Mingda MD-A128 - FDM 3D printer

Traditionally, channel lettering is crafted through processes like welding, bending, and forming metal sheets to create 3D letters with hollow backs, often finished with paint or vinyl. This method is labor-intensive, requiring precise craftsmanship and considerable material waste.

Video 1: The MD-A128 3D printer. Source: Mingda.

Solutions like the MD-A128 FDM 3D printer from Mingda, designed specially for the additive manufacturing of LED channel lettering, revolutionize channel lettering production by building the letters layer by layer from digital designs, allowing for complex geometries, customization, and reduced material waste. This method not only accelerates production times but also enhances design flexibility and precision, making it ideal for bespoke signage solutions.

Image 1: Examples of 3D printed channel lettering. Source: Mingda.

Apart from its generous build volume of 800 x 1200 x 100 mm, high printing speed (up to 100 mm/s), high extrusion temperature (max. 260 ºC), two-color printing capabilities (2-in-1-out technology), and ±0.2 mm Y-axis accuracy, the MD-A128 3D printer possesses many other attractive features that make it an excellent addition to any workshop. Some of those features include leakage protection, auto-resume after power loss, filament breakage detection, quiet printing, and automatic color change. All these features will be discussed in detail below.

Technical specifications 

The MD-A128 3D printer represents a significant advancement in additive manufacturing technology with its self-developed Cortex-M4 motherboard, offering enhanced anti-interference capabilities, faster movement speeds, and exceptionally stable operation. Its modular construction ensures minimal vibrations even during high-speed printing, guaranteeing consistently high-quality results. The all-metal chassis guarantees durability and sturdiness.

Image 2: Larger nozzles facilitate increased material flow, resulting in significantly reduced printing times. Source: Mingda.

Designed to accommodate a variety of filaments including PLA, PETG, PDS, and PMMA at a 1.75 mm diameter, the MD-A128 boasts nozzle sizes of 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 mm. These larger nozzles facilitate increased material flow, resulting in significantly reduced printing times compared to traditional subtractive manufacturing methods. For instance, the MD-A128 can produce intricate channel letters in approximately 2 hours, a stark contrast to the 25 hours typically required.

Image 3: The tempered glass platform guarantees excellent durrability and heat resistance. Source: Mingda.

The printer's tempered glass build platform sets a new standard in durability, being 3-5 times harder and more heat-resistant, capable of withstanding temperatures up to 80 ºC. Furthermore, its automatic 40-point bed leveling feature ensures an impressive 98% success rate by eliminating human error, making it highly reliable for industrial-grade applications.

Easy to use

Despite its advanced capabilities, the MD-A128 remains remarkably user-friendly, requiring only a brief 10-minute familiarization period to operate effectively. It incorporates a 5-inch touchscreen and a suite of automated features to streamline workflow and ensure precision, including leakage protection, ultra-quiet operation, automatic resumption of printing after power interruptions or filament changes, and detection of filament breakages.

Image 4: The MD-A128 printer ensures efficiency with its smart solutions. Source: Mingda.

Unique to the MD-A128 is a built-in free 3D modeling feature, simplifying the creation of customized designs by generating editable 3D models from user-inputted text with a single click. Additionally, the printer includes the Babystep intelligent compensation function, enhancing first-layer success rates and further enhancing usability. For added safety, it features a prominent emergency button, prioritizing user security in all operational contexts.

Acccessible channel lettering

The MD-A128 3D printer is an ideal choice for professionals seeking efficient, reliable, and high-quality solutions for channel lettering production. This advanced printer is designed to meet the rigorous demands of the modern signage industry, offering precision and versatility in creating complex letter designs and detailed signage elements.

Video 2: Working with the MD-A128 3D printer. Source: Mingda.

Its user-friendly interface and robust construction ensure consistent performance and longevity, while its compatibility with a wide range of materials and the two-in-one-out extrusion make channel lettering production more accessible and versatile.