Z Corporation
Z402C System User Manual
1.1.2 HOW IT WORKS
The Z402C System is based on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s patented 3DP
(3D
Printing) technology.
The System Software first converts a three-dimensional design built using 3D CAD (and saved in
VRML or STL format) into cross-sections or slices that can be between 0.003” – 0.009” thick.
The Z402C 3D Printer then prints these cross-sections one after another from the bottom of the part
to the top.
Inside the Z402C 3D Printer there are two pistons
(see Figure 1
.
)
The
feed piston
is represented in
the diagrams below on the left and is shown in the ‘down’ position filled with powder. The
build piston
is the piston on the right, shown below in the ‘up’ position. Also represented in the diagrams is the
roller
(drawn as a circle) and the
print assembly
(drawn as a square.) On the Z402C printer, the
roller and the print assembly are mounted together on the
gantry
which moves horizontally across the
build area.
To begin the 3D printing process, the Z402C System first spreads a layer of zp
TM
series powder in
the same thickness as the cross section to be printed. The Z402C print heads then apply a binder
solution to the powder causing the powder particles to bind to one another and to the printed cross-
section one level below. The feed piston comes up one layer and the build piston drops one layer.
The Z402C System then spreads a new layer of powder and repeats the process, and in a short time
the entire part is printed.
Step 1:
As the gantry traverses left
to right, the roller collects powder.
Step 2:
The roller spreads a thin
layer of powder over the build
piston.
Step 3:
The roller discharges
excess powder down the powder
overflow chute.
Step 4:
As the gantry traverses
right to left, the print head prints
the part cross-section.
Step 5:
The feed piston moves up
one layer, the build piston moves
down one layer, and the process is
repeated.
Figure 1. The Printing Process
6
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