Z Corp. 3D Printers

What is a Z Corp. 3D Printer?

Z Corp. 3D Printers set the standard for fast, affordable, color 3D printing. The printers create real physical models direction from 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 product developers to win new business, develop better products and improve production planning.

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 1500 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 authorized Z Corp. service 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.

Color-Z Corporation's 3D Printers can create parts from a full 24-bit palette of colors, resulting in multiple color prototypes.
 

Are leasing options available for Z Corp. 3D Printers?

Yes, Z Corp. has developed a relationship with several leasing companies offering many different options. Contact HaldemanHomme, Inc 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 $1 and $2 per cubic inch of finished part. Any powder not printed can be fully recycled.

What is the standard delivery time?

Units are generally available within four weeks of order placement.

ZPrinter® 310 System

What is 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 is the customer price of the ZPrinter 310?

Please contact HaldemanHomme, Inc for pricing.

What are the key differences between the ZPrinter 310 and the Spectrum Z510 System, Z Corporation’s high speed, 4 printhead, full color printer?

The ZPrinter 310 utilizes one HP printhead while the Spectrum Z510 Printer utilizes four HP printheads. The four printheads used on the Spectrum provides the ability to print in full color at high speed.

What materials will run on the ZPrinter 310?

The materials available on the ZPrinter 310 System are: high performance composite, snap-fit, elastomeric, direct 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.

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Spectrum Z™510 System

What is the Spectrum Z510 System?

The Spectrum Z510 System is the first high-definition 3D printer (HD3DP™). The platform allows users to achieve breakthrough part quality using high fidelity 24-bit color, 600 x 540 dpi resolution and enhanced software features.

Can you tell the difference between parts made on the Spectrum versus the ZPrinter 310 System?

Yes, you will notice enhanced surface finish, finer feature resolution and the Spectrum allows users to print in full-color.
This is achieved with:

• Increased printer resolution (600 x 540 dpi versus the ZPrinter’s 300 x 300 dpi)
• Full 24-bit color

What materials will run on the Spectrum Z510 System?

The materials available on the Spectrum Z510 System are: high performance composite and direct casting.

Is the Spectrum Z510 System 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.

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Z810 System

What is the recommended operating environment for the Z810 System?

We recommend operating the Z810 System in a shop environment. Compressed air is required for the proper operation of the System.

What is the color capability of the Z810 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.

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ZCast 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, Spectrum 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. The ZPrinter 310 and Spectrum Z510 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.

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Materials

What are the build materials made of?

We currently offer several material systems for use with Z Corp. 3D Printers:

• High performance composite
• Snap-fit
• Elastomeric
• Direct casting
• 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.

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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.
 

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