Z Corporation (commonly abbreviated Z Corp.) 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
3-D, 3D, or 3d may refer to:
Science, technology, and mathematics Relating to three-dimensionality
* Three-dimensional space
** 3D computer graphics, computer graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data
** 3D film, a ...
on January 3, 2012.
ZPrinting relates to the
z axis
Z (or z) is the 26th and last letter of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its usual names in English are ''zed'' () and ''zee'' (), with an occas ...
, and adds depth to the other 2 axes x and y, as does 3D printing.
In 1993, ZPrinting was developed at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private land-grant research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Established in 1861, MIT has played a key role in the development of modern technology and science, and is one of th ...
as a new 3D printing technology. In many other
rapid prototyping
Rapid prototyping is a group of techniques used to quickly fabricate a scale model of a physical part or assembly using three-dimensional computer aided design (CAD) data.
Construction of the part or assembly is usually done using 3D printing ...
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
Inkjet printing is a type of computer printing that recreates a digital image by propelling droplets of ink onto paper and plastic substrates. Inkjet printers were the most commonly used type of printer in 2008, and range from small inexpens ...
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. Parts can be built on a ZPrinter at a rate of approximately 1 vertical inch per hour.
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. Color can be used to simulate the appearance of other materials (as in architectural models or product prototypes ), to highlight surface structures or add annotations to models (as in models used to plan
surgeries
Surgery ''cheirourgikē'' (composed of χείρ, "hand", and ἔργον, "work"), via la, chirurgiae, meaning "hand work". is a medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a person to investigate or treat a pat ...
), or to display the results of structural analyses (such as
finite element analysis
The finite element method (FEM) is a popular method for numerically solving differential equations arising in engineering and mathematical modeling. Typical problem areas of interest include the traditional fields of structural analysis, heat ...
) 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.
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.
See also
*
3D printing
3D printing or additive manufacturing is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. It can be done in a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer co ...
*
3D scanning
3D scanning is the process of analyzing a real-world object or environment to collect data on its shape and possibly its appearance (e.g. color). The collected data can then be used to construct digital 3D modelling, 3D models.
A 3D scanner can ...
References
{{Reflist
External links
Watch Video on Z Corporation
Official website
Computer printer companies
3D imaging