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BASF and Photocentric Launch Materials for Visible Light 3D Printing

BASF’s 3D printing unit, Forward AM, has advanced its partnership with Photocentric to develop and launch a materials portfolio specifically tailored for the LCD-screen based daylight 3D printers from Photocentric. The partnership combines the latest materials and 3D printing technology, improves the quality and efficiency in 3D printing components, and aims to further enable the industrialization of the additive manufacturing industry.

“From the very beginning of our cooperation, together we have aimed to extend the possibilities of advanced photopolymer solutions to address the enormous spectrum of applications opened up by the outstanding performance of this Additive Manufacturing technology. We believe the combination of the expertise gained through decades of BASF research into 3D printing materials, our unique material portfolio, and Photocentric’s remarkable printer technology, genuinely has potential to enable cost competitive parts printing and thus make mass-manufacturing of functional end-use parts a reality,” explains François Minec, Managing Director BASF 3D Printing Solutions.

“The new chemistries we have harnessed for our product offering enable us to meet our customers’ very high mechanical performance demands and realize their mass scale applications. At the same time we are intentionally offering industry-disruptive prices on formulated bulk resin to the market: Jointly we want to move the Additive Manufacturing business towards higher productivity and lower prices per printed part,” adds Dr. Piotr Bazula, Global Product and New Business Development Manager Liquid Formulation Solutions, BASF 3D Printing Solutions.

The two companies had been collaborating on optimizing photopolymer resins and printer parameters, and the next step has been to go to market together with a range of high performance photopolymers: ‘Ultracur3D Powered by Photocentric’. For BASF, this is another specialized application for its Ultracur range of materials, which can be applied to DLP, LCD and SLA based 3D printing technologies.

“Photocentric is deepening its partnership with BASF to facilitate the custom mass manufacture of components in a wide variety of industries. Together we have created a unique combination of software, hardware and chemistry that removes obstacles to using Additive Manufacturing in mass production. Working with Forward AM, we have developed a portfolio of products that delivers the required functional properties perfectly, enables high-resolution mass manufacture, and thereby adds real customer value,” says Paul Holt, Managing Director, Photocentric Ltd.

“This extended range of high performance materials now allows our customers to take full advantage of the large build volume, speed and reliability of Photocentric printers, to move towards the cost-effective, large-scale production of end-use parts,” comments Sally Tipping, Sales Director, Photocentric Ltd.

Image Courtesy of Photocentric

Ultracur3D EPD 1006 Powered by Photocentric will be the first in an initial set of ten products specifically developed for LCD daylight technology, and the partnership will look to expand offerings within the portfolio progressively.

BASF Ultracur material used in the LC Magna. Image Courtesy of Photocentric.

Photocentric, founded in 2002 and headquartered in the UK, has disrupted the vat photopolymerization 3D printing market with its Liquid Crystal 3D printers and material solutions that rely on LCD-screens (using visible or low light spectrum) to cure special photopolymers to print high quality parts, that significantly improve the speed and cost efficiency of 3D printing production, particularly in digital dentistry.

Video courtesy of Photocentric

The polymer market is set to generate $11.7 billion in 2020, as per SmarTech’s “Polymer Additive Manufacturing Markets and Applications: 2020-2029” report, and BASF, a leading polyurethane manufacturer and the world’s largest chemical company (by revenue), has been expanding its presence in the 3D printing industry, to include specialized materials providers, hardware and software providers, as well as service bureaus.

In 2019, BASF had introduced its new 3D printing brand ‘ForwardAM’ and, since then, has engaged in a number of partnerships, investments and acquisitions in the 3D printing ecosystem to expand its presence and offerings in the industrial AM market. The company acquired Sculpteo, partnered with Shapeways to combine the product creation platform’s proprietary technology with the range of additive materials from ForwardAM via a co-branded website; teamed with HP to develop materials for the Multi-Jet Fusion 3D printing platform, with Impossible Objects in its composite sheet layering technology, and with Origin and ECCO for footwear production; invested in Materialise for materials and software; invested in and partnered with PrismLab in the Asian market, with Essentium for Ultrafuse filaments for high-speed extrusion printing, as well as with Owens Corning for glass-fiber reinforced filament materials.

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BASF Acquires Industrial XSTRAND 3D Printing Filaments from Owens Corning

Last fall, Germany-headquartered BASF 3D Printing Solutions (B3DPS), a 100% subsidiary of BASF New Business GmbH, introduced its new corporate brand presence, Forward AM, to the 3D printing industry during formnext 2019. B3DPS provides service solutions and a wide variety of materials for the additive manufacturing (AM) value chain under this brand, which is ultimately working to propel industrial scalability in the additive manufacturing industry.

