Polymaker's FGF/LFAM Business Development Manager, Deborah Claxton, recently visited Krauss Maffei, our partner, to learn about the powerPrint System and how it utilizes pellet materials. With almost 190 years of experience, Krauss Maffei is a leading manufacturer of machinery and systems for the production and processing of plastics and rubber. The company has consistently been at the forefront of innovation, specializing in technologies such as injection molding, extrusion, and reaction processing. Now, Krauss Maffei is elevating its offerings by integrating new additive manufacturing solutions.
The powerPrint System: Revolutionizing Large-Scale 3D Printing
The powerPrint system represents KraussMaffei’s significant leap into the additive manufacturing arena. This gantry-based, large-scale 3D printer is meticulously designed to deliver high-quality, repeatable production, addressing longstanding challenges in the industry such as warping and adhesion failures.
Key Features:
- Advanced Extrusion Technology: The heart of the powerPrint system lies in its specially designed extrusion unit. Featuring a longer screw length for homogeneous melting, the unit ensures precise control over material flow and temperature, resulting in consistent, high-quality prints.
- Thermal Management: Equipped with a thermally isolated housing and heated print table, the system minimizes the risks of warping and adhesion issues.
- Process Stability: With advanced temperature control and optimized material flow, the system guarantees consistent results across multiple production runs, even in demanding industrial applications.
An Example Case Study with Pellet Material from Polymaker
To demonstrate the optimal performance of this system, Krauss Maffei collaborated with Polymaker to produce a thin-walled part used in the automotive and white goods industry. This part was printed with PolyCore™ ABS-5022 (20% carbon fiber reinforced ABS compound pellet). This carbon fiber reinforced material offers increased stiffness, strength and resistance to deformation under pressure. This partnership highlighted the system's ability to achieve rapid production with reduced costs while maintaining high mechanical integrity. By enabling simultaneous printing of multiple parts, followed by precision finishing, Krauss Maffei showcases its ability to streamline workflows and reduce lead times significantly. The use of PolyCore™ ABS-5022 allows for reduced layer times and cost-effective production while maintaining the mechanical properties comparable to traditional manufacturing methods.
Case Study Details:
Weight: 0,543 Kg
Dimensions: 520 x 310 x 4,5 mm
Printing System: Krauss Maffei powerPrint
Printing by: KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH
Printed with: PolyCore™ ABS-5022
"Using Polycore™ ABS-5022 allowed us to achieve high-quality, large-scale parts with reduced layer times and cost-effective production. Its material properties closely match those of traditional manufacturing methods like injection molding, making it ideal for automotive and white goods applications. This case study demonstrates how additive manufacturing can transition from prototyping to pre-series production with confidence." – Michael Helneder, Head of Customer Success Krauss Maffei
Looking Ahead: Future Innovations
Krauss Maffei’s vision for additive manufacturing extends to the introduction of an industrial robot-based system. Set to debut at the JEC show in Paris in 2025, this system will enable multi-dimensional printing, unlocking new possibilities for complex geometries and non-planar designs. By integrating data tracking and advanced polymers into its solutions, Krauss Maffei continues to set new benchmarks for quality and efficiency.
The company’s ongoing partnership with Polymaker at events like TCT Asia 2025 further emphasizes its focus on addressing industry challenges through innovation and collaboration.
Conclusion
Krauss Maffei’s foray into additive manufacturing with the powerPrint system demonstrates its dedication to innovation and industry leadership. By combining cutting-edge technology, customer-focused services, and strategic partnerships, the company is well-positioned to shape the future of large-scale additive manufacturing.
Learn more about Krauss Maffei
Learn more about Polymaker’s pellets: PolyCore™ - Polymaker
Polymaker is thrilled to announce the launch of PolyCore™ PC-7413, a cutting-edge pellet-based material made from 30% glass fiber reinforced polycarbonate (PC). This advanced material is specifically engineered for medium-temperature (80 °C - 120 °C) composite mold applications, an area that has rapidly evolved in recent years through the adoption of fused granule fabrication (FGF), also known as Large-Format Additive Manufacturing (LFAM). By leveraging FGF/LFAM, manufacturers achieve significant reductions in lead time and production costs.
“Over the past few years, producing large molds has rapidly become the most popular application of FGF/LFAM. PolyCore™ PC-7413 combines exceptional printability with cost-effectiveness to set a new benchmark in mold manufacturing.” Stated Raymond Huang, Director of Polymaker’s FGF Business.
