1-to-1 expands its offerings in surface refinement

From cream-colored to colorful: As one of the first companies worldwide, the Vorarlberg high-tech company 1zu1 enables dyeing of laser-sintered parts in your desired colors. (Copyright: Inscript/Joanna Kröll)

From cream-colored to colorful: As one of the first companies worldwide, the Vorarlberg high-tech company 1zu1 enables dyeing of laser-sintered parts in your desired colors. (Copyright: Inscript/Joanna Kröll)

From cream-colored to colorful: As one of the first companies worldwide, the Vorarlberg high-tech company 1zu1 enables dyeing of laser-sintered parts in your desired colors. (Copyright: Inscript/Joanna Kröll)

From cream-colored to colorful: As one of the first companies worldwide, the Vorarlberg high-tech company 1zu1 enables dyeing of laser-sintered parts in your desired colors. (Copyright: Inscript/Joanna Kröll)

From cream-colored to colorful: As one of the first companies worldwide, the Vorarlberg high-tech company 1zu1 enables dyeing of laser-sintered parts in your desired colors. (Copyright: Inscript/Joanna Kröll)

At the Rapid Prototyping Center of 1zu1, there are currently ten modern laser sintering systems available. A new technology now also allows for dyeing the parts. (Copyright: Darko Todorovic)

As one of the few companies worldwide, 1zu1 has been offering coloring of laser-sintered parts for several weeks. The Vorarlberg high-tech company has also significantly expanded its surface finishing services. The reason: increasingly, series parts are being produced using 3D printing. Customers need colored parts, want logos or batch numbers printed, engrave lettering, and more.

Since a few weeks, high-tech manufacturer 1zu1 in Dornbirn (Vorarlberg/Austria) has been offering heat-colored laser-sintered parts. This is made possible by a new technology specifically developed for this 3D printing process. It is currently used by only a few companies worldwide. "We are among the first users to be able to fulfill this long-held customer wish," says Markus Schrittwieser, Head of Additive Manufacturing at 1zu1.

Until now, painting was the only way to obtain a colored SLS-printed part. However, the color application slightly alters the dimensions, and for example, threads no longer function optimally. Additionally, the surface is sensitive to scratches.

Colored Laser Sintered Parts

The new coloring technique impregnates parts made of polyamide under pressure and at high temperatures. Depending on their size, several hundred parts can fit into the drum at once. The processing times in 3D printing hardly increase. Series of up to 40,000 pieces have already been refined with the new system.

Positive side effect: the surface becomes silky matte. The appearance and feel are even closer to the previous series parts. "Customers who previously had their parts painted are all thrilled," reports Schrittwieser. His assessment: "The coloring process can't do everything, but it does a lot. We can now offer additively manufactured series parts in larger quantities, with short lead times, and very cost-effectively in color."

Additional Technologies

1zu1 has also expanded its range of surface finishing technologies. Pad printing, digital printing, hot foil embossing, laser engraving, and laser cutting are now offered in-house. "The higher level of manufacturing depth provides great advantages for our customers," says Managing Director Hannes Hämmerle. "We have the know-how in-house and can advise our customers even better, guarantee quality and confidentiality ourselves, and at the same time significantly shorten delivery times."

Additive Series Production

"Complete solutions are becoming increasingly important as additive processes are used more often," explains Hämmerle. The parts must meet all requirements both functionally and in design at every stage of product development. "Therefore, we continuously analyze not only new manufacturing processes but also surface finishing methods," emphasizes Hämmerle. "In recent months, we have significantly expanded our capabilities."