The materials that Forward AM currently offers include Ultrasint powders for powder bed fusion (PBF) printing, several Ultrafuse filaments ranging from standard and flexible to support and metal, and Ultracur3D photopolymers. Now, Forward AM is expanding its AM materials portfolio with the announcement that it has acquired the high-performance XSTRAND Business Line from global building and industrial glass fiber-reinforced composites leader Owens Corning.

“Through the acquisition of the Owens Corning XSTRAND business, we are able to serve our customers with new and innovative filaments for 3D printing,” stated François Minec, the Managing Director for BASF 3D Printing Solutions, in a press release sent to 3DPrint.com. “By adding these high-performing materials, Forward AM now offers one of the broadest product ranges in the entire Additive Manufacturing industry, with expert solutions tailored to all industrial customer needs.”

The acquisition was effective as of August 6th, 2020, with a scope that “does not envisage the transfer of any personnel” but does include transferring the brand itself, and all of its important intellectual property (IP), to BASF’s Forward AM brand.

The XSTRAND line of materials is made up of three separate, 30% glass fiber-reinforced filaments that Owens Corning developed: a polyamide, a polypropylene, and a polycarbonate. They are:

  • XSTRAND GF30-PA6, featuring extreme durability and a large operational temperature range
  • XSTRAND GF30-PP, with superior strength, chemical and UV resistance, and low moisture absorption
  • XSTRAND GF30-PC, with high heat deflection temperature and dimensional stability

Parts and components that are 3D printed using glass fiber-reinforced filaments like the XSTRAND line have high strength and ridigity, and it also enables easy printing and handling as well, so they can be used for very demanding industrial AM applications, such as industrial tooling and fixtures, transportation, automotive, electronics and small appliances, and engineering.

The XSTRAND filaments have excellent mechanical properties, due to the integrated glass fiber which reinforce them. Because of this, Forward AM says the materials are able to perform better than the standard polymer filaments you find on the market.

“BASF’s capability will enable the further acceleration of XSTRAND products and support future growth of the composites industry. Owens Corning will continue its collaboration with BASF as we transition XSTRAND® to them,” said Dr. Christopher Skinner, the Vice President of Strategic Marketing, Composites, for Owens Corning.

One of the XSTRAND filaments: GF30-PA6 filament for 3D printing is a reinforced material specifically designed to be compatible with any standard Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D printer. (Image courtesy of Owens Corning)

By acquiring this advanced AM material line, Forward AM will continue to grow its portfolio, further solidifying its place in the 3D printing industry as a top materials and service provider.

(Source: Forward AM / Images: Owens Corning)

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BASF Commercializing Metal-Polymer 3D Printing Composite Material with iGo3D, MatterHackers, and Ultimaker

BASF 3D Printing Solutions, a subsidiary of German chemical company BASF that’s focused entirely on 3D printing, has been working to build up its materials inventory over the past two years. In 2017, BASF formed a partnership with Essentium for the purposes of developing more robust FFF 3D printing materials. A new partnership focuses on the industrial Ultrafuse filament family, which includes extra-strong Ultrafuse Z for the desktop. Now, it’s introducing a new Ultrafuse material: Ultrafuse 316L metal-polymer composite.

“Ultrafuse 316L can, under certain conditions, be processed on any conventional, open-material FFF printer. Our goal was to develop a high-quality metal filament that makes the additive manufacturing of metal parts considerably easier, cheaper, faster, and accessible to everyone,” explained François Minec, Managing Director, BASF 3D Printing Solutions.

In the past, FFF was limited to just using thermoplastics. But BASF Ultrafuse 316L is a metal filament with polymer content, the latter of which acts as a binder during the printing process. The main polymer content, or primary binder, from the ‘green’ part is removed through catalytic debinding, which then results in the brown part of pure metal particles and the residual (secondary) binder. Industry-standard debinding and sintering processes take this secondary binder out of the brown part, while the metal particles combine. Post-sintering is when the material achieves its final hardness and strength properties – 316L stainless steel.

Ultrafuse 316L was specifically designed for safe, cost-effective printing of fully stainless steel objects on open FFF 3D printers for metal tooling, prototypes, and functional parts. Now, BASF has begun to commercialize the material with a trio of companies – professional desktop 3D printing solutions provider iGo3D, 3D printing retailer MatterHackers, and desktop 3D printing leader Ultimaker.

