UpNano introduces nano-resolution 2PP technology to 3D print centimeter-size parts in minutes

A high-power laser, an optimized optical pathway, a patented adaptive resolution technology and smart algorithms for laser scanning allowed UpNano to achieve unprecedented high-resolution 3D printing with 2PP technology. Perhaps even more importantly, this resolution can be achieved on centimeter (mes-range) size parts.

Parts with nano- and microscale resolution can now be printed across twelve orders of magnitude – within times never achieved previously. This has been accomplished by the UpNano GmbH from Vienna (Austria), a spin-out of TU Wien, which developed a high-end 2PP 3D printing system that can produce polymeric parts with a volume ranging from 100 to 1012 cubic micrometer. At the same time, the printer allows for nano- and microscale resolution. Recently, the company demonstrated this remarkable capability by printing four models of the Eiffel Tower ranging from 200 micrometers to 4 centimeters – with perfect representation of all minuscule structures within 30 to 540 minutes. With this new evolution,  2PP 3D printing is ready for applications in R&D and industry that seemed so far impossible.

The TU Wien team was among the first in the world to shoe the capabilities of 2-photon polymerization (2PP) 3D-printing, an ultra-precise production technology that so far could only be optimized for a very limited range of scale. Also, production in the centimeter-range (meso-range) took an extremely long time and thus was unattractive for quantitative production in industry. The Austrian firm now demonstrated what seemed impossible: Their NanoOne printing system can produce highly precise parts with nano- and micrometer resolution that range from centi-, to milli- to micrometer in size. And this within minutes.

Photons with power

“We developed and patented an innovative adaptive resolution technology for our 3D printing system”, explained Peter Gruber, head of technology and co-founder of UpNano. “Together with an optimized optical path and smart algorithms, we can utilize the full laser power up to 1 Watt, which is several times more than in comparable systems.” Such a powerful laser delivers enough energy for high-speed printing especially in the adaptive resolution mode. This, in fact, is a significant advantage compared to other systems that use weaker lasers and are therefore limited in throughput.

“The benefit of this innovation – added Bernhard Küenburg, CEO of UpNano – is most notable in the meso-range. The NanoOne system offers significantly faster production times than other systems. Add our patented adaptive resolution technology to this and you end up with a capability to print centimeter large objects with a micrometer resolution in short production cycles.” This algorithm allows a widening of the laser spot up to a factor of 10 in accordance with the specifications of the printed specimen. A simple change of objectives (there are different ones available, ranging from 4x magnification to 100x) allows the production of parts in the micro-range with resolutions at the nanometer scale. This, too, is much faster than other systems thanks to the specific optical pathways, the optimized scan algorithms and the proprietary adaptive resolution technology. In fact, the NanoOne is capable of manufacturing objects with volumes ranging across 12 orders of magnitude. Dimensions in the micrometer-range are equally possible as in the centimeter-range while maintaining ultra-high resolution. And all that in the shortest possible time.

From R&D to industry

Thanks to this high versatility, the system has been met with great interest in R&D and in the industry right after its introduction. An example for its use in medicine and research is the production of microneedles with tight tolerances and defined features such as the sharp tip, the cannula, or the reservoir.

Functional micro-mechanic parts reflect another interesting area of application for the UpNano technology. A benchmarking example is a functional spring with a height of 6 millimeters printed in less than 6 minutes or two-components parts with included moveable elements, printed in single printing jobs for med-tech applications.

Filters are the third of numerous examples demonstrating the size-range of the NanoOne. Sizes of several square centimeters with pore sizes in the low single-digit micrometer-range can be printed within hours. “Such filters have exactly defined pore sizes for 100 percent of all pores”, explains Bernhard Küenburg. Variations in pore sizes are thus as much history as are unsatisfying filter results. In this way, the NanoOne of UpNano offers a new horizon for filtering and separation processes – a horizon that exemplifies the innovative power of the company.