3D Printing Services at CU Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus

We offer multiple resources for 3D printing through the Department of Bioengineering, Inworks, and the Weir Biomechatronics Development Laboratory. Each location offers distinct technologies to address various research and prototyping needs. Learn more about the differences in our services below.

Plastic printing resources are available for students and researchers on both the Anschutz Medical Campus and Downtown Denver campuses. Printers with high resolution capabilities include the PolyJet and ColorJet printers.

PolyJet Process: Liquid photopolymers are pumped into print heads much like a standard inkjet printer. A 20 micron layer is rolled across the surface of the build plate as a UV light shines to solidify the material. The build plate steps down and the next layer is rolled across the previous layer to build the 3D plastic part.
ColorJet Process: A thin layer of core powder is rolled across the build plate in 0.1 mm layers and a colored binder is added to specific areas to solidify the material to create full color models. The build plate steps down after each layer is completed and the next layer is added to the 3D part.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Process: A coil of thermoplastic material is continuously fed into the print head where it is melted and extruded onto the build plate. The plastic then cools and the print head is able to build upon the previous layer.

Resin printing resources are available for students and researchers exclusively through the Weir Biomechatronics Development Laboratory on the Anschutz Medical Campus.

Resin 3D printing, also known as vat photopolymerization, allows for production of highly detailed 3D printed parts. It can offer high accuracy, fast printing speeds, and be used with a wide range of materials.

Digital Light Processing (DLP): Light is projected on each layer using a matrix of micromirror devices on a semiconductor chip to cure the liquid resin.

Direct metal laser sintering is exclusively available through the Weir Biomechatronics Development Laboratory on the Anschutz Medical Campus.

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS): A 200W laser etches and melts a pattern into a 20 µm layer of steel powder. Once completed, the build plate is lowered and the recoater blade wipes across another 20 µm layer of powder from the dispenser. The process repeats as the next layer is sintered onto the previous layer to build up the 3D parts.