“In comparison to Metal Injection Molding (MIM), the Ultrafuse 316L offers an office-friendly solution, which opens new production opportunities. To reach the full potential of the metal filament and to ensure a solid start, it is necessary to understand that Ultrafuse 316L is not a conventional filament. Our goal is it to provide full service packages and support from the first request up to the finalized and sintered part, to implement metal 3D printing as a natural component in your manufacturing process,” said Athanassios Kotrotsios, the Managing Director of iGo3D.

The risk of defects is lower, and the success rate higher, when using Ultrafuse 316L due to the metal content being in the high 90% range, and an even distribution of metal in the binder matrix. In addition, the possible occupational and safety hazards that come with handling fine powders are significantly decreased with this material, because the metal particles are immobilized in the binder matrix.

“Ultrafuse 316L from BASF enables engineers and designers to produce true, pure, industrial grade metal parts easily and affordably using desktop 3D printers. This material is a significant technological advancement and truly a shift in how we describe what is possible with desktop 3D printers,” said Dave Gaylord, Head of Products for MatterHackers.

BASF’s Ultrafuse 316L – Metal filament for 3D printing stainless steel parts

The new Ultrafuse 316L metal composite filament is strong and flexible enough to be guided through complex material transport systems, and works with both Bowden and direct drive extruder types.

Paul Heiden, Senior Vice President Product Management for Ultimaker, said, “The Ultimaker S5 raises the bar for professional 3D printing by offering a hassle free 3D printing experience with industrial-grade materials. We are proud to announce that print profiles for Ultrafuse 316L will be added to the Ultimaker Marketplace. 3D printing professionals worldwide can then use FFF technology to produce functional metal parts at significantly reduced time and costs compared to traditional methods.”

BASF will provide 3D printer processing guidelines and parameter sets for Ultrafuse 316L, in addition to on-site support and consultancy to make sure that the material is performing up to snuff on your choice of FFF 3D printer. But if you’re interested in learning more about how to use the material now, you can check out this tutorial from MatterHackers about BASF’s new Ultrafuse 316L:

Metal polymer materials will let a lot more people 3D printing stronger materials. However, it has to be noted that a completely new geometry will most probably not work the first time with this process. Shrinkage rates in parts vary across wall thicknesses, part sizes and even geometries. During the sintering, process parts will tend to not shrink uniformly. The currentl limitation with Ultrafuse is therefore the same one that affects binder jetting with metals. For series of the same parts this is very interesting currently and it should be a solvable challenge to make shrinkage more predictable. But, the sheer data involved to predictably predict part outcomes at many geometries and do then in software predictively deform parts would be vast. So solvable, but still a difficult challenge to undertake for these partners and the industry as a whole.

Discuss this news and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts in the Facebook comments below.

[Images: BASF]

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RAPID 2019: BASF, Origin and ECCO Partner to Produce Footwear

BASF has quietly hinted for a while that they are working on various flexible materials such as silicones to produce things such as insoles, medical equipment and perhaps even shoes. Now they’ve partnered with Origin and ECCO to do just this. Furthermore BASF has validated its photopolymer materials for the Origin platform.

ECCO is a Danish footwear company that makes very comfortable shoes for everyday wear, think soft-soled shoes for work. Origin is a company that has previously already partnered with BASF on its programmable resin printing technology. We interviewed their CEO about their technology here. Origin has also recently signed up BASF competitor DSM to their materials platform. Meanwhile BASF has also partnered with materials and technology company Essentium. ECCO’s own internal design lab is using DOW silicone materials with German RepRap printers and Viscotec’s two component print heads to produce its silicone 3D printed shoe, the QUANT U. Over the past two years we’ve seen a lot of partnerships between a lot of firms. In this case, things seem to be coming to a head with multiple competitors partnering with multiple materials suppliers over the same end solution. Funnily enough for such an inspiring technology with such a broad spectrum of applications people are all hunting high volume use cases. This can lead to such “overpartnering” as everyone is chasing the next million part seller in 3D Printing.

