---
title: "Lithography-based Ceramics Manufacturing (LCM)"
url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/additive-manufacturing/am-technologies/what-is-lcm-technology/
date: 2017-12-13
modified: 2017-12-14
lang: en
author: "VoxelMatters"
description: "What is Lithography-based Ceramics Manufacturing? LCM is a proprietary additive manufacturing technology developed by Lithoz, based on a DLP photopolymerization process. The technology was initially developed at TU Vienna more than..."
word_count: 376
---

# Lithography-based Ceramics Manufacturing (LCM)

# What is Lithography-based Ceramics Manufacturing?

LCM is a proprietary additive manufacturing technology developed by Lithoz, based on a DLP photopolymerization process. The technology was initially developed at TU Vienna more than a decade ago in 2006, by the same engineers who would go on to found Lithoz in 2011. Lithoz manufactures the CeraFab systems — the CeraFab 7500 and the CeraFab 8500 — and produces a number of ceramic-based materials: alumina, zirconia, silicon nitride, and tricalcium phosphate. Furthermore, the CeraFab systems are an open system allowing them to work with a great variety of customer-specific ceramic-based materials such as, among others, dielectrical ceramics, hydroxyapatite, bioglass, cermet, cordierite, porcelain and magnesium oxide. More information on these materials can be found [here](http://www.lithoz.com/application/files/5215/0877/5973/Materialfolder_EN_print.pdf). Applications for this technology vary from medical to jewellery to consumer products, as well as various industrial applications.

| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| ---------- | ------------- |
| - Market leader for installed systems | - High cost of hardwre |
| - high resolution | - High cost of materials |
| - Widest selection of materials | - Lack of market awareness |

## How does LCM work?

LCM works by polymerizing a ceramic powder suspended in a photosensitive resin. An LED light source projects onto the resin, and through mask exposure, selectively cures the resin and builds up the part layer-by-layer. This is the green part, which as Lithoz explain, can be viewed as a "*composite of ceramic particles within a photopolymer matrix*" acting to bind together the ceramic particles. The green part must then go through thermal post-processing: debinding to remove the photopolymer matrix and sintering to achieve final part density.

https://youtu.be/L95qa-MUfds

## Available LCM 3D printers:

![Lithoz LCM technology for 3D printing Ceramics](https://www.voxelmatters.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Lithoz-cerafab_009.jpg)

Lithoz manufactures two LCM machines, the CeraFab7500 and the CeraFab 8500. The two machines have an effective building volume of 76 × 43 × 170 mm 115 × 64 × 200mm respectively.

| Model |  CeraFab 8500 |
| ----- | -------------- |
| Manufacturer |  Lithoz |
| Price (approx.) | $300,000 |
| Technology |  LCM (laser stereolithography) |
| Materials |  Technical Ceramics - LithaCon Zirconia, Lithaloz/Lithalox Alumina, Lithanit Silicon Nitride, Lithabone TCP |
| Effective Build Volume |  115 x 64 x 150 mm |
| Layer Thickness |  25 μm |

You can find more information and the specifications for the machine [here](http://www.lithoz.com/application/files/6915/0851/3760/lithoz_folder2017_EN_webres_Okt_2017.pdf).

### Further reading on Lithoz and LCM:

[• AM Ceramics Event in Vienna Explores Latest Developments in 3D Printing of Ceramics](https://www.voxelmatters.com//ceramics-event-vienna-explores-latest-development-3d-printing-ceramics/)
[• SmarTech Issues First Report on Traditional and Technical Ceramics AM](https://www.voxelmatters.com//smartech-issues-first-report-traditional-technical-ceramics/)
[• Lithoz Establishes a Subsidiary in America to Support Ceramics 3D Printing](https://www.voxelmatters.com//ceramics-3d-printing-pioneer-lithoz-establishes-a-subsidiary-in-america/)