Figure 1 | A mold was printed with PolyCore™ PC-7413
Key Features and Industry-Leading Capabilities
PolyCore™ PC-7413 boasts numerous advantages, making it an outstanding choice for medium-temperature composite mold applications.
- Excellent Heat Resistance: With a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of 136 °C at 1.82 MPa, PolyCore™ PC-7413 is ideal for autoclave curing processes up to 120 °C.
- Exceptional Printability: The glass fiber reinforcement minimizes warping during printing, and its finely tuned rheological behavior ensures smooth extrusion and excellent layer adhesion.
- Cost Effectiveness: PolyCore™ PC-7413 offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional carbon fiber reinforced materials, making it perfect for companies scaling up production without compromising on performance.
The material's performance was validated through a real-world case in which an aerospace-grade mold was successfully produced and subjected to additional rigorous testing. The mold met strict requirements for dimensional tolerance (± 0.2 mm) and airtightness, confirmed by high-precision laser scanning and vacuum tests. These results demonstrate the material’s exceptional heat resistance, strength, and dimensional stability, underscoring PolyCore™ PC-7413 as an ideal choice for composite mold applications.
Figure 2 | The mold and carbon fiber part after autoclaving
Figure 3 | Dimensional inspection result of the mold after autoclave curing
A Collaborative Success with Helio Additive
Beyond PolyCore™ PC-7413’s inherent material properties, we believe that the printing process, optimized by Dragon was also a critical factor in achieving the complete mold validation. By using a thermal history simulation for each voxel, Dragon’s optimization achieved a more uniform thermal distribution across the mold, reducing internal stress and enhancing layer adhesion. This process refinement contributed to the mold’s dimensional stability and airtightness, leading to a successful "First Time Right Print" with a 38% reduction in printing time.
Figure 4 | Optimization report from Dragon
“Materials are at the heart of what makes large format additive manufacturing powerful. Collaborating with Polymaker allows us to use the full power of Dragon with state-of-the-art materials to develop solutions for composite tooling.” Stated David Hartmann, CEO of Helio Additive
See PolyCore™ PC-7413 at Formnext 2024
Polymaker invites you to explore the capabilities of PolyCore™ PC-7413 and see firsthand how this new material can transform your manufacturing processes. Visit our booth at Formnext in Hall 12.1, Stand C21 to learn more.
For more information, or to explore how PolyCore™ PC-7413 can benefit your production, contact us at polycore.inquiry@polymaker.revolware.com.
In the evolving landscape of 3D printing, innovation is not only about perfecting end products but also enhancing the processes that support production. Xioneer, a leader in the manufacturing of soluble support materials for FFF/FDM 3D printing, is proud to announce a partnership with Polymaker, a renowned supplier of high-performance model materials. Together, we are working to revolutionize support removal solutions with our upcoming product series, the Typhoon.
Introducing the Typhoon Series: Next-Gen Support Removal Devices
Our new Typhoon series represents a leap forward in support removal technology. The Typhoon 30 and Typhoon 70 devices are engineered to streamline and enhance the support removal process, providing a fast, efficient, and reliable solution that meets the needs of modern 3D printing professionals.
A standout feature of these devices is their advanced, magnetic-driven impeller, designed to maximize agitation and ensure effective removal of soluble supports. To perfect this component, we explored countless geometric configurations, ultimately relying on the precision and flexibility of 3D printing to find the optimal design.
3D Printing and Material Selection: The Role of Polymaker's PPS-CF
When choosing the right material for our impeller, we needed something robust enough to endure exposure to heat, water, and chemicals without compromising durability or efficiency. Enter Polymaker's PPS-CF—a material that offers the perfect blend of strength and resistance. Polymaker’s high-performance PPS-CF material (a polyphenylene sulfide carbon fiber blend) has proven to be an ideal solution, allowing us to print highly precise, durable, and heat-resistant impellers that can withstand the demanding conditions inside our Typhoon machines. Together with our VXL 150 soluble support material, it is possible to print PPS-CF directly crystalline without the need for annealing, making it the perfect high-temperature combination.
The Power of Collaboration
This collaboration exemplifies how partnerships in the 3D printing industry can drive groundbreaking results. With Polymaker’s expertise in high-quality materials and Xioneer’s focus on advanced support solutions, we’re creating tools that make 3D printing smoother and more efficient than ever.
