11-29-2011: Asiga released Pico
It was the world's first 3D printer using UV LED system
On November 29, 2011, the Australian manufacturer of photopolymer 3D printers, Asiga, presented the first 3D printer utilizing UV LED curing technology during the EuroMold 2011 trade show. The Asiga Pico stood out with its innovative approach to photopolymer 3D printing and became a groundbreaking device in additive technology, especially for applications requiring high resolution, such as dentistry, jewelry, and hearing aid production.
The Asiga Pico was the first 3D printer on the market to use UV LED diodes emitting light at a wavelength of 385 nm. This technology provided exceptional light source durability—up to 50,000 hours of operation—eliminating the need for frequent replacement, significantly reducing operating costs. Weighing only 10.5 kg and measuring 220 x 225 x 505 mm, it was one of the most compact solutions in its class, opening up new possibilities for design studios and small workshops.
The printer offered two operating modes F-mode, providing an XY resolution of 50 microns and a working area of 30 x 40 x 100 mm, and UF-mode, with an XY accuracy of 37.5 microns and a working area of 19 x 25.4 x 100 mm. The Z-layer thickness could be adjusted between 1 and 200 microns, with an accuracy of 1 micron, making the Pico an extremely versatile tool. Priced at $6,990, the 3D printer was more affordable than competing devices with similar specifications.
In the early 2010s, 3D printers curing resins used either laser beams (SLA by 3D Systems) or projectors (DLP by EnvisionTEC). The switch to significantly cheaper LED diodes reduced costs substantially and laid the groundwork for future 3D printers using LCD screens, which appeared three years later.
The Pico model was followed by its successor, the Asiga Pico 2, in 2013. This printer continued the tradition of precise printing, introducing improvements in accuracy and ease of use. The Pico 2 was smaller, more efficient, and supported an even wider range of materials.
Today, Asiga no longer manufactures the Pico or Pico 2 models but continues developing UV LED technology in newer series such as Asiga MAX and Pro 4K, which lead the market in medical and jewelry 3D printing.
Source: www.3ders.org