PDS + Non Light Pass

Description

Overview: The Opaque Workhorse for Advertising

While LightPass is for translucent, backlit applications, Non-LightPass materials (often brand names like DPR/Frigo/DIM on Massivit printers) are opaque, rigid, high-impact photopolymers. They are designed to be the final surface of the print, not just a shell for backlighting.

The core value proposition remains the same: extremely fast production of very large, high-detail objects that are difficult or costly to make with traditional methods.

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1. Technology & Material Specifications

• Technology: Material Jetting (MJ) with the PolyDot System.

  • The process is identical: jetting droplets of material and curing them instantly with UV light. The speed and large format capabilities are unchanged.

• The Materials (Non-LightPass):

  • These are typically opaque, acrylic-based photopolymer resins.

  • They come in a variety of base colors (e.g., white, gray, black) but are almost always painted or finished after printing.

  • Key Properties:

    • High Rigidity and Strength: They create durable, structural objects that can withstand handling at events.

    • High Resolution: Excellent surface detail and smoothness straight off the printer, superior to FDM.

    • Opaque: No light transmission, providing a solid, substantial feel perfect for direct painting.

    • Fast Curing: Instantly cured by UV lamps, allowing for very rapid print times.

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2. The Advertising Workflow with Non-LightPass Materials

The workflow shifts from lighting integration to surface finishing.

Step 1: Design & 3D Model Creation

• Create a 3D model of the asset (a character, a geometric logo, a product mockup).

• Models can be solid or hollowed out with internal structures (infill) to save material and reduce weight while maintaining strength.

Step 2: Printing the Object

• The model is printed using the opaque Non-LightPass material. The result is a large, rigid, and detailed object in a base color (usually white or gray).

Step 3: Post-Processing & Finishing (The Critical Phase)

• Support Removal: Supports are printed in a gel-like, water-soluble material. The print is often placed in a water wash station to dissolve them easily, leaving a clean surface.

• Sanding & Priming: The surface is sanded to remove any minor imperfections or “ribbing” from the printing process. It is then primed to create a perfect painting surface.

• Painting & Detailing: This is where the magic happens. The object is hand-painted, airbrushed, or spray-painted with high-quality automotive or graphic arts paints. This allows for any color, brand-matching, gradient effects, wood/stone textures, and ultra-high-quality finishes.

• Clear Coating: A protective clear coat (matte, satin, or gloss) is often applied to protect the paint job from UV fading and physical wear and tear.

• Final Assembly: Large prints are assembled from parts. Mounting hardware is added.

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3. Key Advantages for Advertising (Non-LightPass Focus)

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4. Common Applications in Advertising

This approach is used when the object itself is the star, not the light inside it.

• Hyper-Realistic Product Replicas: Creating giant, incredibly detailed and painted replicas of products (e.g., a sports car tire, a video game controller, a bottle of champagne) that look real from a distance.

• Character & Mascot Production: Building large-scale brand mascots, movie characters, or animated figures for events, parades, or retail displays.

• Architectural Elements & Set Design: Creating large props, faux columns, decorative walls, and custom furniture for stage sets, showrooms, and exhibition stands.

• 3D Logos & Typography: Producing massive, solid-looking logos and letters that are painted in exact brand colors. They have a substantial, premium weight and presence.

• Museum-Quality Replicas: Creating accurate replicas of artifacts, sculptures, or natural history objects for displays and interactive exhibits.

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5. Comparison: LightPass vs. Non-LightPass for Ads

Conclusion

PDS with Non-LightPass materials is the industrial 3D printing solution for creating massive, high-quality, finished objects that need to withstand the commercial environment.

It replaces traditional techniques like hand-sculpting foam (which lacks detail and durability) or CNC machining (which has geometric limitations). Its value lies in its speed for large objects and the ability to achieve a flawless, paint-ready surface, allowing brands to deploy breathtaking, durable marketing assets faster than ever before. The final product is a premium, tangible object that commands attention through its physical presence and finish quality, not its glow.