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Industrial 3D Printing for High-Performance Parts

One of the most exciting aspects of exploring our platform at Shapeways is learning more about how users on all levels are innovating today, and how you might be able to expand your own concepts and designs further through 3D printing. There are a variety of different, affordable services and products offered; however, one of the most important facets that must always be considered — from Shapeways to the entire 3D printing space worldwide — is materials. You can modify printers and write new software all day long, but without a good selection of feedstocks to choose from, quality results are nearly impossible.

BASF (known as a worldwide leader in development and production of chemicals) began partnering with Shapeways this year in providing new materials through their BASF 3D Printing Solutions subsidiary. Our new Powered by Shapeways platform enables users to choose from BASF’s Forward AM materials, expanding accessibility and options for high-performance parts.

The new material portfolio includes Ultrasint TPU01, Ultrasint PP, Ultracur3D RG 35, and HP High Reusability PP.

Ultrasint TPU01

Ultrasint industrial grade powders are meant for 3D printing complex geometries that are accurate, strong, and durable. This thermoplastic polyurethane material is suitable for 3D printing functional end-use components, and is recommended if you require excellence in quality and flexibility for parts, along with the following features:

High level of detail
Good surface quality
Recyclability (Ultrasint TPU01 offers up to 80% reusability ratio)
Airtight parts (down to 1mm wall thickness)
UV resistance
Hydrolysis resistance

Approved for contact with skin, TPU01 is popular in automotive applications due to the open lattice structure encouraging both heating and cooling for interior parts like headrests or seats. Materials can be customized for individuals, and especially in areas typically experiencing heavier loads. Many of the best advantages of 3D printing technology can be used with TPU01 in particular, to include exponentially less time spent in development, production, and assembly time — along with elimination of tooling requirements and cost. Texture can be customized in terms of hardness/softness, and a variety of accompanying finishing options are offered too.

Another unique
benefit of TPU01 is that it can be used to 3D print protective gear for
the automotive industry; for instance, a protective glove was created for
workers at Jaguar Land Rover, offering support to prevent injuries due to
repetitive tasks. This type of gear is strong, yet lightweight and can be
completely customized for the wearer, including special modifications for the
job requirements of the individual. Again, this design is possible due to the
flexible lattice structure of the material. While it is flexible, hardness can
also be customized during the design process.

3D printing is employed in many footwear applications these days, and by users of widely varying experience and resource levels—from leading sports shoe companies to designers fabricating elegant flats or heels at their studios or from home workshops. Midsoles typically represent the 3D printed portion of shoes, with TPU01 allowing for consumer-specific customizations for greater comfort — designed around the wearer’s step, gait, pressure, and support — whether for sports, running, or other needs. Shoes can be made quickly, affordably, and on-demand.

TPU01 can also
be used to 3D print midsoles that are eco-friendly, requiring less material, as
well as offering improved aesthetics and performance. Personalized touches can
be applied afterward with a variety of different finishes and color choices.

Download the material data sheet from this page.

Ultrasint PP nat 01

A polypropylene material suitable for rapid prototyping as well as large-volume production of smaller parts, Ultrasint PP is a popular and affordable plastic with good market recognition. This material yields parts with excellent quality, balanced mechanical properties, and liquid, hydrolysis, and chemical resistance.

Ultrasint PP is
meant for production of smaller components like fluid reservoirs,
interior and exterior automotive parts, air ducts and piping, clips, covers,
hinges, and more. Parts like sensor covers can be made for critical aerospace
applications also, with prototypes fabricated from the same material and
process as the functional part. Live-hinge and snap-fit “barb” fittings can be 3D
printed too, with options for color and surface.

Download the material data sheet from this page.

Ultracur RG 35

Ultracur RG 35 is a highly reactive photopolymer suitable for a variety of parts used for multiple purposes, to include:

Connectors
Snappers
End-use components

Recommended for parts that require rigidity, Ultracur RG 35
offers excellent resolution in printing, low shrinkage, accuracy, and both
speed and ease in production.

Download the material data sheet from this page.

HP High Reusability PP

A material specialized for use in HP’s production-grade Multi Jet Fusion 3D printers, HP High Reusability PP is suitable for making parts that are chemically resistant like piping and fluid systems, as well as automotive parts for the interior, exterior, and under the hood.

Download the material data sheet from this page.

Here at Shapeways, we have always offered a rich foundation for providing a wide range of materials suitable for industrial use. And while there are certainly no rules within the 3D printing realm about using (as well as continually developing) and experimenting with materials, our partnership with BASF has yielded a treasure trove of quality materials for the automotive industry, as well as for critical applications used in aerospace, architecture, and medicine. Recently, our team has also focused on offering 3D printing for robotics and drone applications.

