OWL Nano 3D Printer Achieves 100 Nanometer Resolution

 3D Printing  

OWL Nano is a watershed product in desktop 3D printing, maintaining a minimum layer thickness 100x thinner than any other desktop 3D printers in the $2,000 - $5,000 price range.

Old World Laboratories (OWL) recently launched its newest 3D printer, the OWL Nano. Unlike most RepRap-style DIY 3D printers that use plastic extrusion to build 3D objects, the OWL Nano uses stereolithography (SL) technology, where a laser beam is used to solidify UV curable material in layers.

According to OWL, stereolithographic printing is the gold standard in 3D printing. The technology uses a laser beam to build up the computer-designed 3D structure, layer by layer, from a liquid polymer that hardens on contact with laser light.

The OWL Nano supports a build volume of 200 x 200 x 200mm yet is a compact 3D printer that fits in any workspace. The company claims the OWL Nano prints objects with a resolution 100x more precise than its closest competitor in the $2,000 – $5,000 price range.

Related articles Accelerating Nano 3D Printing  3D Printing and the Future of Stuff  3D Printing Directly From Thought

"The OWL Nano offers the accuracy and reliability of significantly more expensive, larger machines," said Nicholas Liverman, partner, Old World Laboratories.

"OWL Nano's leap in resolution and accuracy stems from its next-generation stereolithography technology," says the company. "Unlike other stereolithographic printers, which bounce a laser beam off mirrors before it reaches the object being printed, the OWL Nano positions its laser source just centimeters from the structure. This decreases beam distortion and allows the highly tuned, single strand laser to focus on an area as small as 100 nanometers. The OWL Nano's laser also maintains a perfect perpendicular position below the object it is forming, which creates a more balanced 3D print." "In addition, it also minimizes fumes – eliminating the need for additional room ventilation – and helps stabilize operating temperature."

The technical specifications for the OWL Nano: 

Printing technology: Stereolithography (SLA)
Layer Resolution: 100 nanometers
Build Volume: 288 in3 (6L x 6W x 8H in) / 4,500,000 mm3 (150L x 150W x 200H mm)
Weight: 45 lbs
Power: 1.4 A, 120 V
Build Temperature: 72 – 77 F
Build Materials: Acrylate, Photopolymer Resin
Software: Netfabb, Marlin Filmare (included)
O.S. Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
Travel Case: Pelican (included)
The OWL Nano desktop 3D printer is priced at $4,900.

SOURCE  3Ders

By 33rd Square

Subscribe to 33rd Square