Additive Manufacturing Lab

Modern Engineering harnesses the power of plastic through 3D printing. When compared with traditional manufacturing processes, additive manufacturing has the potential to dramatically reduce time and money spent on prototyping. The equipment in this lab allows every student to see their designs come to life in a matter of hours, and introduces them to a tool they will use for the rest of their career.

Located in SET 227.

FDM 3D Printers

Fused Deposition Modeling printers are the widest available 3D printers. Much like a glue gun, these printers heat up plastic then trace out the desired part onto a build-platform layer by layer. As the plastic cools, it solidifies in the shape in which it was drawn. These printers take prototyping to a new level with how quickly, and cheaply, they can make a part.

 

Our lab uses Raise3D E2 printers which have a print capacity of 13” x 9.4” x 9.4”.

 

Download UtahTech E2 Print Profile (8/14/24)

Download UtahTech Taz6 Print Profiles

SLA 3D Printers

Stereolithography Printing (aka Resin printing) is the oldest kind of 3D printing, invented in the 1980’s. Instead of tracing out the parts line by line, these printers use liquid resin that can be cured by light. Layer by layer light shines in the shape of the part, solidifying all the resin that the light hits. This type of printing gives the finest resolution, up to 10 microns.

 

We use Phrozen SLA 3D printers with a print capacity of 7.5″ x 4.7″ x 7.9″.

 

Schedule a Sonic Printer

SLS 3D Printers

Selective Laser Sintering is yet another kind of 3D printing. It uses laser technology to melt nylon powder into the desired shape. After one layer is completed more powder is added to the chamber and the process continues. SLS printing requires no support material and is capable of capturing incredibly complex geometry.

 

Our Formlabs Fuse 1 SLS printer has a print capacity of 6.3” x 6.3” 11.6”.

3D Metrology

3D scanning is one of the most useful complementary tools to additive manufacturing. It makes it possible to create a virtual model of almost anything. Once processed through CAD software that model can be used for a wide variety of applications. Some of which include;  quality control, reverse engineering, and retrofitting parts onto existing complex geometry, such as medical prosthetics and casts.

We use a Creaform Academia 50 3D scanner that has a maximum scan size of 10”, an accuracy of up to .004” and can capture color.

Coming Soon - Modix BIG-Meter

The Modix BIG-Meter doesn’t have ‘big’ in its name for nothing. This printer has the potential to print parts up to 53 times the size of anything our other FDM printers could do. Its print volume of 1 cubic meter opens the doors to many large-scale printing projects such as molds for vacuum forming. This printer is equipped with two high-temperature print heads and exchangeable nozzle sizes, capable of heating up to 500 degrees Celsius. This allows for the use of quality engineering plastics such as Peek and Ultem, thus furthering its versatility.

An FDM printed conveyor system

SLA model of acoustic pressure waves.

SLS printed impeller, ball bearing, and threaded rod.

Course Interaction
  • MECH 1000/05 – Intro to Design & Prototyping
  • MECH 4170 – Additive Manufacturing

Lab Policy
  • No Food or Drink
  • No Removal of Tools
  • PPE Required
  • Surveillance