Whether you are a busy designer or an engineer hoping to have a prototype or functional part 3D printed quickly, you will find an inspiring range of materials available at Shapeways. Without having to invest in industrial printers or materials on your own, you can benefit from our long-term experience and investment in proprietary, advanced technology.

The post Industrial 3D Printing for High-Performance Parts appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

How does the Desktop Metal IPO benefit the 3D printing industry? – Additive Manufacturing experts comment

In a transaction that values metal 3D printing company Desktop Metal at $2.5 billion, the Massachusetts-based enterprise will list on the NYSE. Proceeds from going public are anticipated as $575 million, funds that CEO Ric Fulop says will be used to drive internal growth but also growth via acquisition. 3D printing is not a homogeneous […]

Forward AM and Photocentric launch joint portfolio of 3D printing visible light photopolymers

BASF’s 3D printing arm Forward AM, and materials and systems manufacturer Photocentric have launched a joint portfolio of polymers called ‘Ultracur3D Powered by Photocentric.’ Developed as part of an ongoing strategic partnership between Photocentric and Forward AM, the new resins are custom-engineered to work with Photocentric’s LCD systems. The initial line of ten visible light […]

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)

The post BASF Acquires Industrial XSTRAND 3D Printing Filaments from Owens Corning appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

BASF Forward AM Materials: Ultrasint & Ultracur3d Comparison Guide

Shapeways is pleased to have partnered with BASF to bring you access to four Forward AM materials: Ultrasint® PP nat 01, Ultracur3D® RG 35, Ultrasint® TPU01 and HP High Reusability PP enabled by BASF. These durable and versatile materials facilitate a high level of design complexity and accuracy, producing functional, resistant prototypes and end parts with first-rate surface quality. Common applications for these materials include automotive, industrial, aerospace and consumer goods.

Here are some details on each of these four material
options, and a comparison guide to help with your material selection process.

Ultrasint®
PP nat 01

Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most commonly used plastics materials printed using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology. Highly flexible and durable, it has a low moisture absorption rate and is resistant to most acids and bases, which makes it a great choice for parts with water contact. Ultrasint® PP nat 01 suits a range of applications from healthcare and orthopedic products to electronic and automotive parts and allows for post-processing such as thermoforming and sealing. It is a sturdy material that is well suited to industrial parts and production.

IDEAL APPLICATIONS:

Pipes and Ducts

Water Manifolds and Reservoirs

Economic and Functional Prototypes

Multi-Purpose Industrial Goods

Durable Jigs and Fixtures

Ultracur3D®
RG 35

This rigid, medium viscosity photopolymer is great for printing high-performance, functional and multi-purpose parts using Stereolithography (SLA), Digital Light Processing (DLP), or Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) machines. Parts produced with Ultracur3D® RG 35 are able to maintain extreme accuracy. It is a solid, tough material and is recommended for functional parts such as air ducts, electrical sockets and connectors.

IDEAL APPLICATIONS:

Snapper

Air Ducts

Electrical Sockets

Thermoforming Molds

Connectors

Jigs and Fixtures

Ultrasint®
TPU01

Ultrasint® TPU01 is a multi-use thermoplastic
polyurethane that typically comes in white and printed using Multi Jet Fusion
technology. It is a highly flexible material with excellent shock absorption,
making it ideal for footwear and other elastomeric parts. It is capable of producing
a high level of structural detail and intricacy and is UV and hydrolysis
resistant. It has excellent surface quality, high process stability and
throughput and its flexibility opens it to a myriad of uses that include
sporting goods and protection as well as interior automotive components and
orthopedic models.

IDEAL APPLICATIONS:

Sporting Goods

Footwear

End Use Automotive Parts

Lattice Structures for Custom Performance

HP High Reusability PP enabled by BASF

HP 3D HR PP is a highly versatile and durable
polypropylene material. It is chemically resistant and has a low water
absorption rate, which makes it a great choice for piping, fluid systems and
containers. It is the HP 3D material that costs the least and is very easy to
process, which increases productivity and reduces waste. Because it is both cost-effective
and functional, the material is well suited for prototypes as well as end parts.
It is a highly flexible material that is weldable to other PP parts, expanding
its range of applications from the automotive industry to the consumer goods
sector.