Moving Forward
The Typhoon series is set to redefine support removal. As we push forward with this development, we want to extend our thanks to Polymaker for their invaluable role in helping us realize our vision. With Polymaker’s advanced materials and our next-generation designs, we’re committed to setting a new standard for reliability and performance in the 3D printing industry.
Stay tuned for more updates as we bring the Typhoon series closer to launch. At Xioneer, we’re excited to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in 3D printing!
Check out the overall compatibility of Polymaker and Xioneer materials with many combinations already being viable for high-speed-printing: Link to compatibility chart.
Visit Xioneer at formnext: Hall 12.1, Booth E121
Visit Polymaker at formnext: Hall 12.1, Booth C21
AMESOS and Polymaker announced today a strategic partnership to co-develop high-speed fused filament fabrication (FFF) based 3D printing solutions.
Polymaker is a well-known name in the 3D printing industry – the Shanghai-based company develops and manufactures a large variety of materials for material-extrusion based 3D printing. Their products have won multiple awards and are widely used by a large spectrum of professional and industrial users. AMESOS, on the other hand, was formed recently as a spin-off of Akribis Systems, a Singapore-based, global leader in direct drive motors and motion control technologies founded in 2004. Despite being a new entrant, the teams at AMESOS and Akribis have been working on 3D printing for the last 5 years. The deep technical capabilities in motor design and motion control from Akribis allowed the team to design 3D printing systems in ways that are very different from the status-quo.
It is widely known that speed is a key bottle neck for FFF based 3D printing. It is a major barrier to the wider adoption of the technology, particularly in series production applications. Despite this industry consensus, progress in improving the printing speed of FFF has been rather limited over the years. The key reason for the lack of progress, is that the problem is intrinsically hard. It requires multiple domains of technical expertise working in a concerted effort.
“We started by trying to solve the problem alone,” says Tommy Huang, the Co-Founder of AMESOS, “but very soon we realized we are only part of the solution and desperately need many other areas of expertise.”
“The process complexity of FFF 3D printing is orders of magnitude higher than traditional polymer processing technologies,” says Dr. Xiaofan Luo, President of Polymaker, “therefore to really tackle this problem we need some major paradigm shift in the R&D process.”
The goal of this partnership between AMESOS and Polymaker is to co-develop a high-speed FFF based 3D printing solution, which they call “FFF 2.0”. “We will take a process-centric and bottom-up approach,” Xiaofan explains, “we will start with studying and defining the process, which then guides the printer design and material development, not the other way around. And this is very different from how R&D is done today in many printer and material companies.”
To tackle the process complexity, Polymaker will also bring in Helio Additive, a new startup company which Polymaker helped co-found. Helio Additive is developing a unique software solution that combines physics-based simulation and data science to guide the development and optimization of printing processes. Helio’s software tool will be a vital part to the success of this partnership.
“We have already seen some promising preliminary results that have proved the viability and effectiveness of our partnership model.” Says Tommy, referring to the Blade 1 system, the first-generation 3D printing system AMESOS will introduce to the market later this quarter. Initial results show a consistent, over 60% reduction in printing times over existing FFF printers. This is achieved with no compromise in the overall printing quality. Furthermore, with the custom developed material by Polymaker, the mechanical properties are on par or even higher under high-speed printing.
“What we want is to achieve consistent high-speed printing without sacrificing part quality or properties,” says Tommy, “this is very different from some false claims you see in the industry – yes you can print faster but this comes with other, unspoken compromises. What we want is true speed improvement.”
“AMESOS and Polymaker have a shared vision about the future of FFF in series production,” says Xiaofan, “we are still in the beginning and there is huge, untapped potential to be explored.”
AMESOS and Polymaker are currently working on a multi-year technical roadmap. Their ultimate goal is to make FFF based 3D printing a competitive, widely adopted production technology.
About AMESOS
The Amesos team encompasses strong knowledge and experience in precision equipment design, hardware, software, processing parameter and industrial applications. Core knowhow in motion control and direct drive enable Blade Series to manifest both speed and precision at the same time. With global offices in Singapore, China, USA, Germany, Israel, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand, synergy with strategic partners, Amesos can offer a “FFF 2.0” turn-key solution in series production applications, focus on semiconductor, robot, auto, defense, aerospace, health care, energy and other industries.
