Kraiburg TPE has actually performed substantial tests to analyze the viability of its thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) for use in additive production (AM). The tests have shown that almost all of the company’s TPEs can be processed with exceptional outcomes using merged deposition modeling (FDM) on devices from French 3D printer manufacturer Pollen AM.
Pellet additive production system can manage soft materials such as TPEs.
Additive manufacturing is making huge strides in changing the world of the production industry. Thanks to the fairly simple and tool-free equipment of the devices, even advanced parts can be printed quickly and in the really location where they are required.
” Due to physical restrictions, many classic 3D filament printers are not suitable for processing soft TPEs. In addition, it’s just possible to draw fairly minimal conclusions from prototypes made of unique 3D printing products in relation to the efficiency of basic injection molding or extrusion compounds,” states Dr. Thomas Wagner from Product Management EMEA at Kraiburg TPE. “The obstacle we dealt with was to exactly examine the prerequisites for fused deposition modeling of soft TPEs. In order to discover an ideal option, we had to learn to separate the technical restrictions of the printers from those of the materials.”
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The pellet additive production (PAM) system from Pollen AM showed to be the ideal innovation. The existing series of PAM granule printers produce incredibly detailed surfaces even with very soft TPEs and have the ability to process up to four products at the same time. In this way, typical hard-soft multicomponent composites made from TPEs in combination with plastics such as polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) or polyamide (PA) are also possible.
” Our PAM printers guarantee the quickest possible house times to avoid impacting the particular advantages of soft elastomers,” explains Didier Fonta, Head of Operations at Pollen AM. “This likewise makes sure excellent peel strength, especially for multi-component applications with thermoplastic elastomers in the low Shore firmness variety.”
Tests performed collectively by Kraiburg TPE and Pollen AM have actually led to persuading prints featuring mechanical homes that achieve up to 50 percent of the values shown by comparable injection moldings, depending on the procedure specifications.
This indicates that the provided TPE compounds are thoroughly selected and processed, so the technology is suitable for producing both presentation samples and also functional models and is therefore able to minimize the expenses of developing brand-new applications.
Given that almost all thermoplastic elastomers that Kraiburg TPE has in its portfolio are possible materials for direct processing on PAM granule printers, no special substances are needed. Additionally, all functions of the products, especially their adhesion possibilities on various thermoplastics, are preserved in 3D printing with PAM granule printers. Residues that may arise during production can be recycled in local waste streams.
” Due to physical constraints, the majority of timeless 3D filament printers are not appropriate for processing soft TPEs. In addition, it’s just possible to draw relatively restricted conclusions from prototypes made of unique 3D printing materials in relation to the efficiency of basic injection molding or extrusion substances,” states Dr. Thomas Wagner from Product Management EMEA at Kraiburg TPE.
The current series of PAM granule printers produce exceptionally detailed surfaces even with really soft TPEs and are able to process up to four materials at the same time. Because nearly all thermoplastic elastomers that Kraiburg TPE has in its portfolio are potential materials for direct processing on PAM granule printers, no unique substances are needed.
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