3D printing

3DPrinting or additive manufacturing is a process technology that offers a myriad of customized opportunities. The possibilities seem endless. Whether you are active the medical, high-end automotive, aerospace, defense, machine construction or tool making markets, 3Dprinting could offer unique tailored benefits. Many industries are now discovering the advantages of 3D printing which makes the market grow exponential. For 3D printing the polymers are usually shaped in a monofilament (FDM), powder (SLS) or resin (SLA). Rapid new polymer developments are required to meet the growing market ...Read more

3DPrinting or additive manufacturing is a process technology that offers a myriad of customized opportunities. The possibilities seem endless. Whether you are active the medical, high-end automotive, aerospace, defense, machine construction or tool making markets, 3Dprinting could offer unique tailored benefits.

Many industries are now discovering the advantages of 3D printing which makes the market grow exponential. For 3D printing the polymers are usually shaped in a monofilament (FDM), powder (SLS) or resin (SLA). Rapid new polymer developments are required to meet the growing market need. The SPIC partners have an in-depth track record and experience for the develop, testing and manufacture of polymers in to monofilaments or powders for 3D printing. In the market there is a big need for printing functional parts. Therefore the development of engineering plastics for 3D printing is accelerated.

Whether you are a polymer producer that wants to optimize grades for 3D printing, or you are a manufacturer that wishes to print parts for your own production, within the SPIC cluster you will find the right competences to get an effective R&D phase followed up by production opportunities.

 

Lab-extruder and printing tests for R&D

Do you want to explore the technical and economic feasibility of your new application? Or do you want to evaluate a new polymer or polymeric compound?

The SPIC researchers and engineers have the experience to set up feasibility tests fast. At first the SPIC partners will assess your product’s needs and requirements to set up a tailored test approach. After approval of the test approach, the SPIC lab-extruders (capacity: <1 KG/h) enables us to tailor the desired polymer compositions quickly. Biobased material, special additives, such as fibers, to manufacture composites and engineering plastics, is possible. Afterwards we manufacture test sample filaments to test the quality, processability and dimensional tolerances. The obtained filaments can be tested on a wide variety of desk-top and larger sized 3Dprinter to optimize the printing performance. By printing test specimens, the mechanical and heat properties of the printed products can be measured to get an idea about how the printing process conditions influences the strength, stiffness, impact & heat resistance of your printed product samples in alignment with your application and profitability requirements.

Monofilament production

tonnes per day

Production

Monofilament extruder

5 kg/hr

Up-scaling

Lab-extruder and printing tests

< 1 kg/hr

Research-scale