About Polymaker
Polymaker is a developer and manufacturer of 3D printing materials committed to innovation, quality and sustainability. Its award-winning product portfolio has enabled numerous individuals and companies to better create and make. Headquartered in Changshu, China, Polymaker has multiple office locations in Shanghai, Utrecht and Houston ready to serve customers across the globe.
Wisconsin Precision Casting Corporation (WPCC) is one of the leading investment casting companies that are using Ultimaker printers in combination with Polymaker filaments. WPCC has been using 3D printing for over 30 plus years. The use of printed patterns for prototype investment castings has become recognized by the industry but is yet used for massive production.PolyCast™, due to its dimension stability, print consistency, ability to polish, and low-ash feature, allowed them to streamline the investment casting process and significantly cut cost. Prior to usingPolyCast™, WPCC used several different methods including other forms of 3D printing, and wax injection to create customized patterns. They turned to Polycast in 2019 along with collaborating with Ultimaker printers.
PolyCast™ is a PVB-based material designed for metal investment casting. It shares a similar formulation with the well-known PolySmooth™ and comes with ash-free technology that enables clean burnout. PolyCast™ leaves an ash residue less than 0.003% after the burnout process operated at 600°C. PolyCast™ is also safe and easy to post-process. It is smoothable with IPA in PolySher™ or similar tools.
Figure(1) Comparison of ash content between with and without Ash-Free™
PolyCast™ is formulated to maintain excellent printability. By simply replacing the wax molding with PolyCast™ 3D printing, one could perform the rest of the investment casting process seamlessly. The nature of 3D printing, however, enables customization and iteration and significantly cuts down both the cost and lead time by eliminating the tooling process. The overall process of investment casting enabled by PolyCast™ is similar to the original process.
Figure(2) Flow chart of PolyCast™ in industrial investment casting
For example, WPCC found that it cost only $0.696 per cubic inch if PolyCast™ is used. It is less than one-third of the cost of the other pattern fabrication methods. During the testing process, they found that PolyCast™ -enabled process,
- Creates precise castings
- Is less expensive to print than purchased printed patterns
- Is faster to cast than purchased printed patterns
Figure(3) printing and casting parts from WPCC
Wisconsin Precision has used printed patterns for many years to create a prototype and low volume production castings. It is a key element of WPCC’s business strategy to provide rapid prototype investment castings for R&D projects and to acquire new customers.
THE WOODLANDS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nexeo Plastics, a leading global thermoplastics resin distributor, has announced it will begin carrying and distributing Polymaker’s high performance 3D printing filaments in North America, including carbon reinforced nylons and a fire-retardant polycarbonate.
Polymaker offers a diverse portfolio of materials from high performing plastics to unique aesthetic solutions. Each family of products has unique properties and can be used in a wide range of applications from everyday needs to industrial applications.
“We are very excited about the partnership with Nexeo Plastics, as both our teams share the same passion for 3D printing. Nexeo Plastics’ unique strength in supply chain and customer service will greatly amplify the impact of our engineering materials in key industries,” said Dr. Xiaofan Luo, Founder, Polymaker.
Polymaker materials are formulated and fine-tuned in their research and development laboratory, and they undergo rigorous quality control checks to ensure their roundness and diameter are consistent.
“We are excited to join efforts with Polymaker,” said Paul Tayler, president and chief executive officer of Nexeo Plastics. “Their quest to continue to add cutting edge materials to their portfolio is a great fit with our goal to provide our customers and potential customers with quality materials and solutions to fit their needs.”
Nexeo Plastics’ 3D supplier expansion is part of a continued strategy to provide a wide range of product choices, supply chain expertise, and exceptional sales and customer service to meet the demands of its 3D customers.
About Polymaker
Polymaker is a manufacturer of advanced 3D printing materials specifically engineered for a wide range of applications across many industries. At the heart of Polymaker is a large research and development laboratory which drives the company forward through constant innovation and testing. All Polymaker materials are formulated and optimized for 3D printing while maintaining the unique properties inherent to the respective base polymer. Polymaker has served customers in over 100 countries from its global locations in China, USA and the Netherlands. Polymaker’s continuous dedication to innovation and quality has been recognized by several major awards, including The Material Company of The Year award from 3D Printing Industry (2017), Technology Innovation Award from TCT (2017), and Most Promising Enterprises Award from Ernst & Young (2020).
Find more information at www.polymaker.com.
