Last updated on 29 April 2021
Somos® QuickGen 500 is a fast-printing DLP/LCD material with a print speed 2x faster than similar materials. It offers accurate printing for general and functional prototypes.
Somos® QuickGen 500 is a fast-printing, general purpose resin for DLP/LCD printing with unique flexibility. It is more flexible than other resins, but stiffer than elastomers, offering both flexibility and spring back. The material has substantial elongation and a lower modulus with no significant strain rate dependence on elongation at break. This results in consistent performance independent of how quickly force or strain are applied. An economical resin, Somos® QuickGen 500 can quickly produce high volumes due to its high printing speeds and fast post-processing.
Download the technical data sheet here.
| Property | Value | Comments |
| Ec | 4.85 mJ/cm² | Simple Exposure Test; Working Curve |
| Dp | 0.160 mils | 385 nm DLP, 5 mW/cm² measured intensity |
| E10 | 22 mJ/cm² | |
| Time/Energy to cure 0.05 mm layer | 1.50 s | 7.5 mJ/cm² | |
| Time/Energy to cure 0.10 mm layer | 2.44 s | 12.2 mJ/cm² | |
| Time/Energy to cure 0.15 mm layer | 3.80 s | 19.0 mJ/cm² | |
| Time/Energy to cure 0.20 mm layer | 5.84 s | 29.2 mJ/cm² |
Exposure testing was performed using a 385 nm DLP light engine. A 0.2 mm PTFE membrane was placed over the light engine housing and the resin was cured on the membrane. At a wavelength of 385 nm, the E10, defined by energy dose required to cure a layer to 10 mil (0.250 mm) thickness was calculated to be 0.24 J/cm2.
Please adhere to the following guidelines:
We recommend the following room conditions:
When replacing material, make sure you clean the vat thoroughly, dispose of used material and cleaning products (solvents, paper towels, etc.) properly and follow vat installation procedures.
Contact your equipment supplier for up-to-date technical support for your equipment. Below are a few common checks that will help you build parts successfully:
Build parameters are subject to site conditions and machine efficiency. The parameters mentioned below can be considered base settings that you can tweak for improved styles.
Before beginning a new build, check the resin chamber for crashed parts and cured resin, ensuring the bottom of the vat is intact since the resin may have high adhesion forces. Confirm the machine is properly calibrated and has predictable energy delivery on all areas of the build platform.
For builds of all layer thicknesses, allow a first layer burn-in exposure dose of 100 mJ/cm2, assuming the printer is a 385 nm DLP, with two additional layers at 50 mJ/cm2.
Parts can be densely packed if the part design is short and/or rigid, with a Z-wait as low as 1 second per layer.
Longer parts printed in the “Z” direction or thin-walled parts can begin to flex slightly in the later stages of the build or after appreciable height of thin-walled parts are achieved, though this should not affect part quality. For these kinds of parts, increase part spacing to a minimum of 2 mm, and increase the Z-wait to a minimum of 2 seconds per layer.
Printing at under 0.10 mm layer thicknesses may need increased z-wait to compensate for lower modulus “green” parts and reduced gap for resin flow.
Printing at over 0.15 mm layer thicknesses may lead to increased separation forces between membrane and green part, though this should not affect overall print.
In some areas, partially cured or uncured waste UV material may be classified as hazardous waste, and requires special packaging.
Contact the governmental or other body that regulates waste disposal in your area to determine the disposal protocols.
Packaging-Transportation-Disposal methods must prevent any form of human contact with the waste UV material, even if it is classified as nonhazardous or unregulated. This therefore precludes the use of disposal methods that might result in groundwater or surface water contamination.
Solvents should be isolated in a sealed, marked container and disposed of as “hazardous waste” in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Soiled clothing, empty containers, etc., should be disposed of in accordance with the applicable “hazardous waste” guidelines. If any of these items contain uncured or partially cured UV-curable materials, the disposal method used must prevent any form of human contact, including any that could result in groundwater or surface water contamination.
Below are some examples of common issues and troubleshooting solutions. Consult this part of the guide if you are having difficulties and do not hesitate to contact our Tech Support.
Delamination occurs on the bottom layer of parts at the corners or on part edges, most commonly at interface between support and part.
Solution: increase exposure at bottom facing layers, most critically at first 0.3 mm of part.
The bottom surface of the part is not smooth and level.
Solution: increase energy exposure, reduce support break point diameter, reduce peel speed between layers.
Get in touch with our experts to discuss how Covestro can help you tap into the full potential of additive manufacturing.
