Material tray

3D printing tutorial #1

Successful printing processes

In 3D printing, the success of the printing process depends on many factors - material, printing speed, temperature, layer thickness, etc. An often underestimated but crucial component for the success of the printing process is the material tray. This inconspicuous component plays a key role in whether the 3D printed object succeeds or fails. But why is this the case? And what can be done to keep the material tray in optimum condition?

What makes the material tray so important?

Damage or soiling of the tray can drastically affect the print result - from blurred details to complete misprints. It becomes particularly problematic if the thin FEP film covering the base of the tray becomes worn or dirty. This film is the only separating element between the resin and the UV light source that cures the material.

The role of the FEP film

The FEP film is made of a special material that is both UV-permeable and tear-resistant. It enables the resin to cure evenly and serves as a non-stick surface on which the individual layers of the 3D print are built up. However, this film is also extremely susceptible to wear. Scratches, cracks or dirt on the film can lead to light scattering and thus to uneven curing of the resin. Mechanical forces act on the film during movement. Over time, indentations or deformations can form in the film, which impair light transmission and lead to inaccuracies, resulting in blurred details, unclean edges and possibly completely unsuccessful prints.

How to prevent printing errors due to the material tray

Caution: Always wear nitrile gloves when handling liquid resin!

1. regular cleaning
The tray should be thoroughly cleaned regularly and always after a misprint to remove residual material. A soft silicone spatula helps to remove the resin without damaging the film. Make sure that the tray is also cleaned from below, as even small resin residues at the bottom can lead to scattered light. Isopropanol is ideal for cleaning the film and the base of the tray without leaving any residue.

2. filter the resin
When cleaning, make sure that the resin is free of particles. Filtering the resin with a varnish filter (approx. 190 μm) prevents hardened plastic particles or dirt from impairing the print result.

Tip: "Do it yourself" - dentona offers a CAD file for a practical screw-on funnel suitable for the optiprint aluminium bottles. The file can be downloaded free of charge at www.dentona.de.

3. check the condition of the FEP film
Scratches, cracks or a milky discolouration of the film are clear signs that the film / material tray needs to be replaced. The film should be inspected against the light as often as possible to ensure that there is no damage. Regular inspection will give you a sense of when the film has reached the end of its service life.

Conclusion: Small changes, big impact

The material tray may appear to be a simple component at first glance, but its impact on the printing process is immense. A poorly maintained or damaged material tray can disrupt the entire printing process and affect the result. Regular maintenance, cleaning and filtering of the resin can ensure that the material tray delivers optimum printing results for a long time.

With simple measures, problems can be recognised and rectified at an early stage. Stay tuned to ask dentona - here, solutions for everyday challenges in the dental laboratory are explained step by step - compact, practical and directly implementable.

Matthias Mohr