The Viscotec solution seems to be high caliber and high-quality way to get silicone prints but I’ve always been skeptical if the German RepRap machines could be capable of producing millions of shoes. Now BASF and Origin present another way. Origin’s technology and the whole idea of polymerization that would can be programmed are very interesting. Origin’s open platform approach also seems like its the right way to engage the industry. BASF’s entry into the photopolymer market with its Ultracur3D photopolymer materials is also a bit of a shakeup vis a vis DSM, 3D Systems and Arkema’s Sartomer. That together with Henkel’s market entry will ensure that we get a lot of innovation at the photopolymer front. That the Origin BASF team is focused on mass production is also laudable. Meanwhile, BASF mentions that it is not only focused on Origin but will also make resins for LCD, DLP and SLA equipment. 

Arnaud Guedou, Business Director Photopolymer Solutions, BASF 3DPS says, 

“Origin’s newly developed printing system is optimally tuned for our innovative Ultracur3D photopolymer series. This enables end-users to achieve high processing speeds and a superb surface finish that reliably reproduces even the finest textures and ensures outstanding mechanical stability. We have worked shoulder to shoulder with our customers and know that we need to provide market-beating customized solutions in terms of surface finish, mechanical properties, price-per-part produced, and productivity. The combination of Origin’s technology with BASF’s materials is extremely promising, as the initial results and first functional prototypes of the collaboration clearly illustrate.”

The company says that,  

“the suite of Ultracur3D products features excellent strength and impact resistance, high elasticity and impressive long-term UV stability. It is suitable for the production of prototypes as well as for mass production in practically all major industries.”

Oleksandra Korotchuk, Business Development Manager, BASF 3DPS states  “With their (Origin’s) printing processes they are able to achieve consistent Class A surface finishes and exceptional resolution, while our materials contribute to ensuring long-term functional usage.”

Charlie Vestner, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing, Origin

“Not only did we work closely with BASF to develop new materials, but also the 3D printing processes for each of them. In close consultation together we determined how we can achieve specific high-quality resolutions and process control that suit our customers and their applications perfectly. We offer customers unrivalled control over the printing process – not just in designing their product, but also in the sheer scope of design options it offers, meaning it can be tailored precisely to each specific application.”

These are some very bold claims by the team. So 3DSystems has been working on resins for a few decades as has DSM and only now can we get end-use parts through BASF’s materials? All of the problems with limited heat deflection, wear, brittleness have been solved? I’d love to be optimistic but I’ll have to see long term testing results of this in order to believe that long bugbears of 3D printing with resins have been solved so suddenly. At the same time, I’m also skeptical of using a material with limited recyclability in an end-use consumer application. 

I really believe that this kind of partnership is key to getting settings, procedures, and automation right so that we can make millions of consumer items. Any combination of a large polymer company, OEM and end-user to make end-use products is bound to get me very excited. Firms the size of BASF can grind away at a problem with a lot of candle power and a lot of resources until it is solved as well. In this case, I do feel like the claims made feel very ambitious indeed, however. You can ask the BASF and Origin guys yourself at Booth 2153. 

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3D Printing News Briefs: May 19, 2019

We’ve got business news and materials news for your weekend, just ahead of next week’s massive RAPID + TCT show. 3D Hubs and AM Ventures are both opening new offices, but in vastly different countries. BASF 3D Printing Solutions is launching a new TPU material for use with HP’s latest 3D printer series, and Freeman Technology will be hosting a seminar about AM powders next month.

3D Hubs Opening US Headquarters in Chicago

Prototyping machine shop at mHUB

Two months ago, automated manufacturing platform 3D Hubs announced that it had received $18 million in Series C funding, some of which was earmarked for opening a dedicated US office to best serve the over 10,000 clients it serves here. Now, the company has announced that its new North American headquarters will be located in Chicago, Illinois, with the added bonus of an endorsement from the city’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel. This decision allows 3D Hubs to centralize its US workforce, and it plans to double the team at headquarters by the end of 2019. The offices will be located at the mHUB technology innovation center in the city’s West Town neighborhood, and are scheduled to open next month.

“3D Hubs joins the long list of international companies choosing Chicago for their future. With our growing tech economy and strong digital manufacturing community, Chicago is the perfect home for this innovative company,” said Mayor Emanuel. “I look forward to seeing 3D Hubs success in Chicago in the years to come.”

AM Ventures Opens Office in Korea

Germany-based AM Ventures Holding GmbH (AMV) is a top independent strategic investor in the AM industry, and over the last four years has been busily setting up an ecosystem of sustainable strategic investments, in addition to a partner network for using advanced manufacturing technologies in serial production. Now in an effort to further grow its technology venturing activities, it is expanding to the Asia Pacific region with a new office in Busan, Korea.

