Here we listed some common questions and answers about our FASTFORM SLM Metal 3D Printer, all related about dental , industries and other printing applications . If you are interested in our products or have any other questions, please contact us in time. We will reply and answer your questions as soon as possible.
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What is the actual size of the build chamber of M300 and what is the effective size(the size which can be used for 3-D printing) of the build chamber? (As we know that the actual build size is slightly larger than the effective build size)?
The actual size of the printer is 300*300*400, and the parts that can be printed are 296*296*360mm (when the substrate thickness is 40mm).
If we use a base plate less than 40 mm will the printable component height increase? If this is the case, do you have thinner base plates that you can provide?
Yes, if you use thinner baseplate you can print more height. However, thin baseplate is very easy to deformation. We recommend no less than 30mm.
The actual size of the printer is 300 * 300 * 400, and the parts that can be printed are 296 * 296 * 360mm (with a substrate thickness of 40mm).
What is the thickness of the base plate, is the thickness of the baseplate included in the build volume or doe s the z -axis of the build volume start from the top of the baseplate?
The substrate can be of different thicknesses, there is no clear requirement for this. The actual printing height must be deducted from the thickness of the substrate.
What is the make and model of the Galvano system in the FF M 300? We will need to see the CE certification of this Galvano system
The Galvano system is produced in China and can be provided. But few people need this CE.
What is the make and model of the Fibre laser system in the FF M 300 We will need to see the CE certification of this?
Laser is also produced in China and can provide CE.
What is the lifecycle of the inbuilt filter systems?
The 3d printer machine is equipped with a permanent filter element, which can generally be used for 30000 hours.
What is the maintenance/ calibration schedule of the FF M 300? After how long do we need to carry out the periodic maintenance of the 3-d printer?
Under normal usage, perform maintenance and calibration every 6 months. Normally, it takes 1 day.
How many times do we need to do the calibration of the FF M 300 in a time span of two years which is the warranty period
Recommended 3 times, depending on usage. If used less frequently, it can last longer.
Will you give training to the customer and our representatives for calibration?
We can train the customer. Or they can come to China to Learn.
The software you have quoted with the machine, does it have the capability to add supports to the parts that have to be 3-d printed?
Yes, It has
How does the strength of the 3-d printed components on the FF M 300 compared to casted and forged metal parts?
It's hard to say. Some materials print better, while others are slightly worse. Usually, when printing parts, the strength is better, but the plasticity is worse.
The customer’s lab is a 30 feet x 30 feet box shaped room however if you need more area this can be arranged?
See as below:
Is it possible to initiate purging simultaneously in two machines using a single Nitrogen generator? If we are doing this in how much time both machine will fully purge?
Our standard Nitrogen generator only has the ability for one 3D Printer .
For 1 Printer machine will take 20~30mins and fully purge
Could you also provide the specific values mqchine required for Air and Nitrogen(as we are already having Nitrogen generator so want to ensure wheather its sufficient or need additional one)
● Air pressure
6-8Bar
● Air flow rate (CFM)
0.25~0.4CFM
● Nitrogen inlet pressure
4-5Bar
● Nitrogen flow rate (CFM)
0.15~0.3CFM
What is the expected laser life of the machine?What consumables are required, and how frequently do they need replacement?
The laser lifetime theory is 100,000 hours. There are no consumables for the laser. The consumables of the equipment are rubber scrapers, if they are damaged and need to be replaced, use the equipment proficiently, and replace it once every 1 month.
What is the lifespan of the filters used in the machine, and how often do they need to be replaced?
Our equipment comes standard with a permanent filter that does not need to be replaced, and the filter is cleaned by automatic backflushing. Safer and more cost-effective.
Can you provide the parameters set for different types of metal powders compatible with the machine?
The dental industry uses cobalt-chromium and titanium alloys, both of which we have parameters.
Is it possible to edit the printing parameters to optimize for specific products or materials?
Yes, we provide a database that can be edited.
What is the maximum layer thickness achievable for each type of metal powder supported by the machine?
It can be up to 100um, but the dental industry will not, the surface is too rough.
Could you provide information about the micro structure and porosity percentage of parts produced using this machine for chromium cobalt and titanium ?
