Raising the Bar(ksdale): How Asiga’s LIFT Technology Reshaped Barksdale’s Lab Performance
Written by Blake Barksdale
CDT, Digital Technology Expert
General Manager of Barksdale Dental Lab
Barksdale Dental Lab has proudly partnered with Asiga for over five years, and the journey has been nothing short of transformative. Each year, we’ve witnessed remarkable advancements in Asiga’s 3D printing technology, with innovations that consistently raise the bar for precision, reliability, and efficiency. These improvements have directly contributed to the growth and success of our lab, enhancing the quality of our restorations and the productivity of our team.
In keeping with our commitment to staying on the cutting edge of digital dentistry, we’ve recently invested in Asiga’s Liquid Interface Film Technology (LIFT™), an innovation that has elevated our printing capabilities to a new level. At Barksdale Dental Lab, we use the LIFT™ tray for printing high-precision castable and pressable resins, as well as denture teeth. For all transparent materials, such as splints and surgical guides, we rely exclusively on the Ultragloss LIFT tray, which delivers unmatched optical clarity and surface quality.
Before incorporating LIFT into our workflow, we occasionally encountered issues with small part failures when printing castable materials. Our goal was to minimize the “contact width” of supports on these delicate prints to streamline post-processing and reduce technician time spent refining support marks. However, this optimization often came at a cost: parts were subjected to high peeling forces that could cause failure unless we over-supported or compromised with larger contact areas. This balancing act hindered efficiency and consistency.
The introduction of the LIFT tray changed everything. Its innovative membrane and reduced peel forces allow for the successful printing of intricate parts without the need for excessive support structures. Since implementing LIFT, we have experienced zero failures on castable prints—a major milestone that has saved time, reduced material waste, and greatly improved technician confidence.
The original Ultragloss tray marked an exciting advancement in print quality, particularly for transparent materials. During its use in splint production, our technicians observed a few opportunities for improvement, such as occasional bubbling or wear within the tray. These observations helped us better understand the demands of high-volume workflows and highlighted the need for enhanced durability.
As a result, we gained valuable insights that have since been addressed with the introduction of the Ultragloss LIFT tray, leading to even greater consistency and performance. Since switching to this improved system, we’ve had flawless prints with no bubbling, no punctures, and maximum tray utilization. The surface finish on our transparent appliances has improved noticeably, and we’ve seen a measurable increase in the speed and overall quality of each print. This translates directly into better results for our clients and greater productivity in-house.
When you put all of this together—the improved reliability, reduced need for reprints, minimized downtime, and enhanced surface quality—the impact is undeniable. Our workflows are smoother, cleaner, and more efficient. We’re no longer wasting time on non-value-added tasks like replacing damaged trays or clearing failed prints from the build platform. Our Print Nest department, which manages our 3D printing operations, is now more streamlined and profitable than ever.
Asiga’s continued commitment to innovation, and the real-world results delivered by technologies like LIFT and Ultragloss LIFT, have proven to be game-changers for Barksdale Dental Lab. This is more than just a technical upgrade—it’s a major step forward in digital dentistry, and without a doubt, a home run for Asiga.
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