The Figure 4 platform is a flexible production system with configurations designed to allow customers to grow as their needs and businesses require. Figure 4 Modular is a digital light printing (DLP) production solution capable of producing parts with high surface quality and fidelity. The platform helps accelerate time-to-market with ultra-fast production (up to 100 mm/hr) and six sigma accuracy and repeatability—enabling manufacturers to quickly iterate designs or produce end-use parts without regard to a minimum order quantity. It is the industry’s first, truly scalable solution, and meets the needs of various production environments, from standalone units to automated factory solutions.
Figure 4 Modular is a scalable, semi-automated 3D production solution that grows with your business, enabling capacity to meet your present and future needs, up to 10,000 parts per month, for unprecedented manufacturing agility. With an expandable capacity of up to 24 print engines, automated job management and queuing, automated material delivery and centralized post-processing, Figure 4 Modular’s end-to-end digital manufacturing workflow is ideal for low to mid-volume production and bridge manufacturing. In addition, each printer can run different materials and different jobs as part of a single high throughput line serving a multitude of parts being produced.
Achieve same-day functional prototyping iteration and low-volume production with ultra-high print speeds. New designs can be delivered in short time frames to maintain momentum throughout development.
The Figure 4 platform includes three models:
- Figure 4 Standalone is an affordable, industrial-grade single-engine solution for low-volume production and rapid same-day prototyping. Ideal for small design shops and OEMs, it provides industry-leading durability economical print volume at the lowest cost compared to other printers in its class.
- Figure 4 Modular provides customers with an upgradable and cost-effective direct 3D production solution which can include automated materials handling and centralized post-processing. Manufacturers can scale Figure 4 Modular, as their production needs expand - including up to 24 print engines. Powered by 3D Sprint software, each engine can run different materials and jobs simultaneously as part of a single, high-throughput line. With a low cost of entry (starting at $49,900 - including controller and single printer engine), and automation options that include job management and queuing, material delivery, and centralized post-processing, manufacturers can reduce demand on manufacturing resources and lower the total cost of operation. Additionally, it is 3D Connect-capable, allowing remote services via 3D Connect Service—automatically notifying 3D Systems’ service team when an alert condition occurs. Figure 4 Modular is planned for general availability in June 2019.
- Figure 4 Production is a completely customizable and automated tool-less manufacturing solution that packages the design flexibility of additive manufacturing in configurable, in-line production modules. Automated material delivery and integrated post-processing reduce labor requirements—increasing productivity and lowering the total cost of operation.
- Non-contact membrane Figure 4 technology
- Printable build volume (W x D x H): 124.8 x 70.2 x 346 mm (4.9 x 2.8 x 13.6 in.)
- Industry-leading 3D Sprint software for file preparation and production
- Cloud connectivity for predictive and prompt service with 3D Connect
- Production-grade materials
- Scalable modular configurations
- Automated material handling
- Individual printer modules can be dedicated to individual materials
- Centralized post-processing (cleaning, drying, curing)
Benefits:
- Semi-automated solution reduces labor
- Ability to run different part geometries and materials in each print unit
- Scalability enables lower initial system acquisition price
- Rapidly expand capacity as demand increases
- Layout flexibility
- Six Sigma quality and repeatability
- High throughput and productivity
- Same day print and ship
- Low total cost of operations
- Accelerated time-to-market vs. traditional manufacturing
- Eliminate tooling time and cost
- Efficient design iteration
Applications:
- Replacement of traditional molding and cast urethane processes
- Rapid functional prototyping and fast concept models
- End-use durable plastic parts
- Low volume bridge manufacturing
- Short-run production of plastic articles
- Jigs and fixtures
- Rapid tooling -molds and master patterns
- Consumer high-temperature applications with transparency
- Elastomeric parts—prototypes of grommets, seals, hoses, weatherstripping, tubes, gaskets, spacers, and other vibration-dampening components
- Medical applications
