FAQ

At the heart of the 3D imaging, scanning and rapid prototyping is time compression—roughly, the concept of packing ever more things into smaller packages without a loss of data. Time compression technologies refer to any technologies that shorten the gap between design and development phases.

A 3D scanner is a device that analyzes and captures the geometry of an environment or a physical object’s surface. The data can be delivered and stored in many formats: xyz point clouds, surface models, polygon mesh models, solid models, cross sections or splines. The scan data can be converted further to read in any CAD program. Data sets from 3D scans can be used for many different things, like inspection reporting, molding, or reverse engineering. Three-dimensional scanning is perfect for parts that must be inspected but have a complex geometry or for solving dimensional issues. The dense measurement data from a 3D scan can be brought into a software suite such as GeoMagic Qualify and compared to a CAD file or an existing “good” part and yield comprehensive inspection reports. As an .STL or .SLC file, data from a 3D scan can be used by rapid prototyping systems or to generate a milling cutter path, eliminating inaccuracy and generating a perfect mold the first time. With the data afforded by a 3D scan, extracting the digital shape off any 3D object is possible, allowing you to troubleshoot, reproduce or redesign any tool, mold or part you need. 3D scans have even been used for forensic applications and authenticating art pieces.

3D Printing has nothing to do with traditional ink and paper printing. Rather, 3D printing refers to creating a three dimensional object using a materials printer from a digital file. Over the last ten years, 3D printing has provided an advantage to businesses across an ever-growing list of industries, including industrial design, architecture, engineering and construction, automotive, aerospace, petroleum, dental and medical, civil engineering, art and fashion, geographic information systems, and many others.

Broadly, additive manufacturing is the process of creating an end-use object by laying down successive layers of a material. This is opposed to subtractive manufacturing technologies, such as milling or traditional machining. Additive manufacturing is extremely versatile—it can create almost any geometry, even parts that cannot be created using commercial processes like injection molding.

3D sculpting—also sometimes called digital sculpting—is the process of using software with tools that can push, pull, pinch, smooth, knead, grab or otherwise change a digital object as if it were made of a real substance, such as clay.

PolyJet Matrix™ Technology, a new direction in 3D printing, is the first technology that enables simultaneous jetting of different types of model materials, available on Connex family of 3D Printing Systems. PolyJet Matrix opens up virtually unlimited opportunities for closely emulating the look, feel and function of final products. It provides the technology foundation for cutting edge 3D printing systems that can, in a single build process, print parts and assemblies made of several materials with different mechanical and physical properties. More than that, PolyJet Matrix also allows on-demand fabrication of composite materials, called Digital Materials™. Expanding the innovation leadership position that Objet established with the launch of its original PolyJet Technology, this totally unique technology brings an unprecedented level of flexibility and efficiency to 3D printing.