Figure 4
INDUSTRY’S FIRST SCALABLE, FULLY-INTEGRATED ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING PLATFORM
The revolutionary Figure 4 platform produces plastic parts more than 50 times faster than current systems, delivering dramatically lower total cost of operations.
The Figure 4 platform will transform production of mass customized and complex end use parts while meeting durability and repeatability requirements of production environments.
Scalable, Modular and Automated
The platform allows customers to tailor configurations and select materials to address specific applications. Configurations range from single-print engine machines to fully automated, high-volume production systems with 16 or more print engines, automated material delivery and integrated post-processing.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE – FIGURE 4 VS. TRADITIONAL SLA |
||
Figure 4 Production Configuration with 16 Print Engines |
Improvement |
|
Printers Required |
225 x |
Fewer |
Annual Throughput Per Printer (prints) |
225 x |
Higher |
Facility Floor Space (sq ft) |
26 x |
Lower |
Printer Upkeep Labor |
45 x |
Lower |
Labor Cost |
4 x |
Lower |
Initial Investment |
23 x |
Lower |
TCO – 5 Years, Full Fleet |
3.5 x |
Lower |
Part (1 million units per year) |
Improvement |
|
Cost Per Part (in dollars) |
71% |
Lower |
Average Print Time Per Part (in hours) |
14.1 x |
Faster |
Material Waste (in grams) |
1.5 x |
Lower |
Figures in table are estimates based on the results of 3D Systems tests conducted in a laboratory setting.
- Fewer printers with better throughput result in lower investment and higher material utilization.
- Cost per Figure 4 produced parts approximately 30% of traditional SLA.
Digital Dentistry
The Figure 4 technology and 3D Systems NextDent biocompatible materials come together as a next-generation additive manufacturing platform for digital dentistry that delivers better, faster and more predictable patient treatments with disruptive total cost of operations.
Total Cost of Operations Improvement
The new platform is able to achieve improvements of up to 10 times in total cost of operations, along with significantly reduced fabrication times and far less material waste compared to conventional production of a range of indications.
Modular
This modular printer platform enables smaller labs to cost-effectively produce thousands of crowns or other dental products per year, while providing fully automated solutions for larger labs producing more than 1 million crowns or other dental indications per year.
NextDent Materials
The Figure 4 platform leverages 3D Systems’ acquisition of NextDent’s portfolio of 12 clinically effective materials with regulatory approvals in over 70 countries for a range of indications, from crown and bridge, to surgical guides, orthodontic splints and dentures.
