Tethon 3D, a developer of ceramic 3D printing materials, has launched a new photo-curing ceramic polymer resin for use in SLA and DLP printers.
Castalite is said to be suitable for use in the manufacture of ceramic shell moulds in metal casting processes. Supported by kiln firing, Castalite boats high heat and thermal shock tolerances, making it an ideal for use in the casting of bronze, gold, silver, and aluminium.
Tethon 3D was founded in 2011 in Omaha, Nebraska, and in 2016 launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring its Porcelite 3D printing resin to market, where it raised more than $20,000. Currently, the company manufactures all products, which include resins for jet binder 3d printing as well as SLA and DLP, in the United States. It distributes these products to more than 40 countries around the world, and also provides services in 3D modelling, scanning and ceramic 3D printing. This latest product expands the offering of Tethon and serves to provide better quality prints for the company’s vast customer base.
“Castalite adds another premium material to our product catalogue that compliments the growth seen in SLA and DLP hardware,” said Karen Linder, President and CEO of Tethon 3D. “Recent improvements in 3D printer technology provide higher resolution details in the casted metal part and faster print times. Most printers can print at 25 micron print layers and Castalite demonstrates excellent resolution at that level.”
Moulds with a sprue and gate are 3D printed directly in Castalite, followed by high temperature furnace firing. This produces a ceramic shell model ready to accept liquid metals. Tethon say an advantage of using Castalite to directly print a mould is the elimination of a wax model or other pre-mould steps, as in traditional casting techniques. The Castalite process is said to increase the speed of production and decreases the quantity of material used, resulting in a cost reduction. Tethon expects the Castalite resin to have most impact in traditional and advanced manufacturing applications, as well as the engineering and jewellery industries.