About Nexeo Plastics and 3D at Nexeo Plastics
3D at Nexeo Plastics is part of Nexeo Plastics, a leading global thermoplastic resins distributor, representing quality products from world-class suppliers, and serving a diverse customer base across North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. In the 3D Printing market, we provide expert local application, technical support, shortened lead times, smaller order quantities and customer service through our sales team and eCommerce site, Nexeo 3D. Learn more at www.nexeoplastics.com and www.nexeo3d.com/nexeo3d.
Anisoprint, developer of continuous fiber 3D printing technology for the manufacturing of optimal composites, has presented two new 3D printing materials developed by Polymaker — Smooth PA & CFC PA.
These new materials have been developed to work in tandem with the Composite Fiber Co-extrusion (CFC) technology at the heart of Anisoprint. This can deliver continuous fiber reinforcement within 3D printed parts which greatly improves tensile strength and stiffness allowing further refinement and practicality of end-use 3D printed parts.
The success of CFC 3D printed parts is dependant on the mating of material and fiber inlay to create a homogenous plastic part. The CFC PA provides the perfect interface surface with Anisoprint's composite fibers, while the Smooth PA delivers a higher quality surface finish for exterior perimeters and details. This combination delivers incredibly tangible 3D printed parts with a lustrous surface finish while benefitting from the added strength and stiffness of the continuous composite fiber.
"We see huge potential in CFC 3D printing, the ability to enhance 3D printed parts in this fashion allows an even greater degree of part optimization. When you hold one of these parts in your hands you really understand the benefits that the Anisoprint technology offers." - Luke Taylor - Marketing Manager, Polymaker
Besides the 3D printers, reinforcing materials and software, Desktop Anisoprinting includes:
- verified printing profiles, developed by Anisoprints application engineers team;
- and training courses from the experts with more than 10 years of experience in composite materials development.
In combination with Anisoprint’s science-intensive technology of continuous fiber 3D printing, Desktop Anisoprinting allows manufacturers to obtain optimal composite parts with the minimum risk of failure, wasting no time and money.
Printing profiles
Anisoprint’s engineers have developed and verified printing profiles for a wide range of plastics, that include ideal temperature, speed, layer thickness, cooling, and other settings. There is no more need to waste material for tuning, you can print perfect composite parts right away.
Composites basics online training course
Anisoprint technology was developed by engineers and scientists with decades of experience in composite materials manufacturing. Now you can use their knowledge to take special training courses. This way implementation of continuous fiber 3D printing technologies to your manufacturing process will be as if you’re working together with the composite materials experts.
‘Adopting new technologies is always a challenge, but it's the only way to compete and survive in the modern economy. We want to support our customers in this journey and help them to make it smooth. That's why we are launching Desktop Anisoprinting - there is everything you need to start 3D printing with composites and introduce yourself to the future of manufacturing’ — says Fedor Antonov, CEO of Anisoprint.
Desktop anisoprinting solution will be available for sale from the end of November. You can get a quotation at the company’s website: www.anisoprint.com
To learn more, join the webinar on the 15th of October where Fedor Antonov, Anisoprint CEO, will tell more about Desktop Anisoprinting. Register for free here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0odOitrD8tGNVowx6X19f9LeaFHP0vNBFE
Polycarbonate (PC) materials specifically designed for industrial 3D printers with a heated chamber
New materials bring strong mechanical and thermal properties to METHOD X 3D printer for a wide range of engineering applications.
BROOKLYN, N.Y., Sept. 17, 2020 – MakerBot, a global leader in 3D printing and subsidiary of Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq: SSYS), today announces that Polymaker, a leading provider of 3D printing materials, has qualified three polycarbonate materials for MakerBot LABS™ for the MakerBot METHOD X™ 3D printer.
Polymaker™ PC-PBT, PolyMax™ PC-FR, and PolyLite™ PC are available to print on the METHOD X 3D printer with the MakerBot LABS Experimental Extruder. This extruder turns METHOD into an open materials platform, enabling users to print with a wide variety of third-party materials on an industrial 3D printing platform. The latest material additions from Polymaker to the LABS portfolio aim to enable METHOD X users to harness the strong mechanical and thermal properties of polycarbonate (PC), while reducing problems such as warping and curling that typically occur when used with conventional desktop 3D printing machines.
