3Diligent's Sheet Lamination 3D Printing Service provides customers a cost-effective avenue to pursue full color 3D mockups, especially for less complex geometries. Have a project that fits that description? Submit an RFQ or email us with details on your project and we'll be in touch to discuss further.
Process Overview
Sheet Lamination is the process of building up a part using sheets of material, commonly paper or metal foil. In this process, sheets of material are bound together to build up a part. For paper, this binding is achieved with adhesive or laminate, whereas ultrasonic waves are used with metal to cause the sheets of foil to vibrate and mesh. In both versions of the process, the outline of the part is cut into the sheet with a laser or a blade, a process that can take place after each layer or a number of layers. This process is great for full color prints of visual mock ups that are not terribly complex, have internal structures, or expected to undergo very much stress. Additionally, the process is useful for metal printing processes where the thermal stress of melting metal powder would be problematic.
Branded Processes (Also Known As)
- Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)
- Selective Deposition Lamination (SDL)
- Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM)
Process At A Glance
Common Materials
Paper, Aluminum, Copper
Standard Tolerance
.004" (.100 mm)
Stock Surface Finish
350-850 µin Ra
Lead Time
3-10 Business Days
Maximum Size
12"x10"x10" (300mm x 250mm x 250mm)
Minimum Layer Thickness
.002" (50 microns)
Minimum Feature Size
0.008" (0.200mm)
Minimum Wall Thickness
xxx" (xxxmm)
Advantages
- Full Color Prints - LOM/SDL can print in the whole color spectrum
- Relatively Affordable - Get your high quality parts without breaking your budget
- Solid Body Models - Stock material comes in sheets which means hollowing body is not necessary
- No Material State Change - With regards to metal LOM, the process doesn't require melting, which can provide some advantages for applications where that would pose an issue
Limitations
- Low durability - To successfully be jetted from an ink head, fairly low viscosity - and thus typically less durable - materials are also required. Further, as a general rule, photopolymers weaken over time, especially when exposed to light.
- Downward facing surfaces - Support structures required, the removal of which can impact surface finish and post-processing speed
Example Machines
- mCor Technologies Iris
- mCor Technologies Matrix 300
- Fabrisonic UAM
Example Materials
- Paper
- Aluminum
- Copper
