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3D Systems, Inc.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
What is rapid prototyping?
Rapid prototyping (RP) is the process of building a part from a 3D Cad model saved as an .STL fi le. When the printing event takes place in the
3D printer system, it is constructed layer by layer using VisiJet materials.
What is 3D Printing?
A type of rapid prototyping, typically defi ned by faster, more affordable, and easier-to-use technologies.
How does 3D Printing fi t into the design process?
For a growing segment of designers using 3D CAD drawing, the ProJet 5500X is quickly becoming an essential extension of overall CAD
systems and a critical part of the entire design process by:
•
Accelerating Time to Market - through shortening design and development cycles and ultimately getting products to market more
quickly enabling users to easily fi ne tune design and explore multiple design confi gurations.
•
Generating Savings - by helping companies signifi cantly lower production costs and reducing expensive revisions late in the
development cycle.
•
Enhancing Communication and Collaboration - through bringing ideas off fl at screens and producing functional 3D prints that can be
easily shared, critiqued, and improved upon.
•
Creating Better Designs - designers are no longer limited to the number of models they can produce and test, resulting in more
creative designs and better fi nal products.
• Ensuring
Confi dentiality - eliminating the need to exchange confi dential design fi les with service providers, allowing companies to
maintain product confi dentiality and control.
How does the 3D printing process work?
The 3D printer system builds functional 3D prints from the bottom up, one layer at a time. STL fi les are imported into the 3D printer system
where the fi les are sliced and any necessary support structures are created. The materials are fed into the 3D printer system from material
bottles and accurately deposited in layers upon the print platform. After completion of the build, support structures are removed during post-
processing.
How durable are the build material?
VisiJet materials create accurate, detailed, and durable prints from your 3-D CAD designs. Popular applications include concept models,
casting forms, prototype parts, and specialty tools. All the specifi c physical and process characteristics of VisiJet materials are detailed in VisiJet
material GHS documentation.
Is post-processing required?
Yes, upon removing the part from the ProJet 5500X printer you will need to remove the support material from VisiJet parts. The parts fi nisher
makes removing bulk support material from VisiJet parts effi cient and easy. Forced airfl ow and precision temperature control deliver faster,
shorter, and more predictable VisiJet part fi nishing times. See the ProJet 5500X Part Post Processing Webinar and Part Post Processing
Slides on
3DS Central.
Are there any special facility requirements or operating systems necessary to install and operate the 3D printer system?
Refer to the ProJet 5500X Facility Requirements Guide on
3DS Central
.
Can more than one user process fi les and build parts?
Multiple users can send fi les to the 3D printer system build queue, move, delete, and set build priorities in the build queue. Depending on the
size of the print, multiple fi les can be added onto the print platform in one build application.