Polycarbonate is a popular high-performance engineering material that possesses a unique balance of toughness, good light transmission, high heat resistance, and excellent electrical resistance. It is lightweight, has the ability to transmit light as effectively as glass, and withstand impacts better than other thermoplastics such as ABS. Due to these properties, PC materials are commonly used for functional prototyping and end-use parts in the production of automotive components, protective gear, medical device components, and exterior lighting fixtures.
However, polycarbonate can be challenging to print due to its ability to contract if it is cooled too quickly, which can cause warping and shrinkage of the printed part. Controlling the ambient temperature, such as with a heated chamber, is one of the most critical factors when printing polycarbonate.
The MakerBot METHOD X 3D printer is the only printer in its price class with a heated chamber that reaches up to 110°C, letting the parts cool down gradually to minimize curling and warping. METHOD controls how fast a part cools down during the printing process, allowing it to print polycarbonate and other advanced materials more successfully than typical desktop 3D printers that only have a heated build plate. In addition, with the moisture sensitivity of PC materials, Polymaker recommends using a material caddy, such as the Polymaker PolyBox™, to safeguard them from precipitation in the environment. MakerBot METHOD™ users can also use the Material Drying mode on the METHOD X to remove moisture from the materials.
"Polycarbonate is often the choice for parts that function in demanding applications. Its mechanical properties, flame retardance, and chemical resistance also allow engineers to push the boundaries of their 3D printed parts and experiment with new geometries,” said Xiaofan Luo, PhD, President of Polymaker. “Anyone who is serious about printing polycarbonate knows that a heated chamber is essential for printing large and strong complex parts. METHOD is bringing industrial capabilities to a desktop machine, and we think its users will really benefit from the material properties our PC range offers.”
“With its up to 110°C heated chamber, METHOD is a powerful and unique 3D printer platform for printing advanced engineering materials. The availability of Polymaker’s PC materials on METHOD offers allows engineers to print polycarbonate parts that they previously had to outsource to more expensive industrial 3D printers,” said Johan-Till Broer, VP of Product Development, MakerBot. “We are seeing increased interest in industrial materials as engineers advance from simple prototyping to 3D printing end-use parts. We are thrilled that Polymaker has qualified its industrial range of PC materials for MakerBot LABS.”
The addition of Polymaker polycarbonate materials brings the MakerBot LABS for METHOD portfolio of materials to nine and the total number of materials available on the METHOD platform to 19. The newly qualified polycarbonate materials from Polymaker include:
• Polymaker PC-PBT: This polymer blend combines the good chemical resistance of PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) with the strength and toughness of polycarbonate. Compared to PC resins and PC-ABS compounds, PC-PBT offers better resistance to chemicals, which enables printed applications where resistance to intermittent contact with fuels, oils, lubricants, or cleaners is necessary. It performs well under extreme circumstances, whether in contact with hydrocarbon-based chemicals or operating at subzero temperatures. Polymaker PC-PBT is a specialty material that maintains good toughness and natural ductile fracture behavior at low temperatures.
• PolyMax PC-FR: A flame retardant (FR) polycarbonate material, PolyMax PC-FR meets the UL-94 V0 standard, an important fire safety specification. The material displays excellent toughness, strength, and heat resistance, making it ideal for applications within the automotive, railway, and aerospace industries.
• PolyLite PC: PolyLite PC is produced using a polycarbonate resin specifically engineered for 3D printing. This material demonstrates a high modulus, making it ideal for applications that require good stiffness and light diffusion, such as outdoor light housings. PolyLite PC is available in transparent color, showing good optical clarity, rendering parts with an attractive crystal shine.
To further strengthen PC parts, Polymaker recommends annealing them right after the printing process to release the residual internal stress. The combination of METHOD’s heated chamber and annealing feature is designed to enable users to produce strong, manufacturing-grade parts. Polymaker materials can be purchased on the Polymaker site.
The MakerBot LABS extruder enables users to print with a wide variety of third-party materials on METHOD as an open materials platform, expanding the possibilities of applications. MakerBot offers a wide range of industrial materials through MakerBot LABS, and is continuing to identify additional advanced materials for the platform. Partners in the MakerBot LABS Materials Development Program include BASF 3D Printing Solutions, Jabil, Kimya, LEHVOSS Group, Mitsubishi Chemical, and Polymaker.
For more information, visit www.makerbot.com/method.
July 8, 2020- On the first day of the TCT Asia exhibition in Shanghai, Polymaker and Covestro are jointly promoting their latest application - 3D printed fabric.
