You've probably heard it a million times already but it's worth putting out there once more: successful additive manufacturing is about more than just the machine. Materials are just one aspect of that multi-faceted process chain and at Formnext, you will see evidence of the growing importance being put on the food that makes those machines function through cross industry collaborations, material science developments and new products. Here are just a handful ...
Clariant (12.1, B111)
Clariant
Clariant
Clariant will introduce a newly developed fire, smoke and toxicity compliant 3D printing material called PA6/66-GF20 FR LS. It uses a base flame-retardant material Exolit and is reinforced with glass fibres. Exoilt is compliant with EN 45545-2, NFPA 130 and SMP 800-C and has been developed to enable Clariant to produce industry standard materials so customers can additively manufacture end-use components. The polyamide 6, 20% glass fibre-reinforced, has been used to produce a component which makes up a charger for an electrical vehicle and will be on Clariant’s Formnext stand.
Essentium (12.1, D31)
Essentium will introduce its new portfolio of advanced high-temperature (HT) nylon materials for additive manufacturing. The new materials are designed to deliver high heat, chemical and fatigue resistance as well as high strength for industrial applications while being as easy to print as PLA thermoplastics at low print temperatures. Combining nylon with carbon fibre, the materials are more than four times stronger than high-performance ABS and have a heat deflection temperature of 200°C, allowing manufacturers to print tough and impact resistant parts to withstand the rigours of the factory floor. At Formnext, the new materials will be demonstrated on an Essentium High Speed Extrusion (HSE) 3D Printing Platform.
Huntsman (11.1, F20)
Huntsman will be unveiling its IROPRINT additive manufacturing materials. The IROPRINT range consists of three different kinds of elastomers which are soft and flexible, yet tough. This includes; IROPRINT F filaments, a range of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) materials for extrusion- based printing methods; IROPRINT R resins, soft, durable, one-component, liquid resin systems for stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP) and other radiation- curing printing methods; and IROPRINT P powders, high performance, TPU powder- based materials for high speed sintering (HSS) and selective laser sintering (SLS) printing. In addition, the company will be highlighting two 3D printing grades including the soft, flexible IROPRINT F 80112 shore A78 TPU, and IROPRINT R 1801, a radiation cured one-component resin, optimised for easy processing.
Roboze (12.1, C61)
Roboze has announced the release of an amorphous thermoplastic polyimide filament exclusive to its ARGO 500 Production 3D printer developed in collaboration with SABIC. EXTEM AMHH811F has been designed to meet the requirements of parts used in the motorsport, electrics, medical and aerospace sectors, offering an alternative to metal materials. Applications in these sectors include thermal and acoustic shields, electronic enclosures and sensor components. Parts printed in EXTEM AMHH811F will be showcased for the first time on the Roboze booth.
Adaptive3D (12.1, G01)
Adaptive3D, the Texas-based additive manufacturing (AM) resin supplier is to debut a new high tear-strength direct curing rubber and polyurethane-like elastomer. The material, Elastic ToughRubber 90 (ETR) photopolymer is designed for 3D printing flexible end-use parts for products in the footwear, transportation, industrial and medical industries. The material is said to offer a number of benefits for true manufacturing and overcomes common challenges faced around printing elastomeric materials with rubber and polyurethane-like performance.
Cubicure (11.1, D48)
Cubicure, a German additive manufacturing company focused on high-performance polymers, is set to launch a new flame-retardant material called Evolution FR, believed to be the first stereolithography material of its kind due to its compliance with plastics flammability standard UL94 V0. The V0-classification calls for self-extinguishing of a flame within 10 seconds from a vertically clamped sample and an afterglow of maximum 30 seconds. The classification, using an ignition source of 50 W, counts as one of the highest classifications for flame-retardant polymers.
Evonik (12.1, C71)
Evonik
Evonik
Evonik is gearing up to exhibit its ‘ready-to-use’ high-performance materials and additives designed to help move 3D printing closer to bulk manufacturing. The company will introduce the first material product developed with Structured Polymers, the SLS business acquired by Evonik last year. The material is a highly elastic and tough copolyester which can be developed in white or black and expands the company’s offering of flexible thermoplastics. Other materials to be showcased at Formnext will be Polyamide 613 and an implant-quality PEEK material developed for extrusion-based printing technologies.
Formnext takes place in Frankfurt on 19-22 November. Register for your showfloor ticket here and visit the TCT @ Formnext Conference website to register for your conference pass.