AMV’s Chief Venturing Officer Arno Held said, “AMV is pleased to announce the opening of its new office in Korea serving the Asia-Pacific region, a market which is already demonstrating active AM adoption for serial production and a large growth potential. AMV commits to this dynamic region and the investment opportunities available there.”

Having already moved to its new Korean home , AMV’s liaison office AM Ventures Asia has appointed Simon (Sangmin) Lee, a previous sales manager at the Korea office of EOS GmbH, as the Regional Director of Asia.

BASF 3D Printing Solutions Launches Ultrasint TPU Powder

Rüdiger Theobald, the Senior Manager for Sales & Marketing in Powder Bed Fusion at BASF 3D Printing Solutions GmbH, discusses the company’s new Ultrasint TPU powder in a recent YouTube video. The highly flexible yet accurate material, which is perfect for automotive applications and coating and simulation solutions, was launched specifically for HP’s new Jet Fusion 5200 series.

“Two great brands, two great companies merge together, both with innovative technologies on hand and a great new ecosystem to support the industry with a very innovative material,” Theobald said in the video.

“We have found out a good way to operate with different wall thicknesses, that makes it very reasonably usable for any kind of pressurized applications in regards of liquids or gas.”

Freeman Technology to Host Seminar on AM Powders

Next month, powder flow specialist Freeman Technology will be hosting a free seminar in the UK entitled “Understanding Powders for Additive Manufacturing.” The one-day event, which will take place on June 11th at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, will introduce attendees to the principles of powder rheology, and explain how associated methodologies can also be applied in order to gain a better understanding of how to optimize powder for AM applications.

During the seminar, there will be a presentation from Freeman Technology’s Operations Director Jamie Clayton about understanding and measuring powder flow and behavior. Industry experts, such as Ricoh Material Specialist Enrico Gallino and Product Manager Cathryn Langley with Malvern Panalytical, will present about some of the major challenges when it comes to powder handling, including how to quantify the size and shape of metal powders for AM. Delegates will also have the chance to see a demonstration of the company’s FT4 Powder Rheometer. You can register for the seminar here.

Discuss these stories and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts in the Facebook comments below.

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3D Printing Jobs Update: Roboze, Link3D, Carbon, BASF, BEEVERYCREATIVE

The 3D printing industry has seen several career shifts and new job opportunities over the past few months. Carbon, Link3D, Roboze, and BASF 3D Printing Solutions have all hired personnel recently, and there are a number of new opportunities cropping up from companies including BEEVERYCREATIVE, Assembrix, 3Dexter and Simplify3D If you’re searching for your next move […]
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3D Printing News Briefs: November 13, 2018

We should really call today’s 3D Printing News Briefs the formnext 2018 Briefs, as announcements from the show are numerous this week. EnvisionTEC, XYZprinting, BASF, and DSM all introduced new 3D printing materials at the event in Frankfurt today, and in the only news not related to formnext, Imerys Ceramics has announced a new range of ceramic feedstocks.

EnvisionTEC Debuting First 4K 3D Printing System

At formnext, 3D printer manufacturer EnvisionTEC debuted the industry’s first DLP-based 3D printer that uses a true 4K projector with UV optics tuned to the 385 nm wavelength. Available in three production-ready variations, with a gray body and a 2560 x 1600 pixel projector resolution, the Perfactory P4K 3D printer delivers highly accurate parts with an ultra-smooth surface finish. Additionally, the Perfactory P4K, has access to the rest of the Perfactory line’s versatile materials portfolio for production capacity.

“The P4K is the highest resolution advanced DLP printer with the largest build envelope and deploys artificial intelligence in pixel modulation to deliver the highest accuracy parts with the smoothest available surface finish in the 3D printing space. This will deliver the next level of production-grade 3D printing solutions,” said Al Siblani, the CEO of EnvisionTEC.

The new Perfactory P4K will be on display at formnext all week.

XYZprinting Introducing New 3D Printing Materials

Another company introducing new materials at formnext this week is desktop 3D printing brand XYZprinting. In order to expand the capabilities of both domestic and professional grade 3D printers, the company is launching a new antibacterial PLA material, along with copper metallic PLA and Carbon PLA materials. The first of these can destroy up to 99% of bacteria, including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and comes in four colors: white, red, yellow and neon green.

