Silicone is an incredibly versatile and flexible material with hundreds of uses. Add in 3D printing and the ways in which this amazing substance can be used shoot up exponentially. Chemical engineers have been trying to crack the mysteries of 3D silicone printing for some time, and finally, they’re mastering it.
Advances in technology
Technology, of course, is the key to making this happen. This technology, which also enables additives, will mean 3D silicone printing can be used in an even wider variety of areas and markets including consumer products, the automotive industry, and the medical and pharmaceutical industries.
For more on how 3D technology is being applied in other areas, see this report from The Guardian.
Benefits
Silicone’s unique properties have made 3D printing tricky to develop, but refining the process has made it practical and cost-effective. The key to making it work is using UV light, a printing bed of glass, and small amounts of silicone ejected through a special nozzle. The printing takes places via precise placement of tiny droplets of silicone. The UV light is then used to vulcanise these tiny droplets which form a cohesive layer.
Silicone 3D printing can be capable of great detail. Applications include hearing aids, nose pads for spectacles and respirator masks. This process can also be used for custom orders such as contact lenses. The transparency of silicone means that it can be useful in many other ways too. These developments could make 3D printing a viable alternative to injection moulding. If you want to learn more about the applications for silicone moulding then it would be a great idea to contact a reputable supplier in the industry such as http://www.meadex.co.uk. A firm like this will be able to answer your queries and tell you everything you need to know about effective silicone moulding.
Silicone is a very versatile substance. Hygienic and flexible, it can be used in many industries such as food and medicine where quality and cleanliness are of the utmost importance. With more techniques evolving for putting this material to use, silicone is poised to grow in popularity as new applications for it continue to appear. Inert and non-toxic, silicone is an excellent, cost-effective choice for a wide range of consumer products and industrial functions.