To print or not to print? That is the question that many dental labs are asking themselves as 3D printing takes center stage in the dental industry. The ProJet 1200 is an affordable desktop printer that allows dental labs of any size to incorporate 3D printing. While the benefits of 3D printing in the dental lab include savings on labor and time, increased productivity and accuracy there are still lingering questions on the capabilities.

Here are 5 frequently asked questions I get on a regular basis about the ProJet 1200:

1) Can I do partial frames?

You cannot. You have a print area of 1.69” x 1.06” which gives you enough room to print 10-12 (crowns, bridges, copings) units. The 3510DP is a printer that we offer that prints partial frames.

2) Can I add/remove material?

You can remove material with a burr and add to your unit if need be with putty.

3) What software does it come with? Can I work on my design? Annual fees?

The software that comes with the printer is nesting software. It makes sure your units fit within the print envelope. Think of it as the print driver software that comes standard with standard paper printers. You can’t make any changes to your design with the software and there are no annual license fees.

4) Can I do rapid burnout?

Absolutely. We actually recommend this method. We have actually qualified our Formula1 investment with the VisiJet printing material, you can get the guide and instructions here.

5) How long does a cartridge last?

It depends on the size of your units. You will be able to print approximately 80 units per cartridge as long as it is not exposed to light. A dry stock cartridge will last 18 months.

These are just the some of the many questions dental labs I talk with have about the ProJet 1200. Do you have a question that I didn’t answer? Ask us in the comments section.