Gallery

About Project

We recently got our hands on a full-color 3D printed miniature of Henry Fox, created using MJF (Multi Jet Fusion) technology. As enthusiasts of 3D printing, we're always keen to see how different processes translate digital models into physical objects, especially when it comes to color.

This particular Henry Fox miniature features a charming, stylized design, standing proudly with hands on hips. The overall color palette is a soft, somewhat muted blue and white. Upon closer inspection, it's evident that the entire piece has a slightly desaturated appearance, leaning towards a grayish tone rather than vibrant hues. The saturation is indeed quite low.

In terms of texture, the surface is distinctly coarse, giving it a matte, sandblasted feel. It's not a smooth finish, which is typical for some MJF prints and offers a unique tactile experience. The colors on the surface aren't perfectly pure solids; instead, they are composed of many tiny dots, creating a somewhat speckled or “pixelated” effect rather than a perfectly uniform shade. This can be seen as both a characteristic of the technology and, for some applications, a slight impurity in the color rendition.

Despite these observations, the ability to produce full-color parts directly from a 3D model is a significant advantage of MJF technology, allowing for intricate designs and immediate visualization of colored concepts.

Considering full-color 3D printing for your next project? FacFox offers advanced MJF full-color 3D printing services that can bring your designs to life with a broad spectrum of colors and impressive detail. Whether you need prototypes, functional parts, or unique artistic creations, our MJF service provides excellent resolution and the capacity for complex geometries, enabling you to explore the full potential of additive manufacturing.

Solution

• Step 1: A 3D digital model of Henry Fox was created and then sliced into thin layers.
• Step 2: A thin layer of powdered material (typically nylon) was evenly spread across the build platform.
• Step 3: A print head moved across the powder layer, and fusing and detailing agents were selectively deposited onto the powder in areas corresponding to the Henry Fox model.
• Step 4: An infrared heating unit then moved across the powder bed, causing the powder particles to fuse together where the fusing agent was applied, forming a solid layer.
• Step 5: The build platform was slightly lowered, and another layer of powder was spread. This process was repeated, layer by layer, until the entire Henry Fox miniature was formed within the powder bed.
• Step 6: Once printing was complete, the build unit was moved to a processing station where it was allowed to cool.
• Step 7: Excess, unfused powder was removed from around the printed miniature, often by vacuuming and/or air blasting, with much of the unused powder being recycled.
• Step 8: The miniature was then subjected to post-processing, which included bead blasting to refine the surface texture and remove any remaining loose powder.