IDEAL APPLICATIONS:

Piping and Fluid Systems

Containers

Interior and Exterior Automotive Parts

Material Properties: Ultrasint® PP nat 01, Ultracur3D® RG 35, Ultrasint® TPU01 and HP High Reusability PP

Take a side-by-side look at each of these
materials’ properties below:

	Tensile Strength X	Tensile Strength Z	Heat Deflection Temp (0.45 MPa)	Tensile Modulus X	Tensile Modulus Z	Elongation at Break X	Elongation at Break Z
Ultrasint® PP nat 01	28 MPa	28 MPa	102 °C	1400 MPa	1400 MPa	30 %	10 %
Ultracur3D® RG 35	49 MPa	49 MPa	84 °C	1990 MPa	1990 MPa	4 %
Ultrasint® TPU01	9 MPa	7 MPa		75 MPa	85 MPa	220 %	120 %
HP High Reusability PP	30 MPa	30 MPa	100 °C	1600 MPa	1600 MPa	20 %	18 %

Ready to give these materials a try? Upload your model here to get an instant quote.

The post BASF Forward AM Materials: Ultrasint & Ultracur3d Comparison Guide appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Forward AM expands 3D printing materials portfolio with XSTRAND acquisition

Forward AM, a brand of global chemical specialist BASF, has acquired the XSTRAND business line from materials developer Owens Corning. The acquisition, effective August 06, involves the transfer of the brand and key intellectual property, but will not involve any changes in personnel. The move has allowed Forward AM to expand its 3D printing materials […]

3D Printing Webinar and Virtual Event Roundup, August 2, 2020

It’s another busy week in the 3D printing industry that’s packed full of webinars and virtual events, ranging in topics from medical materials and flexible electronics to polypropylene and market costs. There are four on Tuesday, August 4th, two on Wednesday, August 5th, and the week will end with the last KEX webinar on Thursday, August 6th.

ASTM’s AM General Personnel Certificate Program

Last week, the ASTM International Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) training course all about additive manufacturing safety. Now, the AM CoE is starting its AM General Personnel Certificate course, which will begin August 4th and run through the 27th. One of its key focus areas is promoting AM adoption, and helping to fill the knowledge gap with training for the future AM workforce is a major way that the AM CoE is doing this. The online course is made up of eight modules covering all the general concepts of the AM process chain, and attendees will learn important technical knowledge that will allow them to earn a General AM Certificate after completing a multiple-choice exam.

“This course will feature 17 experts across the field of additive manufacturing to provide a comprehensive course covering all of the general concepts of the AM process chain to its attendees. The course will occur over the month of August consisting of two modules per week for four weeks. More information can be found in the course flyer.”

Online registration will open soon. This is not a free course—you can learn about the fees here.

Nexa3D & Henkel: Medical Materials Webinar

Recently, SLA 3D printer manufacturer Nexa3D and functional additive materials supplier Henkel announced that they were partnering up to commercialize the polypropylene-like xMED412, a durable, high-impact material that can be used to 3D print biocompatible medical and wearable devices; in fact, it’s already been cleared to print nasal swabs. Now, the two are holding a virtual leadership forum on “Advances and Breakthroughs in 3D Printed Medical Equipment and Device Materials,” like xMED412. Topics to be discussed will include new possibilities for 3D printing medical equipment and devices, the benefits of using AM to fabricate these products, and the advantages additive manufacturing has over medical materials made with traditional manufacturing. Panelists will engage with attendees after the discussion in a live Q&A session.

“3D printing has introduced all kinds of new possibilities for developing stronger and lightweighted equipment but we’ve only scratched the surface of what’s possible. These past few months have driven the industry to new realms of creativity with the need to quickly deliver medical supplies, devices and materials. With new lightweight, sturdy materials designed to withstand impact, moisture and vibration, access to lower cost medical equipment is becoming more widely available thanks to 3D printing.”

SOLIDWORKS Design Solution Demonstration

Also on August 4th, at 11 am EST, Dassault Systèmes will be holding a brief demonstration of its 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS design solution. This demonstration of the platform’s capabilities will last just 22 minutes, and will teach attendees how to collaborate and stay connected to data while creating new designs with SOLIDWORKS when connected to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, exploring the latest tools available on the platform, and design a model using both parametric (3D Creator) and Sub-D modeling (3D Sculptor) tools with the help of complementary workflows.

“SOLIDWORKS is the design tool that has been trusted by engineers and designers around the world for decades. Part of the 3DEXPERIENCE WORKS portfolio, SOLIDWORKS is now connected to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform with cloud-based tools that enable everyone involved in product development to collaborate on real-time data. Doing so enables you to efficiently gain the insight needed to create revolutionary new products.”

You can register for the demonstration here.

