Raplas Technologies Offers Accuracy, Repeatability, and Flexibility in SLA 3D Printing

Raplas Technologies is quietly redefining industrial 3D printing from its base in the UK. Founded by Richard Wooldridge and Paul Freeman, who each bring over 30 years of experience, the British manufacturer provides resin additive manufacturing solutions that deliver consistent accuracy and repeatability. Its portfolio already includes three laser-based SLA systems, built for demanding users in automotive and defense who’ve outgrown the limits of existing machines. We spoke with the founders to learn what makes Raplas Technologies so innovative and why its solutions are a real asset to industrial users.

3DN: Can you introduce yourself and your link with additive manufacturing?

Richard: Hello, I’m Richard Wooldridge, one of the founders of Raplas Technologies. In my previous life, I worked as a 3D printing technical specialist for Ford Motor Company. Throughout my 35-year professional career, I have been involved in 3D printing from the very beginning, testing and evaluating nearly every technology that has come along.

When I retired from Ford, I then had my dream opportunity to figure out how to create a 3D printer from scratch that actually worked as it should! Paul and I were in a similar position, so we decided to team up and create Raplas Technologies.

Paul: Hello, my name is Paul Freeman, and like Richard, I discovered 3D printing about 30 years ago. I started working in 1994 in a service bureau that used 3D Systems SLA machines.

I have a background in engineering, manufacturing systems, and design. Early on, I began thinking about how these 3D printers could be modified to be more efficient and to integrate, for example, an additional laser.

3DN: Why did you create Raplas Technologies?

Richard: You have to understand that back then the machines were completely locked down in terms of materials, servicing, and maintenance. Everything had to come from the organization you bought it from, which was very frustrating.. We created Raplas Technologies out of that frustration with existing 3D printers that were locked down, inflexible, and prevented users from building parts the way they wanted. Our fundamental principle was that customers should have the freedom to use their machines in any way they see fit.

Paul: So, we started developing our own SLA machines. We chose this technology because it was the most widely used plastic-based process with the greatest scope for material development. We were also able to apply the latest advancements in production processes including motion control, laser control, and real-time dynamic control to create better solutions.

When a customer buys one of our machines, they have the right to use it however they choose. If someone wants to try something unconventional, the machine can handle it. Our processes, software, and systems are all designed to support that flexibility. We truly believe that this is the only way the 3D printing industry can move from prototyping to production.

3DN: Can you tell us what Raplas offers in terms of machines, materials and software?

Richard: Our current portfolio includes three laser-based SLA machines: the PR 450, PR 700, and PR 800. The main difference between them are the building volume. We’re launching a fourth machine at Formnext this year, so make sure you stop by our booth if you’re in Frankfurt!

Regarding materials, we have developed our own resin systems, including general-purpose resins that we find perform extremely well.. We also partnered with a resin manufacturer to produce materials based on our specifications, and the results have been excellent. Our range includes various colors, crystal-clear resins, as well as engineering and high-performance resins. Because our machines are open, they can print a wide variety of materials.

Paul: As for the software, we’ve integrated Magics from Materialise into our system. This allows us to use vector-based commands rather than conventional sliced files, giving us dynamic control over every printer parameter and enabling different build styles for multiple part types within the same build.

Depending on the user’s level of experience and needs, they can adjust the parameters and explore deeper aspects of the design of the part.. Alternatively, they can simply set it up and start building. At the same time, the system provides the flexibility to control every detail when needed, which is especially important for high-volume production.

3DN: What are the main strengths of your 3D printers?

Richard: In this industry, people don’t claim that their machines are mass production machines. In 3D printing, they talk about serial production or production runs, but never mass production. Traditional 3D printers won’t pass the test for mass production because they’re not accurate and repeatable enough. Our machines are! That is their main strength.

Paul: I would add that our machines are flexible. You can build any part, in any way you want. You can even have different parts each with a different build style within the same build. You can command it to do exactly what you want, which makes it very powerful and versatile.

Lastly, I would add that our machines are future-proof, meaning they use globally recognized standard components rather than proprietary branded parts. This ensures that replacement parts are always available locally and that new technology upgrades can be easily integrated.

3DN: Who are your clients? What type of applications do they create?

Richard: We typically work with experienced users who have previously used competitor machines but now need greater flexibility and advanced capabilities for production-level applications.

Paul: Our clients work on a lot of different applications, but our machines are particularly well suited to the automotive and defense industries’ needs. We are able to provide a repeatable process and consistent accuracy across the entire building plate, no matter how many parts one needs to create. For example, mass production capability is demonstrated through a current UK Ministry of Defense project for 3D printing energetic materials, where Raplas was selected as the only company with machines capable of true mass production.

3DN: What are your future plans?

Richard: I think what we are trying to do now is to show how strong our products really are. We have not shouted loud enough about it before, and now is the right time. I know everybody says they have the best 3D printer on the market, cheaper and faster than the others. I truly believe that Raplas Technologies offers something more. We deliver accuracy and repeatability, which is exactly what the industry is looking for.

Paul: We also want to expand and reach other markets. We are actively looking for new resellers around the world, with our key focus market being in the United States.

3DN: How do you see the evolution of the additive manufacturing market?

Richard: In my experience, there have been too many exaggerated claims in this industry, such as moving into production, achieving the impossible, or being the best ever. You do not hear that kind of talk from CNC manufacturers, for example. I think the additive manufacturing industry has overhyped itself and, as a result, raised customer expectations too high. The industry now needs a period of maturity, with a stronger focus on quality, repeatability, and reliability. Those are the things that truly matter in all machines.

Paul: For me, it’s the move toward production. There are now some strong projects demonstrating this shift. The industry has progressed from rapid prototyping to having factories of printers producing goods every day. We’re starting to see this transformation take shape, which is very encouraging.

To conclude, at Raplas we have young, talented engineers and software specialists who are incredibly skilled and dedicated. They represent the future of this field, and it is our responsibility to guide and support them.

3DN: To sum up, could you describe Raplas Technologies in one word?

Paul: Oh, one word is tough. But I would say we’re British-founded.

Richard: I would say cutting-edge.

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*All Photo Credits: Raplas