What is Colorjet 3D printing technology?
The Colorjet technology allows creating parts fully colored, using a fine powdered material that resembles sandstone. The sandstone material is painted and adhered to during the printing process.
The print itself is carried out layer by layer. A rolling batch leaves a uniform layer of sandstone-like powder, which indeed is white plaster powder. The “ink” in this process is actually the binder that holds the powder together. There are 5 different colored binders that are mixed to directly create the colors of the model while simultaneously creating the shape.
Two printing heads pass over the batch, coloring and adhering to the object at the same time. The third dimension is created by printing each layer on top of the previous layer and binding the printed sections across the layers. After finishing one layer, the printing platform moves downward (0.088 or 0.1 mm), new plaster is applied and the next layer is printed. This process then goes on and repeats as often as needed.
After successful printing, the model is still soft and fragile. The model is carefully cleaned in this semi-finished state and finally infiltrated with an acrylic compound (commonly known as ‘super glue’). This infiltration provides the model’s strength. In our Premium Finishing process, models go through two additional steps of surface enhancement after infiltration, this is above and beyond the standard manufacturer recommended process.
After successful printing, the model is still soft and fragile. The model is carefully cleaned in this semi-finished state and finally infiltrated with an acrylic compound (commonly known as ‘super glue’). This infiltration provides the model’s strength. In our finishing process, models go through two additional steps of surface enhancement after infiltration, this is above and beyond the standard manufacturer recommended process.
Why choose Colorjet 3D printing?
If you are looking for a solution to print multicolor projects, Colorjet is the technology you need. It is offering freedom of design and a large choice of colors.
Please note that as the material is painted during the process, the file uploaded to the FacFox must also contain the texture information.
390,000 colors
Composite Multicolor prints are the most rapid and economic way to arrive at a full-colored object.
Anti-UV varnish
Your object is given an anti-UV varnish to protect it from extensive light exposure. But keep in mind it’s not water-resistant.
Delicate
Be careful. Parts printed with Colojet technology are delicate. We will pack the prints with thick and hard foam. Please don’t have any chance to let it falls or else it may break up.
No need for support structures
Similar to SLS printing technology, the plaster powder can support the print during forming. Thus cost-saving and eco-friendly.
Cost-efficient
Printing a 10cm-high figure with Colorjet printing technology would cost less than $50, cheaper than printing the same garage kit with SLA printing technology. And the resin garage kits would have extra painting costs.
Applications
Colorjet is the only 3D printing technology here that can 3D print in full color. This makes it the perfect technology for figurines, avatars, 3D scans, or anything that require full color!
Architectural models
Conventional architectural model building involves a lot of manual work and is, therefore, a cost and time-consuming process. With Colorjet 3D Printing, the various pieces, colors, and textures of the model can be created during printing and be finished overnight while you sleep – saving time and money. Since designs are almost always created by the architects as 3D models, a 3D printer does not require much extra work, to easily and efficiently create a model for presentation to investors, customers, or internal stakeholders.
Exhibition Models
It often won’t work taking entire machines to fairs or exhibitions. With the Colorjet technology, small, full-color replicas can be taken to the events or sales pitches, to present your products as realistic miniaturized models.
Models for Science and Education
3D Figures
3D printing can bring photography into 3D figures. Rather than just having an image, they allow us to create small, full-color statues of ourselves or loved ones.
Material
The standard material for Colorjet printing is plaster powder. More details about the material can be found here.
The material is often referred to as full-color sandstone because it looks and feels similar. However, unlike sandstone, it is not weatherproof. After the standard production process, the surface is rough and very sensitive to moisture. For more discerning customers we developed a Premium Finishing process which adds process steps to smooth the surface and protect the material with a clear coating. This is particularly important in humid climates.
The ‘raw material’ is plaster powder, which is bound by colored glue. While the material is not harmful to touch, it is not food safe. It also should not be used for toys, since parts can easily break off and become a hazard to children.
Finishing
Standard
- Clean part from excess powder
- Infiltration with cyanoacrylate (‘super glue’), to increase stability
- Surface smoothing
- Clear coat sealing
Optional
- Epoxy coating
- Epoxy infiltration
- Spray painting
Cases by FacFox
Colorjet 3D Printed Sandstone Statue of A Little Girl Embracing Her Teddy Bear
ColorJet 3D Printed Full-color Sandstone Couple Statue as a Wedding Decoration
ColorJet 3D Printed Man Holding a Big Fish Sandstone Statue
CJP 3D Printed Full-color Sandstone Brothers Statue
