Z Corporation

3D Systems ZPrinters
Genre3D Imaging/Printing/Prototyping
Founded1986 (1986)
Headquarters
Rock Hill, South Carolina,
,
United States

Z Corporation (commonly abbreviated Z Corp.) it a company that makes 3D printing and scanning technologies. It was founded in December 1994 by Marina Hatsopoulos, Walter Bornhorst, James Bredt and Tim Anderson, based on a technology developed at MIT under the direction of Professor Ely Sachs. The Company was sold to Contex Holding in August 2005, and was ultimately acquired by 3D Systems on January 3, 2012.

History and background

In 1993, ZPrinting was developed in Building 20 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a new 3D printing technology.[1][2] ZPrinting relates to the z axis, and adds depth to the other 2 axes x and y, as does 3D printing.[3] In many other rapid prototyping processes, the part to be printed is built up from many thin cross sections of the 3D model. In ZPrinters, a printing head which is similar to inkjet moves across a bed of powder, selectively depositing a liquid binding material in the shape of the section. The operator is required to spread a fresh layer of powder across the top of the model, and repeat the process. When the model is complete, unbound powder is automatically removed.[4] Parts can be built on a ZPrinter at a rate of approximately 1 vertical inch per hour.

In 1997 Z Corp released what at the time was the fastest available 3-D printer, becoming an early leader in the industry.[5]

In January 2012 Z Corp was acquired by 3D Systems for $137 million USD.[6][7]

Color printing

Zprinters can print components in full color, using inkjet technology from the 2 dimensional printing industry. The color science has been adapted for use in 3 dimensions. The color spectrum of the most capable machines is full cmyk, or up to 6 million colors. Due to the wide range of color choices, the machines are capable of printing gradient color patterns, signifying how the machines differ from other "color" 3D printing systems.[8] Color can be used to simulate the appearance of other materials (as in architectural models or product prototypes [9][10][11]), to highlight surface structures or add annotations to models (as in models used to plan surgeries[12]), or to display the results of structural analyses (such as finite element analysis) directly on the model surface.

Zprinters originally gained recognition through applications in the medical and architectural industry. Recently, they have gained popularity for creating 3D printed models of people from color 3D-scans, avatars from video games (Space Engineers, World of Warcraft, Assassin's Creed), and artistic and realistic sculptures.

As of 2016, 3D Systems rebranded the Z Corp's 3D printing technology as Color Jet. Quickparts.com, the service bureau owned by 3D Systems, offers service from this printing technology.[13][14]

Printer modifications

In 2018, Scott Ziv modified a Z Corp Z402 (the first commercially available machine to use binder jetting) to use selective laser sintering to create 3D objects by fusing glitter.[15][16][17][18]

See also

References

  1. ^ Z Corporation 3D Printing Technology
  2. ^ Grimm, Todd (2004). User's Guide to Rapid Prototyping. SME. p. 163. ISBN 978-0-87263-697-2. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  3. ^ "Origin of Company Name". Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  4. ^ Sclater, Neil; Nicholas P. Chironis (2001). Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook. McGraw-Hill Professional. p. 472. ISBN 978-0-07-136169-9. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  5. ^ Kennedy, Pagan (2016). Inventology: how we dream up things that change the world. Boston: Mariner Books. p. 91. ISBN 9780544811928.
  6. ^ "3D Systems buys Z Corp". Plastics Today. November 21, 2011. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  7. ^ "3D Systems Completes The Acquisition Of Z Corp and Vidar | 3D Systems". www.3dsystems.com. 2012-01-03. Archived from the original on 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
  8. ^ Liou, Frank W. (2007). Rapid Prototyping and Engineering Applications. CRC Press. p. 277. ISBN 978-0-8493-3409-2. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  9. ^ Building Design
  10. ^ Experience Building Online
  11. ^ Civil Engineering News
  12. ^ The Journal of Cranialfacial Surgery
  13. ^ "ColorJet Printing (CJP)". 3D Systems. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  14. ^ "Medical Modeling - Color Jet Printing". medicalmodeling.com. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  15. ^ "Cutting Edge of 3D Printing Revealed At Last Weekend's Midwest RepRap Festival". Hackaday. 2018-03-26. Retrieved 2018-03-28.
  16. ^ "3D Printing Talent and Creativity On Display at Midwest RepRap Festival | 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing". 3dprint.com. Retrieved 2018-03-28.
  17. ^ Thomas Sanladerer (2018-03-28), The most fabulous 3D printer uses Glitter #MRRF2018, retrieved 2018-03-28
  18. ^ "The ReCorp: Restoring the oldest 3D printer… With Glam. | Dream the Impossible Dream". scottziv.com. Retrieved 2018-03-28.