Instructions for Use (IFU) & Printing Parameters for Asiga DLP printers

This document provides printer-specific guidance for using 3Dresyns® photopolymer resin systems on Asiga DLP platforms.

This page is a printer-specific supplement to the general Instructions for Use (IFU) & Printing Parameters for DLP & LCD printers and must be used in conjunction with it. It does not replace the general IFU and applies only to defined Asiga system configurations and workflows.

Scope, limitations & responsibilities

Scope of application

• Applies to 3Dresyns® photopolymer resin systems processed by vat photopolymerization on selected Asiga DLP printers.
• Applies to workflows where exposure power is set/controlled within Asiga Composer profiles and validated by the user.

Limitations

• This document provides reference workflows and a qualified calibration methodology, but it does not replace user-side validation.
• 3Dresyns does not control Asiga printer hardware, firmware updates or proprietary exposure algorithms. Users are responsible for verifying compatibility and performance when integrating 3Dresyns materials with Asiga platforms.
• Application-specific validation, regulatory compliance and final product qualification remain the responsibility of the user or device manufacturer.

Material system and version control

3Dresyns® photopolymer resins are supplied as system-based materials that may exist in multiple formulation versions, viscosities, colors and functional configurations. Users must verify that the selected resin version, lot number and associated documentation correspond to the intended printer technology and application. Mixing versions or modifying formulations outside qualified workflows may invalidate expected performance.

Record keeping (minimum)

For traceability and reproducibility, document at minimum:

• Resin name + version/viscosity/color/additives (if any) + lot number
• Asiga printer model + wavelength configuration (if applicable)
• Selected exposure power setting used in Asiga Composer (mW/cm²) and the profile/reference material used
• Layer height, exposure time, burn-in exposure, number of bottom layers (if applicable)
• Orientation + support strategy (density, tip size, contact points)
• Washing chemistry + time + temperature
• Drying method/time
• Post-curing wavelength + power + time (and atmosphere if relevant)
• Ambient conditions (temperature/humidity) and any thermal steps

Reference printing parameters (starting points for Asiga)

The following are typical starting points for Asiga workflows. Lower or higher values may also be printable depending on resin formulation, selected exposure power and workflow optimization. Final settings must be determined using the curing rate methodology below.

• Z layer thickness: typically 0.050–0.100 mm
• Normal exposure time: typically ~2–20 s for 50–100 µm layers (strongly dependent on resin and selected power)
• Burn-in exposure: typically ~80 s for reliable adhesion (often in the range of 75–90 s)

Exposure times depend strongly on the selected exposure power (e.g. 7 mW/cm² is commonly used in DentalMODEL-style reference profiles). Optimum settings must be determined experimentally using the curing rate methodology described below.

Why exposure times are printer-specific (including Asiga)

Generic exposure times are approximations and cannot guarantee reproducible results because:

• Real light power varies across the vat/projected area
• Light output decays with cumulative printer use and maintenance state
• Different resins require different curing energies
• Thicker layers require higher total energy doses

Recommended background reading:

• Power differences of DLP, LCD & mLCD printers and their consequences
• Do you want to go in depth? Let’s unlock the black box!

The scientific solution: Curing Rate Table (CRT) for Asiga workflows

CRT concept

The Curing Rate Table (CRT) is a quantitative fingerprint describing how a specific resin cures at a defined exposure power. It reports cured thickness (µm) as a function of exposure time. The CRT enables a structured, repeatable selection of exposure settings under your real printer conditions.

Values shown in example tables are illustrative only and must not be used as universal settings. Users must generate their own CRT under their specific resin, Asiga model and exposure power conditions.

How to generate a CRT on Asiga (Spot Timer method)

1. Remove the build platform from the printer.
2. Place a small resin drop on a clean microscope glass slide.
3. Position the slide at the center of the vat/tank.
4. Use the printer spot exposure function (Spot Timer) and expose for a selected time.
5. Remove uncured resin and measure cured thickness using a digital caliper or micrometer.
6. Record cured thickness and qualitative green strength.
7. Repeat at increasing exposure times to build the full CRT.

