Not every 3D printer needs cooling in the same way.
SLS, SLM/DMLS, SLA and DLP use different light or laser sources, so the components that require cooling can also be different. In many industrial systems, the cooling requirement is focused on the laser, light source and optical components, rather than the entire printer.
SLS: CO₂ or Fiber Laser
SLS 3D printers can use CO₂ lasers or fiber lasers, depending on the machine design.
CO₂ lasers are widely used in traditional polymer SLS systems, while some newer systems use 1064 nm fiber lasers. During continuous operation, the laser and related components generate heat and may require dedicated cooling.
For example, a TEYU CW-6000 industrial chiller is used to cool a 100W CO₂ laser in an SLS 3D printing system.
SLM/DMLS: Fiber Laser Cooling
Metal additive manufacturing systems such as SLM and DMLS commonly use high-power fiber lasers. Multi-laser configurations can also increase the thermal load on the laser and optical system.
Stable cooling helps maintain suitable operating conditions during long printing cycles.
In one application, a TEYU CWFL-3000 fiber laser chiller is used with a dual-laser metal additive manufacturing system.
Other laser wavelengths are also being used for specialized applications. For example, green lasers around 515 nm can be advantageous when processing highly reflective metals such as copper.
SLA: UV Laser Cooling
SLA systems use light to cure liquid resin. Depending on the printer design, the light source can vary.
Some industrial SLA printers use 355 nm UV lasers, which can require cooling for stable operation.
A TEYU CWUL-05 chiller, for example, is used to cool a 3W, 355 nm UV laser in an SLA 3D printer.
DLP: Light Engine Cooling
DLP 3D printing uses a projected light source to cure resin layer by layer. Instead of a scanning laser, the key cooling target can be the UV or near-UV light engine and optical system.
A 405 nm light source is one example.
In a real application, a TEYU CWUL-05 chiller is used to cool a 405 nm UV light engine in a DLP 3D printing system.
How Do You Choose a 3D Printer Chiller?
The type of 3D printer is only the starting point.
When selecting a 3D printer cooling system, look at the actual component being cooled and its requirements:
* Cooling capacity – Can the chiller remove the heat generated?
* Temperature stability – Is the temperature stable enough for continuous operation?
* Flow and pressure – Do they meet the laser or light source requirements?
* Operating environment – What are the ambient temperature and installation conditions?
* Duty cycle – Will the system run continuously for hours?
* Condensation risk – Is the coolant temperature appropriate for the environment?
So, there isn't one universal chiller for every 3D printer.
The right cooling solution depends on the light source or laser, the component being cooled, its heat load, and the way the printer operates.
TEYU provides closed-loop water chillers for different 3D printing applications, including cooling CO₂ lasers, fiber lasers and UV light sources.
