Microlight3D introduces a technology capable of 3D printing pieces one hundred times thiner than a hair
French company Microlight3D, based in Grenoble, has revealed its new 3D printer ‘Altraspin’, which is capable of 3D printing complex microparts, 10 to One Hundred times thinner than a hair.
The thickness of a piece can even reach 0.2 microns. In order to obtain this resolution, Microlight3D uses a two photon polymerization technology. It is the result of fifteen years of research at the University of Grenoble.
Altraspin’s technology developers are researchers Patrice Baldeck and Michel Bouriau. The latter co-founded Microlight3D in 2016. Microparts technology consists in a 3D printing resin system, with a laser that solidifies specific areas of a photosensitive polymer resin bath.
What material suits the new Altraspin compact 3D printer?
Actually, the machine is compatible with a wide range of commercially available polymers:
- Acrylates
- Sol-gels
- Epoxys
- Hydrogels and even
- Proteins and biomaterials.
“It is the absorption of two photons that makes it possible to obtain a high resolution”. Says Denis Barbier, CEO of Microlight3D. “During the entire course of the laser in the resin, nothing happens except at the point of focus where all the rays are concentrated”. At this focal point, which can be less than 0.2 micrometers wide, two photons can be placed absorbed by the resin at the same time. Consequently, these triggers a hardening of the material in this small volume only.
Most noteworthy is that, unlike conventionnal 3D-printing technologies, this direct laser writing technology allows us to get rid of the traditionnal “layer-by-layer” approach. Therefore, you can print the most complex architectures, with no need of support material or post processing, and enhanced mechanical properties.
Also, the advantage of the technology is that it does not require any further processing. “In 3D microprinting, 70% of the cost of the parts comes from further processing”. Said Denis Barbier.
In fact, Altraspin is Microlight3D second machine. “The first one was only dedicated to research laboratories”. Its CEO explained. In contrast, the new version is more compact and easy to use, aimed at manufacturers. “This new machine is still a prototyping tool for R&D poles, since the technology is not yet suitable for mass production,” says Denis Barbier.
About Microlight3D
Microlight3D is targeting the microfluidics market, a field through miniature laboratories. Additionally, its technology could get interest from micro-optic actors, to improve the resolution of a microscope with complex parts, for example, and micro-mechanics.
The 5-employee company, which reached a turnover of 525,000 euros in 2018, intends to dominate a substantial part of the micro-currency market, estimated at several hundred million euros in 2022. At the moment, Microlight 3D recognizes only A competitor: the German Nanoscribe.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFXnhgvCWeo&w=560&h=315]Video: Microlight3D unveils Altraspin. Source: Youtube.
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It is fascinating how far 3D printing has come in the last 5 years. From so expensive and small to the quality that is available now. I can hardly wait for what the future will bring us,
Awesome article. It’s amazing how much 3D printers have developed over time.
Amazing how far we’ve gone yet.
Amazing printer I would like to see in front of me for sure.