance simulation.
What
is the Build size of the Z510 System?
The
Z510 has a large 10"x14"x8" Build area which is the
biggest in it's class.
Z450
System
What is the recommended operating environment
for the Z450 System?
We recommend operating the Z450 System in an office, although it can
go into a workshop environment.
What
is the color capability of the Z450 System?
The Z810 System has full-color capability, similar to a desktop inkjet
printer. The Printer uses a Cabot Corporation Inkjet pigment system,
capable of producing millions of colors. Parts printed in full-color
communicate important information including engineering data, labeling,
highlighting and appearance simulation.
What
is the Automation on the Z450 for?
The Z450 manages all the consumables within the machine, therefore
it sets itself up, prints and then removes all the unused powder for
you. This greatly reduces the time spent by the operator. Also the
fine depowdering is all done in the machine, rather than using a de-powdering
station as on the Z310 & Z510.
Z-Cast System
What is the ZCast process?
The ZCast process involves directly casting metals in molds printed
on Z Corporation’s line of 3D Printers. We are offering the ability
to directly print the mold cavity or mold inserts. Traditionally,
these molds need to be created by first producing a pattern (or pattern
set) which would then be used to create the molds. In the case of
sand casting, a set of patterns is used to create the impressions
in the sand. In the case of investment casting, wax patterns are needed
to then create a ceramic mold. With the ZCast process, we are offering
the option to skip the pattern step.
What
are the advantages of the ZCast process?
The production of prototype castings using conventional methods often
can take several weeks and be prohibitively expensive. These constraints
often limit the number or preclude the production of metal prototypes
during the development process. The ZCast process can offer the opportunity
to significantly reduce the time required to obtain metal castings
while also reducing the cost. Specific time and cost savings will
depend on the size and complexity of the desired part, but can be
substantial for many customer needs. For many parts, castings can
be produced in as little as 1-2 days. The ZCast process also provides
the freedom to produce more complex castings that previously were
difficult to produce using conventional tooling methods. We recommend
that the customer talk directly to Z Corp. and its partners to evaluate
how this process may help them.
What
are the new molds made of? Are they ceramic?
ZCast powder is a plaster-ceramic composite suitable for casting low
temperature metals.
What
metals can be cast?
ZCast 500 is a powder of set that allows casting of aluminum and other
lower temperature metals like zinc and magnesium. Longer term, the
goal will be to allow printing with materials that more closely mimic
the properties of foundry sand and thus allow casting in ferrous metals.
Will
this capability be available on all Z Corp. machines?
The material is available for all of Z Corporation’s current
systems, the ZPrinter 310, Z510 and Z810.
Will
the printers need to be modified to work for this application?
The Z810 Printer requires an upgraded material feeder that has been
designed for ZCast powder. Z406 printers would need to have a field
upgrade performed by a trained technician in order to work most effectively
with ZCast powders. The ZPrinter 310 & 510 can be used unmodified.
Consult your Z Corporation sales representative for details on upgrade
pricing.
What
is the tolerance and surface finish that can be achieved with the
ZCast process?
Customer parts produced have yield results that mimic traditional
sand casting finishes and tolerances.
Can
I machine the castings produced?
Yes. The cast metal part will have similar metallurgical characteristics
as metal parts made using conventional casting methods.
Materials
What
are the build materials made of?
We currently offer two material systems for use with Z Corp. 3D Printers.
The plaster-based powder delivers high-strength and detail. The starch-based
powder delivers high speed at very low cost, as well as suitability
for investment casting.
The
binder is a water-based binder.
Are
the materials recyclable?
Yes, the unused powder can be recycled, further reducing the cost
to print a part.
How
strong are the parts?
The parts can be given added strength and different material properties
depending on the needs of the customer. When parts first come out
of the Printer, they can be handled carefully and examined. If you
want added strength and durability, the parts can be infiltrated with
a variety of materials.
What
types of materials are available for infiltrating Z Corp. parts?
Once the part has been printed, it is about 50% porous and can be
infiltrated to produce a range of material properties. Infiltrant
options include a variety of waxes, urethanes and resins, depending
on the desired part characteristics.
Service
and Support
What
type of support and service does Z Corporation offer for its line
of 3D Printers?
We recommend our service contract, which includes parts and labor
during the life of the service contract as well as Software upgrades,
Access to User Website, and Free Servicing.
Emco
provides support and service for 3D Printers backed by Z-Corporation's
network of regional service offices domestically and internationally.
Phone
support is available Monday to Friday from Emco and Z-Corporation.
Z
Corp. 3D Printers