The copper metallic PLA, made of 65% copper powder, is a good alternative for hobbyists when it comes to sculpting metal for ornamental models. The material is being launched in conjunction with XYZprinting’s new nozzle, made of carbon hardened steel. Finally, the new Carbon PLA, which is also compatible with this new nozzle, is made of 10% carbon fiber, and its matte finish is ideal for showing off fine details. You can learn more about these new materials at XYZprinting’s booth D10 in Hall 3.1, where it will also be exhibiting its latest 3D printer, the da Vinci Color AiO, with a 3D scanner and optional laser engraver.

BASF 3D Printing Solutions Presents New Products at formnext

Germany-based BASF 3D Printing Solutions GmbH (B3DPS), a 100% subsidiary of BASF New Business GmbH, is also at formnext this week, to introduce several new materials for photopolymer and laser sintering methods, in addition to announcing some new partnerships and alliances. First, B3DPS is introducing flame-resistant Ultrasint Polyamide PA6 Black FR, Ultrasint PA6 Black LM X085, which is suitable for most current SLS 3D printers, and Ultrasint PP, a polypropylene with great plasticity, low moisture uptake, and resistance to liquids and gases. Additionally, B3DPS has also grouped its photopolymer materials under the new Ultracur3D brand name.

András Marton, Senior Business Development Manager at B3DPS, said, “Our Ultracur3D portfolio enables us to offer customers various UV-curable materials for 3D printing that provide far better mechanical properties and higher long-term stability than most available materials.

“These materials have been developed for functional components that are subject to high stress.”

The subsidiary also announced that it’s partnering with California company Origin and 3D printer manufacturer Photocentric to develop photopolymers and photopolymer 3D printing processes, and working with Chinese 3D printer manufacturer Xunshi Technology, which operates in the US under the name SprintRay, to open up new applications for the Ultracur3D range. Additionally, B3DPS subsidiary Innofil3D is partnering with Jet-Mate Technology in China and US-based M. Holland to distribute plastic filaments. Visit B3DPS at formnext this week at booth F20 in Hall 3.1.

DSM Announces 3D Printing Product Launches

Vent cover used for PIV windtunnel testing, printed in Somos PerFORM Reflect

In today’s final formnext news, science-based company DSM has unveiled two new high-performance materials for 3D printing structural parts. Somos PerFORM Reflect is a groundbreaking new stereolithography material for wind tunnel testing with PIV (Particle Imaging Velocimetry), and saves more than 30% post treatment cost by eliminating the need to apply PIV coatings to printed parts. In addition to helping customers conduct iterations and collect data more quickly, the resin could actually help break speed records for wind tunnel testing.

“Speed is crucial, whether in automotive, aerospace or other transportation design. Eliminating the need to apply PIV coatings is a major breakthrough for customers who are using PIV wind tunnel testing. It allows them to speed up their aerodynamic design optimizations. We are thrilled that our strategy of focusing on helping customers create their applications have enabled us to deliver such tremendous value. Overnight, Somos® PerFORM Reflect will not just set new speed records but new industry standards,” said Hugo da Silva, Vice President of Additive Manufacturing at DSM.

The company’s second new material is the thermoplastic copolyester (TPC) Arnitel ID2060 HT, which is perfect for the FDM 3D printing of structural parts for automotive applications. The material features a balance of prolonged high temperature resistance, flexibility, and chemical resistance against exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) condensate.

Imerys Ceramics Introduces EZ Print 3D Range of Ceramic Feedstocks

As part of the Imerys group, Imerys Ceramics designs, produces, and markets high-performance mineral solutions for the ceramic industries, and is making ceramic 3D printing easy with its new, unique range of ceramic materials called EZ Print 3D.

EZ Print 3D is available as a plug & play cartridge, so users can enjoy efficiency and ease of use when it comes to 3D printing. The materials are also available as a “ready to fill” ceramic feedstock, and have been tested on several 3D printers currently on the market. EZ Print 3D has a low firing temperature of 1220°C that’s compatible with most kiln temperature limits, and the genuine low porosity (<0,5%) of a porcelain. The technology is perfect for tableware and giftware applications, and the company plans to expand EZ Print 3D accordingly as 3D printing adoption grows. Imerys Ceramics also provides technical support and a dedicated team that’s competent in 3D printing to help customers.

Discuss these stories and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts in the Facebook comments below.

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Reebok’s 3D printed shoe line dashes into production

Boston headquartered shoe company Reebok and its materials provider BASF have released new details about its Liquid Factory sneaker 3D printing technology. To further their additive manufacturing ambitions, Reebok recently opened a Rhode Island facility where 3D printed shoes will be made. A new kind of shoe Back in 2016, Reebok and BASF teamed up to create […]