New 3D printing technology using standard granules significantly reduces production costs and increases speed.
Tensile strength and elongation at break tests show impressive results for components made with standard granules compared to traditional filament-based 3D printers.
This method opens up a wide range of application areas, from aerospace to the automotive industry, thanks to its cost-efficient and high-quality production technique.
New 3D Printing Technology with Standard Granules Promises Cost-Efficiency and Speed.
The world of 3D printing is on the brink of a groundbreaking change that could reduce costs and accelerate production. The Rostock-based company AIM3D, as part of a material qualification, has developed an innovative method for using Ultem 9085 Resin with standard granules in 3D printing.
This process, known as Composite-Extrusion-Modeling (CEM), offers not only cost advantages but also significantly higher building speeds compared to conventional 3D printers based on filament.
Ultem 9085 Resin by Sabic, a high-temperature material with exceptional properties, is certified for use in the aerospace industry. This material is ideal for applications where strength and low weight are critical. It also stands out for fire resistance, impact strength, and chemical tolerance.
The crucial advantage of the CEM process lies in the use of standard granules instead of expensive filament. A conventional 3D printer based on filament processes expensive material and has lower building speeds. In contrast, a pellet 3D printer with standard granules can process up to 250 cm³/h, increasing production speed by at least a factor of five.
In tensile strength tests, the CEM process with standard granules performed remarkably well, comparable to injection-molded components. Tensile strengths on the XY axis were an impressive 85.7 MPa, while filament-based 3D printing only achieved 69.2 MPa. Additionally, the elongation at break of the granule-based components showed significantly better results.
This revolutionary 3D printing technology opens new possibilities, not only for the aerospace industry but also for the automotive sector and rail transportation. With the use of granules, demanding mechanical properties can be realized at cost-effective prices.
