German RepRap RAPID 2017
German RepRap presenting its latest 3D printing technology at RAPID+TCT 2017.
German RepRap, a manufacturer of FFF 3D printing machines, has developed a new polyurethane (PU) based material that can be used in its Liquid Additive Manufacturing (LAM) technology.
Partnering with ebalta Kunststoff GmbH, a manufacturer of polyurethane and epoxy resins, German RepRap is bringing to market a material boasting sufficient flexibility to fulfil a board range of requirements, in a variety of applications, for a number of industries.
The two companies believe their new material to be revolutionary, not least because of its isotropic mechanical properties born from chemical crosslinking, and also its capability to be processed in its liquid state. Processing materials in their liquid state eliminates the need for melting, and subsequently reducing lead times.
Officially launched in November 2016, at formnext powered by tct, German RepRap’s LAM technology was also presented at RAPID+TCT in May. These demonstrations showed how liquid materials, like silicone, can be processed in LAM 3D printers, and how the technique could bring new possibilities for the silicone-processing market, among others. The new PU material broadens the potential of LAM. It was first introduced at PSE Europe 2017 in Munich by ebalta Kunststoff earlier this summer, and was developed in an attempt to create a wide range of properties from soft to hard.
The LAM manufacturing process, German RepRap says, is not too dissimilar to the FFF-based machines it is renowned for. But its new PU material has the capability of being used to print complex parts, which could prove difficult to do with injection moulding technology. It does, however, have virtually identical mechanical properties to those of an injection-moulded part. The new-found ability to process polyurethane-based materials will enable users to produce prototype construction and functional models. Processing at room temperature enables a highly energy-efficient print with low material shrinkage between 1% and 2, avoiding thermal warping and/ or detachment from the print bed.
Polyurethanes are used predominantly as foams for insulation, mattresses, all types of upholstery, as well as paint and adhesive systems. Additional applications for PU materials include shoe soles, sports equipment like footballs (soccer), instrument panels, and all types of seals, hoses, and sealants. Even though in most cases the PU material in these applications remains hidden, it is used in nearly all areas of daily life. Thanks to their excellent mechanical properties, polyurethanes are suitable for special applications, such as those requiring high resistance to wear. This makes them suitable for applications in a range industries, such as automotive, aeronautical, and construction.
