3D printing in colour: technical evaluation and creative applications

Walters, Peter; Huson, David; Parraman, Carinna; Stani?, M

Abstract

In this paper we report on an ongoing interdisciplinary investigation into the capabilities of colour 3D printing technologies, and present examples of the application of these technologies within art and design practice. The paper demonstrates that a quantitative investigation into colour reproduction in 3D printing can inform real-life design practice. Our research focuses on the powder-binder colour 3D printing system (Z Corporation, Burlington, MA). We present a technical evaluation which compares the colour output of the ZCorp 510 and 650 powder-binder 3D printers, through the production and measurement of colour test blocks.
The investigation also compares the effect of two infiltrants (paraffin wax and cyanoacrylate) commonly used to enhance 3d printed output. The paper closes with a practical case study showing an application of colour 3D printing within art and design practice.

• Conference Name: Impact 6 International Multi-Disciplinary Printmaking Conference
• Start Date: Sep 17, 2009
• End Date: Sep 19, 2009
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2011
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 31-39
• Book Title: Impact 6 Proceedings
• ISBN: 978-1-906501-03-7
• Keywords: Colour 3D printing technologies, powder-binder colour 3D printing system, ZCorp 510 and 650 powder-binder 3D printers
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/960630
• Publisher URL: http://www.uwe.ac.uk/sca/research/cfpr/dissemination/conferences/impact.html
• Related Public URLs: http://amd.uwe.ac.uk/cfpr/files/walters_huson_%20parraman_stanic_2009.pdf; http://www.impact.uwe.ac.uk/