Solid Ground Curing Final

Solid Ground Curing
SGC - (Cubical)
Similar to stereolithography
Uses UV light
Selectively hardens photosensitive polymers
Cures entire process at a time
Photomask
Printed on glass plate
UV light passes through the mask to the
polymer
1
Solid Ground Curing
(SGC)
Like stereolithography, SGC works by curing a
photosensitive polymer layer by layer to create
a solid model based on CAD geometric data.
Instead of using a scanning laser beam to cure

a given layer, the entire layer is exposed to a
UV source through a mask above the liquid
polymer.
Hardening takes 2 to 3 s for each layer

Solid Ground Curing
Figure: SGC steps

for each layer: (1)
mask
preparation, (2)
applying liquid
photopolymer
layer,(3) mask
positioning and
exposure of layer,
(4) uncured
polymer removed
from surface, (5)
wax filling, (6)
milling for
flatness and
thickness.
Solid Ground Curing (SGC)- Process
 Photosensitive resin is sprayed on the build
platform.
 The machine develops a photomask (like a stencil)

of the layer to be built.
 This photomask is printed on a glass plate above the

build platform using an electrostatic process similar
to that found in photocopiers.
 The mask is then exposed to UV light, which only

passes through the transparent portions of the mask
to selectively harden the shape of the current layer.
Solid Ground Curing (SGC)- Process
 After the layer is cured, the machine vacuums up

the excess liquid resin and sprays wax in its place
to support the model during the build.
 The top surface is milled flat, and then the process

repeats to build the next layer.
 When the part is complete, it must be de-waxed

by immersing it in a solvent bath.
Solid-Base Curing (Solid Ground Curing)
Schematic illustration of the solid-base-curing process. Source: After M. Burns,

Automated Fabrication, Prentice Hall, 1993.
ADVANTAGES:
NO support structure is needed, the wax supports the
model in all directions
Volume of the production environment is as big as

what we get from Stereolithography. Large parts, 500
× 500 × 350 mm (20 × 20 × 14 in), can be fabricated
quickly.
Dimensional accuracy is good. The model produced

by SGC process is comparatively accurate in the Z-
direction because the layer is milled after each light-
exposure process.
ADVANTAGES
 It has got ability to build the layer by layer of 0.1
mm thickness.
 Very fast and decently accurate (though not as

accurate as SLA).
 No post-cure required
 Milling step ensures flatness for subsequent

layer
 Ideal technology for short production runs.

Other benefits of this technology are:
Shrinkage effect has been minimized due to the full cure of every layer
No final curing in a special oven is needed
NO support structure is needed, the wax supports the model in all
directions
Model structural strength/and stability are higher and the models are
much less brittle. This is due to the curing process that minimized the
development of internal stresses in the structure.
Other benefits of this technology are:
 Any geometrical shape can be made without
limitation
 High throughput is achieved due to the three

dimensional nesting of models within the wax
 No hazardous odors are generated,
 the resin stays in liquid state for a very short time,

and the uncured liquid is wiped off immediately.
Thus safety is considerably higher.
DISADVANTAGES:
 When the liquid polymer solidifies, some wax also gets
entrapped in the artifact.
 Space requirement is also more.
 Relatively High Cost.

High Operating costs due to system complexity
Expensive equipment
Expensive materials
High running & maintenance cost
 Produces a lot of waste.
 Narrow range of material i.e., Photopolymers only

Applications:
Models for conceptualization, packaging and
presentation
Prototypes for design, analysis, verification and

functional testing
Pattern for investment casting replacing the wax

pattern
Masters for prototype tooling and low volume

production tooling
Facts about SGC
Sequence for each layer takes about 90 seconds
Time to produce a part by SGC is claimed to be about eight

times faster than other RP systems
The solid cubic form created in SGC consists of solid polymer

and wax
The wax provides support for fragile and overhanging features

of the part during fabrication, but can be Facts about SGC
melted away later to leave the free-standing part

Solid Ground Curing Final

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Solid Ground Curing

Instead of using a scanning laser beam to cure

Hardening takes 2 to 3 s for each layer

Figure: SGC steps

 The machine develops a photomask (like a stencil)

 This photomask is printed on a glass plate above the

 The mask is then exposed to UV light, which only

 After the layer is cured, the machine vacuums up

 The top surface is milled flat, and then the process

 When the part is complete, it must be de-waxed

Schematic illustration of the solid-base-curing process. Source: After M. Burns,

Volume of the production environment is as big as

Dimensional accuracy is good. The model produced

 Very fast and decently accurate (though not as

 Milling step ensures flatness for subsequent

 Ideal technology for short production runs.

No final curing in a special oven is needed

 High throughput is achieved due to the three

 No hazardous odors are generated,

 the resin stays in liquid state for a very short time,

 Space requirement is also more.

 Relatively High Cost.

 Produces a lot of waste.

 Narrow range of material i.e., Photopolymers only

Prototypes for design, analysis, verification and

Pattern for investment casting replacing the wax

Masters for prototype tooling and low volume

Time to produce a part by SGC is claimed to be about eight

The solid cubic form created in SGC consists of solid polymer

The wax provides support for fragile and overhanging features

melted away later to leave the free-standing part

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