The density of printing can reach more than 99.8%, and there are almost no porosity.
What is the Heat-treatment cycle required for parts produced with this machine (chromium cobalt and titanium)?
There will be differences between different CoCrs. Generally, it is kept at 980 degrees for 30 minutes, and cooled to below 300 degrees for pickup.
Is it possible to use metal powders from different manufacturers, including local suppliers, on this machine?
Yes, please make sure that the particle diameter of the powder meets the requirements, 15-53 microns, in addition, the fluidity is good, and the oxygen content is low. If you are not sure, you can contact our engineers for confirmation.
Can you assist in developing printing parameters specifically tailored for using local powder manufacturers' materials?
Generally, there is little difference between different manufacturers of powders, and we can provide guidance.
What materials are used for the build plate?
If it is a CoCr material, you can choose 1Cr13, S136, H13 and other materials. If it is a titanium alloy, you can choose a pure titanium substrate.
What is the life of a recoater blade and what types of recoater blades are available for different applications?
This is not fixed, if the operation is not good, it may be damaged at one time, and if it is skillfully operated, it can be used for more than 1 month. It is currently available in rubber.
Is the programming (nesting) software licensed, and if so, what are the licensing terms, including duration and coverage?
We are our own software and free to use.
What is the minimum thickness achievable without any deviation in printing ?
We recommend a minimum of 20 microns.
How much time does the purging process typically consume before initiating a print ?
It normally takes 15 minutes.
What is the typical percentage of powder waste generated for each type of metal powder used ?(ex: to print 1kg part how much wastage need to consider for specially chromium cobalt and titanium )
1KG can print 400-450 crowns.
What is the average time duration required to complete the entire post-processing workflow, including any cleaning, support removal, heat treatment, and surface finishing steps, for parts printed ?
There is no set time for this. The heat treatment time is 3-4 hours if you use a normal furnace and 2-3 hours if you use a rapid heat treatment furnace.
What is the estimated hourly cost of running , taking into account factors such as energy consumption, maintenance, material usage, and depreciation?
We can only provide the power of the equipment, usually 1.5 kWh of electricity per hour, and the gas consumption is 1.5L/min. If you can use nitrogen to print cobalt chromium, the operating cost of the nitrogen machine is 0.5 kWh per hour.
What types of filters are used , and how do they contribute to maintaining the quality of prints and prolonging the machine's lifespan?
We use permanent filters, which are very important for the printing surface. Our equipment has a filter detection sensor that will prompt if it needs to be cleaned.
What are the recommended environmental conditions, including temperature and humidity levels, for optimal operation ?
Room temperature 25°C, humidity not more than 60%
Could you provide references in India of companies utilizing your machine for continuous batch production?
We just started selling in India and not a lot at the moment. But we have hundreds of customers in China.
What is the approximate time required for vertical printing of a Cast Partial Denture (CPD) on your machine?
This machine can print 15 Partial, it takes about 6-7 hours, and the layer thickness is 30 microns.
What is the minimum support contact area (contact diameter) required for successful printing on your metal 3D printing machine?
The diameter of the support we use is 0.3mm, but this can be adjusted.
How often is machine calibration required, and approximately how much time does it consume each time?
If it is a product such as a printed crown, it can be calibrated up to 1 year. The calibration is mainly laser power calibration and dimensional calibration. It usually takes half a day.
What types of support structures are available for use with your metal 3D printing machine, and how does the machine handle self-supporting angles during printing?
We offer several types of column supports, mesh supports, etc.elf-supporting angles 45°
What are the types of major maintenance issues that occur in the machine, and how much time is typically required to rectify each issue?
The most common cleanups are sensor cleaning, rail cleaning, etc., which this customer can handle by themselves. Usually half an hour.
Do you provide any devices or methods for users to self-check the laser power?
Laser power calibration is a professional job, in addition, it belongs to high-power lasers, there are certain risks, we do not recommend customers to deal with it themselves.
What level of precision and repeatability can expect from the machine?
The printer accuracy is generally 0.05mm.
What will be the minimum thickness we can print ?
No less than 20um is recommended.
Which company manufacturer the Laser used in printer(ex:IPG,Trump etc)?
The laser used is made in China, customized for 3D PRINTER.