Structo Introduces New Line of MSLA 3D Printers

Dental 3D printing solutions provider, Structo, has announced a new line of dental 3D printers releasing later this year. Powered by the company’s next-generation, proprietary technology, Mask Stereolithography (MSLA) 2.0, the new ST-01 and ST-32 3D printers introduce better efficiency and unit economics for dental and orthodontic laboratories, according to a press release from Structo.

"Macroeconomic challenges such as the global labor crunch, and supply chain uncertainties from the pandemic have led to increased day-to-day operational costs for our customers, hurting their bottom line," said Desmond Lim, Structo's CEO. "The team knew these were pressing issues that need to be addressed immediately, and we are happy to be announcing a new range of solutions targeted at solving these immediate challenges.”

The ST-01 is a floor standing MSLA-powered 3D printer that is designed for high-throughput digital production in dental and orthodontic labs. With a build volume of 221 x 129 x 200 mm, dental labs will be able to deploy the printer for high throughput production. For labs manufacturing clear aligners, ST-01 has a throughput of 9 clear aligner models every 15 minutes, according to Structo. Paired with the company’s solventless post-processing workflow, users will be able to get parts ready for thermoforming in 30 minutes. It is also designed for medium and large dental and orthodontic labs.

The ST-32 is an MSLA-powered 3D printer built with automation features to enable lights-out manufacturing. Incorporating automation elements in an enclosed cell, ST-32 allows for the continuous printing of clear aligner models with minimal labor by eliminating several non-value-add processes in between print jobs, according to the press release.

The ST-32 incorporates a gantry system that automates the changeover process in between print jobs. Each job is printed on an EZrelease magnetic sheet, with full traceability, which allows for easier part removal further down the process. Once a job is completed, the gantry system will remove the sheet with the freshly-printed parts and store it in a magazine within the cell. It will then insert a new EZrelease sheet to start a new print job. This automation allows dental labs to run after-hours print jobs, returning the next day to an entire magazine of printed models ready for the next phase in their appliance-making process. At peak capacity, ST-32 will be able to print up to 24 EZrelease sheets in an 8-hour span without the need for technician intervention. The magazine will be able to store up to 32 sheets at any given time.