Binder Jetting (BJ) 3D Printing: Everything You Need To Know

What is Binder Jetting (BJ) Technology?

Binder jetting is a type of 3D printing– the way it works, an industrial printhead deposits a liquid binding agent onto a thin layer of powder particles, typically  foundry sand, ceramics, metal (learn about 3D printing metal) or composites, to create high-value and unique tooling and parts (Source).

Advantages of Binder Jetting (BJ) Technology

• Fast printing speed: The binder jetting (BJ) technology can print at speeds of up to 500 meters per minute. That’s about 10 times faster than the laserjet printing process. This high-speed production is a major advantage of the binder jetting (BJ) technology because it allows you to meet high demand.
• Low cost: The binder jetting (BJ) process is much cheaper than the laser or inkjet technologies. For example, a binder jetting (BJ) printer could cost as little as $2000. That’s much less expensive than inkjet printers at the same price range and it’s a lot less expensive than laser printers that cost up to $60,000.
• No waste: The binder jetting (BJ) technology is capable of producing sheets of paper that are the exact size and shape of the original sheet. The laser and inkjet technologies require more material to produce a sheet because they use inks to bind the sheets together. With the binder jetting (BJ) technology, you don’t have to waste material, which has many environmental benefits.
• Very strong: The binder jetting (BJ) process uses high temperatures. This allows the inks to bind the paper together with a very strong bond. This is especially helpful for printing documents that need to withstand heavy use.
• Environmental friendly: Using binder jetting (BJ) technology provides a major advantage for companies that are environmentally conscious. The process does not require any chemicals and releases no harmful fumes into the atmosphere. The only byproduct is water that can be recycled.

Examples

Check out some mind-blowing examples of objects created with BJ printing technology!

Shapeways watch

Ribbon mic

Twisted vessles

How Does Binder Jetting Work?

The binder jetting (BJ) process uses high temperatures. This allows the inks to bind the paper together with a very strong bond.

This is especially helpful for printing documents that need to withstand heavy use. The binder jetting (BJ) process is also used for packaging because it’s both economically and environmentally friendly. It’s a very new technology but shows great promise for the future.

Types of Binder Jetting (BJ) Technologies

1. Solid ink: This technology has been in use since the 1960s. It uses a stick of solid wax to print, rather than ink. The solid wax is melted and extruded onto the paper to form letters and images.
2. Hot melt: This technology relies on melting the wax material with heat, rather than with solvents as in traditional printers. It’s more environmentally friendly because it doesn’t pollute the air with chemicals as traditional printers do.
3. Electrophotography: This binder jetting (BJ) technology uses a uniform electric field to attract the positively charged toner particles to the negatively charged image. A transfer roller presses against the image and transfers the toner onto the paper.
4. Thermal inkjet: This binder jetting (BJ) technology creates images by spraying ink onto specially treated paper. The ink is vaporized by an electrically heated print head, leaving only black marks on white paper.
5. Gravure: This binder jetting (BJ) technology is similar to offset printing in that the image is printed onto paper and then transferred from the paper onto another surface. However, gravure involves an ink roller that presses down through the paper.
6. Varnishless: This printing method produces prints with rich and clear image quality. It doesn’t require any inks, waxes or other materials to be mixed with water, which makes it very environmentally friendly.

Is Binder Jetting the Same as Material Jetting?

Binder jetting (BJ) and material jetting are both graphic technology processes that use high-temperature inks to bond paper together.

Binder jetting, as the name implies, binds the paper together using a binder or glue. Material jetting, also known as fused deposition modelling (FDM), fuses the paper together using plastic.

Material jetting and binder jetting are different printing processes used to print three-dimensional objects such as buildings, models and 3d printed sculptures.

The materials used in binder jetting (BJ) are not toxic to humans or the environment. This technology produces stronger bonds than other processes that use inks to bind paper together, making it especially useful for hard-to-print items such as posters and documents.

The Types Of 3D Printing

1. Stereolithography (SLA) 
2. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS): (check out the best SLS 3D printers)
3. Digital Light Processing (DLP)
4. PolyJet 3D printing
5. Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)
6. Electron Beam Melting (EBM)
7. Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)
8. Binder Jetting (BJ) Technology
9. Drop on Demand (DOD)
10. Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)

Conclusion

Binder Jetting (BJ) is one of the most popular 3D printing processes. BJ printers use a binder to print object layers one on top of the other.

The printer deposits thin layers of powder material and then selectively prints a liquid binder onto each layer. After the layer is complete, it is solidified by heating or exposure to ultraviolet light, depending on the printer process used.

Once the entire object is printed, the powder material is removed, leaving only the completed 3D model.

Binder Jetting (BJ) technology is a relatively new, more expensive alternative to printing processes such as laser and inkjet technologies. However, its speed and print quality make it an excellent choice for commercial operations.

Rush Chapman( Founder )

Hello, my name’s Rush Chapman. I’m a 3D printing enthusiast. I started this site to help people choose 3D printing projects and select the best 3D printer for your needs, whether you’re a hobbyist or a pro!