NextFlex Innovation Days

The last August 4th event in this week’s roundup is NextFlex Innovation Days, the flagship showcase event for the consortium of academic institutions, companies, non-profits, and local and federal governments that make up NextFlex and are working to advance US manufacturing of flexible hybrid electronics (FHE). The event will run through Thursday, August 6th, and will include panel discussions on how FHEs are continuing to transform the world, including a panel featuring a special guest speaker from the US Senate. FHE innovations that will be highlighted during the event include a wearable biometrics monitor from Stretch Med, Inc., flexible skin-like sensors from Georgia Tech, a flexible UV sensor out of the NASA Ames Research Center, miniaturized gas sensors that GE Research integrated into wearables and drone formats, and Brewer Science’s integrated FHE solutions in a brewery application.

“This multi-day virtual event will feature over 50 customer, partner and member company presentations online available at no cost. If you watch live, you’ll have the chance to interact with presenters and flexible hybrid electronic (FHE) experts from the comfort of home via webinars and virtual labs, or you can watch video demonstrations at your availability.”

Additive America & HP AM Webinar

HP is currently sponsoring a webinar series highlighting business in the AM industry that worked to transition their production processes in order to help fill the supply chain gap that’s been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This week’s episode, which will take place at 1:30 pm EST on Wednesday, August 5th, will feature a discussion with Additive America on “the lasting impact of COVID-19 on additive manufacturing.”

“Listen in on conversations with our customers to learn how they have adapted to the change in business climate, whether it be a shift in production workflow to address supply chain gaps, enabling a faster product development cycle to support changing customers’ needs, or bridge production.”

You can register for this webinar here.

Prodways, BASF, & Peridot Talk Polypropylene

Also on August 5th, Prodways, BASF, and full-service product development company Peridot Inc. will be holding a free webinar together called “Rethink Additive Manufacturing with Polypropylene.” Led by Lee Barbiasz from Prodways, Jeremy Vos from BASF, and Peridot owner Dave Hockemeyer, the webinar will focus on how PP 1200, a tough, chemically resistant, low density polypropylene enabled by BASF for selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing, is being used to bridge the gap between additive manufacturing and injection molding, as well as growing opportunities and applications in short run manufacturing. Hockemeyer was an early adopter of the material, and will share a variety of use cases for PP 1200. There will also be a chance for attendees to ask questions about the material.

“3D Printing with Polypropylene is here! After more than three decades, 3D printing technology has evolved the ability to 3D print polypropylene material. Polypropylene enables scalability in manufacturing, reduces barriers to entry in 3D printing and reduces manufacturing costs by 25-50%!”

You can register for the webinar, held on Wednesday, August 5th, from 1-1:45 pm EST, here.

KEX Knowledge Exchange on Market, Costs & Innovation

The last entry in this week’s roundup will take place on Thursday, August 6th. KEX Knowledge Exchange AG, a former spinoff of Fraunhofer IPT, held webinars in July about powder bed fusion technology and post-processing, and the last in its series will be an online seminar on Market, Costs & Innovation. Sebastian Pfestorf from KEX and Lea Eilert, the project and technology manager for the ACAM Aachen Center for Additive Manufacturing, will be the speakers for this webinar.

“In this online seminar, you will learn:

Current AM market and industrial trends
What markets the technology has penetrated the most and why
How to go about implementing AM, including risks and uncertainties

You can register for the hour-long webinar here. It will take place on Thursday, August 6th, at 8 am EST.

Will you attend any of these events and webinars, or have news to share about future ones? Let us know!

The post 3D Printing Webinar and Virtual Event Roundup, August 2, 2020 appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

BCN3D raises €2.8 million to develop new 3D printing hardware and materials

Spanish 3D printer manufacturer BCN3D Technologies has raised €2.8 million from a combination of new and existing strategic investors. The start-up has now gained more than €5.5 million in investment since it was spun off from Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) in 2019. The funding round was led by existing backers The Spanish National Innovation […]

BASF subsidiary Forward AM extends 3D printing partnership with Prismlab

Global chemical production company BASF’s 3D printing arm Forward AM, has reached an agreement to strengthen its partnership with 3D printing process and hardware provider Prismlab. The deal, signed at Prismlab’s Shanghai base, will see some of its 3D printing photopolymer products integrated into Forward AM’s Ultracur3D photopolymer portfolio. Closer cooperation with Prismlab not only […]

EOS and BASF 3D printed designs awarded $1.37m NFL Helmet Challenge funding

The National Football League (NFL) and Football Research Inc. (FRI) have awarded $1.37 million in funding to groups developing 3D printed protective headgear for the ongoing NFL Helmet Challenge. Additional finance has been provided to four different projects, in order to aid the creation of their innovative helmet prototypes. With the help of well-known additive […]