Reify3D Forum

Anybody know why some resins print at 385 and others at 405? There was an article from BYU that said they're experimenting with 385nm photopolymers because they can achieve much higher detail than 405nm. Would anyone know why that is?

Are raw materials for 405nm polymers cheaper or something?

It's just easier to find a 405nm UV engine them 385nm. Video projector have a large spectrum but generally around 405nm. You can also find 365nm but it's even harder to find.

Do you have a link to that BYU article?

If I had to guess, the 385 nm is within the UV range while 405 nm is technically visible light.

The photoinitator at 405 nm might have a wider range of reactivity (like 400-410 nm) and that extra light might create enough energy to 'overlink' the polymers like overexposure of film. Maybe the photoinitators at 385 nm could be more narrow so additional light wavelengths around 385 nm will not have the same effect?

I'm probably just making a solution to fit the problem. Without the article and its references, it's all conjecture.