WACKER to release new silicone 3D printer and materials at K 2019

German Chemical group behind ACEO silicone rubber 3D printing WACKER has announced a range of new products to be presented later this year at the K 2019 trade fair in Düsseldorf. As well as materials, WACKER will debut its new 3D silicone printer, the ACEO Imagine Series K2, which is said to have multi-material printing […]

WACKER Opens New ACEO Open 3D Print Lab at Ann Arbor Facility

Munich-based WACKER is known for their expertise in manufacturing and supplying chemicals and materials to industry leaders. They are now adding to their silicone research and development facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan, dedicated a portion of it to an ACEO® Open Print Lab. With 3D printers already on site, they will be advising on additive manufacturing with a range of silicone rubber materials, varying in Shore A hardnesses and color.

WACKER considers the ACEO products to be pioneering technology, based on use of their silicone materials. ACEO techniques rely on their proprietary 3D printers, developed at WACKER, along with accompanying software and materials. All their unique methods have been rigorously tested for 3D printing ‘highly viscous’ silicone polymers which are used in ‘drop-on-demand’ processes, suitable for the following applications:

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace and aviation
  • Healthcare
  • Equipment
  • Mechanical engineering

The Michigan site follows the success of the world’s first 3D printing web shop opened by WACKER in 2017, and then the WACKER ACEO Open Print Lab in Burghausen, Germany, in 2017—where customers have been able to find out exactly how the use of silicone rubber and 3D printing can further manufacturing and industrial endeavors. With the popularity of that lab, they realized the need for a similar forum within North America. The Open Print Lab, meant to offer a local presence and AM solutions to other users and businesses, will host tutorials as well as giving hands-on training to customers interested in 3D printing with silicone.

“We are pleased to announce another milestone in ACEO’s history with the launch of the Open Print Lab in Ann Arbor,” says Dr. Bernd Pachaly, Head of Project 3D Printing at WACKER SILICONES. “North America is one of the leading markets in additive manufacturing. Our new facility brings 3D printing with silicones much closer to potential customers in the region.”

WACKER opened its first US based ACEO® Open Print Lab in Ann Arbor, Michigan, today. The new facility is equipped with two 3D printers able to process a broad range of silicone rubber with different Shore A hardnesses and in varying colors. (Photo: WACKER)

Headed by Lab Manager Sarah Burke, (previously at the Silicones R&D Center in fundamental product research for construction applications and consumer care), the lab will be equipped with two 3D printers, where ACEO’s manufacturing technology will be used for training and developing—exposing other users and companies to its usefulness in serial manufacturing and affordable production of replacement parts, or those that have become obsolete. Workshops will be offered to small groups of four or less, who will experience personal training in both theoretical and hands-on 3D printing education, from the basics to advanced design.

“Our business partners in the region want to understand how their ideas and products can be brought to market with our support. WACKER’s Silicone R&D Center in Ann Arbor was designed to develop advanced and forward-looking solutions for silicones. With the new Open Print Lab, we can significantly expand our local portfolio and contribute to the growing demand of the market,” says Ian Moore, Vice President of WACKER SILICONES at Wacker Chemical Corporation in Adrian, Michigan.

Are you interested in finding out more about a workshop? If so, register for training tailored to your needs at the ACEO campus in Ann Arbor, and find out more here. Find out more about other innovations we have covered regarding silicone, for items like insoles, conductive materials, or even soft robotic grippers

What do you think of this news? Let us know your thoughts! Join the discussion of this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com.

[Source / Images: WACKER/ACEO]

3D Printing News Sliced, Formnext 2018, ExOne, Stratasys, DyeMansion, America Makes, DSM

This edition of Sliced, the 3D Printing Industry news digest, focuses on the latest developments from the international additive manufacturing show Formnext in Frankfurt, Germany. Innovations in additive manufacturing hardware With Formnext in full swing, a plethora of 3D printing hardware has been showcased for the first time. WASP, the Italian manufacturer behind DeltaWASP 3D […]

ACEO Expands to United States with New Silicone 3D Printing Lab in Ann Arbor

WACKER, a global materials and technology manufacturer based in Munich, announced in 2016 that it had developed the first-ever industrial 3D printer for silicone materials. Around the same time, the company launched its new ACEO brand, which would be dedicated to the 3D printing of silicone rubbers. The brand is based out of its ACEO Campus in Burghausen, Germany, but is now expanding to the US. WACKER will be opening a 3D printing lab at its R&D center for silicones in Ann Arbor, Michigan; the lab will be its first regional 3D printing lab outside of Germany.

The new lab will start off with two 3D printers, which will each be able to print with a wide range of silicone rubber materials with different Shore A hardnesses and in different colors, including special media resistant FVMQ grades.

“In general, North America is the largest and most dynamic market for 3D printing,” said Bernd Pachaly, Head of the ACEO 3D printing project at WACKER. “With our new lab, prospective partners will obtain local access to the compelling possibilities of 3D printing with liquid silicone rubber.”

ACEO will continue to 3D print and deliver silicone components from its facility in Burghausen, but the new lab in Ann Arbor will provide technical service and advice to customers in North America, allowing them to get hands-on experience with silicone 3D printing technology.

“Right from the start, we will be engaged in projects involving medical devices and components needed for health care, transportation, aerospace and electronics, all of which are key industry segments, particularly for silicone-based products,” continued Pachaly. “Establishing a regional lab will support expansion of ACEO’s footprint in the US and furthers WACKER’s global service network for silicone rubber 3D printing solutions.”

ACEO’s drop-on-demand 3D printing technology allows for a great deal of design freedom and the printing of complex, functional components. Silicone rubber is a valuable 3D printing material, offering properties such as temperature and radiation resistance as well as biocompatibility. These properties make it a popular material for a range of industries including medicine, aerospace, automotive, equipment and mechanical engineering.

Since its inception, ACEO has expanded and further developed its technology, introducing multi-material 3D printing and functional materials. As the first company to introduce industrial silicone 3D printing, WACKER and its ACEO brand are exploring uncharted territory. Other companies have arisen with silicone 3D printing technology, but WACKER remains among the pioneers.

Locating the new ACEO 3D printing lab at the R&D facility in Ann Arbor is part of the company’s strategic business model for being close to its customers and serving regional business trends, according to Ian Moore, Vice President WACKER SILICONES at Wacker Chemical Corporation in Adrian, Michigan.

“Our Innovation Center is focused on developing advanced and forward-looking solutions that support regional trends which can be quickly brought to market,” Moore said. “Our team of scientists and highly specialized experts in the field of silicones and 3D printing will be able to offer our business partners valuable technical cooperation and services.”

Discuss this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts below. 

[Images: ACEO]

 

WACKER to open million dollar ACEO silicone 3D printing lab in the U.S.

The Munich-based WACKER chemical group is set to open its first regional 3D printing lab outside Germany at the end of 2018. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the new facility will provide ACEO silicone rubber 3D printing services to the growing North American market. “In general, North America is the largest and most dynamic market […]