Example CRT format (user-generated)

Example of the Curing Rate Table (CRT) of a reference 3Dresyn x with lot y at certain light power of z mW/cm2 at 405 nm. The values shown are examples only.

Starting point tip: Select your target layer thickness (e.g., 50 µm or 100 µm) and choose an exposure time where the CRT thickness is approximately ~1.2–1.5× the target layer thickness as a starting point. Under-cured (soft / weak) → increase exposure. Over-cured (excessive adhesion / brittle / loss of detail) → reduce exposure.

Asiga Composer workflow (calibration phase)

Open Asiga Composer and create a new build:

1. Select the exact printer model and target Z layer thickness (commonly 0.050 mm or 0.100 mm).
2. Select a reference material profile (e.g. DentalMODEL or equivalent) as a starting point.
3. Add the 3Dresyns calibration file 3DTest1 (flat coin without supports).
4. Launch the Build Wizard.

During the Build Wizard calibration phase:

• Set base plate thickness to 0.000 mm
• Disable anti-aliasing
• Set burn-in exposure to ~80 s
• Leave Z and XY compensation at 0 during calibration
• Replace the default layer exposure time with the value determined from your CRT at the selected exposure power

Selecting starting print exposure settings

Use the CRT to select a structured starting point:

• Start with an exposure corresponding to approximately 1.2–1.5 cured layers.
• Under-cured → increase exposure several seconds.
• Over-cured → reduce exposure several seconds.

Burn-in exposure should correspond to the exposure time that produces the strongest adhesion to glass under the same conditions.

Validation using reference test files

3DTest1 (flat coin without supports)

Confirms basic printability and provides an indication of XY resolution.

• Full detachment: increase burn-in exposure and/or number of bottom layers (if applicable).
• Soft or tender part: increase standard exposure (undercured).
• Brittle part or excessive adhesion: reduce exposure (overcured).

3DTest2 (flat coin with supports)

Validates supported printing and enables evaluation of XYZ dimensional accuracy.

Z accuracy may be calculated as:

Z error (%) = (measured − theoretical) / theoretical × 100

Quality evaluation and fine adjustment

• XY resolution may be estimated by identifying the smallest readable concentric feature.
• Z accuracy is evaluated by comparing measured and theoretical thickness.
• If additional accuracy or detail is required, exposure parameters may be further adjusted. All adjustments must be introduced incrementally, documented and validated.

Optional fine tuning

3Dresyns resins can be optimized using Fine Tuning Additives to adjust printing speed, resolution, precision and dimensional accuracy. For deeper optimization and extended methodology, use Fine Tuning additives for custom fine tuning of printing speed, resolution, precision, and dimensional accuracy

Cleaning and post-processing

Cleaning and post-processing must follow the applicable Instructions for Use (IFU), including the general IFU & Printing Parameters for DLP & LCD printers and any material-specific or application-specific IFU where applicable.

Deviation from qualified post-processing workflows may affect surface quality, mechanical performance and long-term material behavior.

Basic tools and equipment

• Digital caliper or micrometer
• Microscope glass slides
• Precision weighing balance (optional)

Tool selection depends on the required level of process control and application complexity.

Advanced considerations for Asiga-specific optimization

Advanced optimization on Asiga systems requires careful consideration of process trade-offs:

• Increasing temperature may reduce resin viscosity and peeling forces (viscous resins may be warmed to ~30–35 °C where appropriate).
• Increasing exposure power or light intensity may improve printing speed but can reduce resolution or surface definition.

Users implementing advanced optimization strategies are responsible for documenting final settings, maintaining traceability and validating performance for their intended application. Custom configuration or INI files may be created as part of user-defined workflows.

Governing principle

Printer-specific guidance for Asiga systems provides reference workflows only. Final part performance depends on the complete material–printer–process–post-processing system and must be validated by the user for the intended application.

Need professional support?

For printer selection, parameter definition or advanced optimization, contact info@3Dresyns.com.