Z Corporation
Encyclopedia
Z Corporation is a manufacturer of 3D printers
capable of printing multicolored parts, rapid prototyping machines that build plastic prototypes and 3D scanner
s. Z Corporation is headquartered in Burlington
, Massachusetts
, USA.
The company name relates to the z axis which adds depth to the other 2 axes x,y as does 3D printing.
In 1995, Z Corp. obtained an exclusive license for a new 3D printing technology developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
. As in many other rapid prototyping
processes, the part to be printed is built up from many thin cross sections
of the 3D model. In Z Corp. 3D printers, an inkjet
-like printing head moves across a bed of powder, selectively depositing a liquid binding material
in the shape of the section. A fresh layer of powder is spread across the top of the model, and the process is repeated. 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.
In 2010, Z Corporation introduced a rapid prototyping machine that builds functional prototypes out of a plastic like material. This rapid prototyping machine builds parts additively using a high-resolution Digital Light Processing (DLP) projector to image an entire cross section at once thereby solidifying a liquid photopolymer and creating a durable plastic part. These machines enable the user to verify designs for form, fit and function prior to full-scale production.
), or to display the results of structural analyses (such as finite element analysis
) directly on the model surface.
Recently, Z Corp. printers have been used to manufacture custom avatars and figurines from video games such as World of Warcraft
in full color .
3D printing
3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing technology where a three dimensional object is created by laying down successive layers of material. 3D printers are generally faster, more affordable, and easier to use than other additive manufacturing technologies. However, the term 3D printing is...
capable of printing multicolored parts, rapid prototyping machines that build plastic prototypes and 3D scanner
3D scanner
A 3D scanner is a device that analyzes a real-world object or environment to collect data on its shape and possibly its appearance . The collected data can then be used to construct digital, three dimensional models....
s. Z Corporation is headquartered in Burlington
Burlington, Massachusetts
Burlington is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 24,498 at the 2010 census.- History :It is believed that Burlington takes its name from the English town of Bridlington, however this has never been confirmed....
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, USA.
The company name relates to the z axis which adds depth to the other 2 axes x,y as does 3D printing.
In 1995, Z Corp. obtained an exclusive license for a new 3D printing technology developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
. As in many other rapid prototyping
Rapid prototyping
Rapid prototyping is the automatic construction of physical objects using additive manufacturing technology. The first techniques for rapid prototyping became available in the late 1980s and were used to produce models and prototype parts. Today, they are used for a much wider range of applications...
processes, the part to be printed is built up from many thin cross sections
Cross section (geometry)
In geometry, a cross-section is the intersection of a figure in 2-dimensional space with a line, or of a body in 3-dimensional space with a plane, etc...
of the 3D model. In Z Corp. 3D printers, an inkjet
Inkjet printer
An inkjet printer is a type of computer printer that creates a digital image by propelling droplets of ink onto paper. Inkjet printers are the most commonly used type of printer and range from small inexpensive consumer models to very large professional machines that can cost up to thousands of...
-like printing head moves across a bed of powder, selectively depositing a liquid binding material
Binder (material)
-See also:*Adhesive or Glue*Cement*Paint...
in the shape of the section. A fresh layer of powder is spread across the top of the model, and the process is repeated. 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.
In 2010, Z Corporation introduced a rapid prototyping machine that builds functional prototypes out of a plastic like material. This rapid prototyping machine builds parts additively using a high-resolution Digital Light Processing (DLP) projector to image an entire cross section at once thereby solidifying a liquid photopolymer and creating a durable plastic part. These machines enable the user to verify designs for form, fit and function prior to full-scale production.
Color printing
Unique among rapid prototyping technologies, Z Corp printers can print parts in full color, by varying the color of the binding liquid applied by the printing head at any location. 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 surgeriesSurgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
), or to display the results of structural analyses (such as finite element analysis
Finite element method
The finite element method is a numerical technique for finding approximate solutions of partial differential equations as well as integral equations...
) directly on the model surface.
Recently, Z Corp. printers have been used to manufacture custom avatars and figurines from video games such as World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the fourth released game set in the fantasy Warcraft universe, which was first introduced by Warcraft: Orcs & Humans in 1994...
in full color .