Covestro and Polymaker have been in partnership for years to promote high-performance 3D printing materials and to develop new 3D printing applications. This time, Covestro and Polymaker have jointly developed a new processing technology with the industry's top 3D printer manufacturers INTAMSYS and Raise3D to improve mass production and efficiency of 3D printed fabrics. The INTAMSYS FLEX 510 printer and Raise3D E2 printer are highly adapted for printing flexible materials which match the characteristics required for 3D printed fabric.
As 3D printing technology has been widely integrated into manufacturing, sport & leisure, medical and other fields. 3D printing is now offering new applications to the textile industry which offer both mass production alongside mass customization. 3D printing fabric may not only provide a more environmentally friendly solution, but also offers a new manufacturing method to the centuries old weaving process.
The 3D printed fabric jointly developed by Covestro and Polymaker takes a new approach to fabric manufacture by utilizing 3D printing to create a 2D fabric. This has more practical value other than waste reduction and can create patterns and style with use of computer algorithms. The 2D fabrics are then integrated into the existing workflow to create a customized 3D object such as: hats, shoes, bags, scarves, gloves and other clothing accessories.
Compared with traditional fabrics, 3D printing fabrics have many advantages, such as:
- Flexible production process with both mass production and customized production
Taking the production of 3D printed shoe uppers as an example, a complete upper could be printed in 30 minutes. A single 3D printer could produce 48 uppers 24 hours a day. And due to the characteristics of 3D printing technology, the design of each shoe upper produced in theory can be completely different. So, 30 devices could produce more than 10,000 fully customized uppers in a week.
Customization and mass production of 3D printed fabrics could go hand in hand for the first time.
- Unique textures and patterns
Relying on 3D printing technology, it is possible to make textures and patterns that are difficult to produce with traditional production methods, such as moiré, shape changes, and density gradient effects.
For this unique advantage, Polymaker has developed a software for the designing and slicing of 3D printing fabric.
- Digital design and automated production
The design of the 3D printed fabric can be fully digitized. Using the software developed by Polymaker, design styles such as shape change, density gradient, and random lines can be achieved through algorithms. While the design freedom is greatly improved, 3D printing technology can also be able to produce these complex styles.
The production process of 3D printing fabrics can all be handed over to 3D printers to achieve 24-hour automated production, without human intervention in the printing production process.
- Programmable property
In order to meet different elasticity, strength, and hardness requirements, in addition to the performance of the material itself, the texture design and printing method of the fabric also have a critical impact. Polymaker and Covestro have explored and developed valuable methods and experience in this regard using algorithms to generate organic texture where strength is needed while allowing more breathability in areas of less stress. This allows designers to optimize their fabric and create tailored 2D patterns in the most lightweight and efficient way, in high-stress applications such as the printing of running shoe patterns this advantage becomes obvious, where lower stress fabrics can make use of the aesthetic advantages.
In the selection of materials for the development of 3D printing fabrics, Polymaker cooperated with Covestro to select from the many varieties of TPU for 3D printing development. TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethanes) is a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, which has a wide range of hardness, wear resistance, oil resistance, transparency, and good elasticity. It is widely used in daily necessities, sports goods, toys, decorative materials and other fields in traditional manufacture.
Covestro TPU materials are rich in variety and performance. In response to different elasticity, strength and hardness requirements, Polymaker selected the corresponding TPU raw materials, formulated the 3D printing technology modulation formula, and developed 3D printing materials. The 3D printing fabrics released this time include 90A and 95A, two hardness materials.
- Integrated design and production to reduce waste in the production process
Facing the important global issue of environmental protection, 3D printing may better reflect its advantages. The integrated design of 3D printing could reduce the waste in the production process, and even target zero waste. In addition, in the production process of 3D printing, no water is used, no water is wasted, and water is not polluted. Compared with traditional production methods, the advantages of environmental protection could be significant.
Polymaker and Covestro have joined forces to vigorously promote the application of 3D printing in the textile industry and help the transformation and upgrading of 3D printed fabrics from artwork to industrialization.
Covestro Business Development & Partnering APAC Yvonne Wang (left) and Polymaker VP Hang Qu (right)
CEO of INTAMSYS Charles Han (middle), Polymaker VP Hang Qu (right) and Polymaker Strategic Business Development department senior manager Raymond Huang (left)
CEO of Raise3D Edward Feng (left) and Polymaker VP Hang Qu (right)
About Polymaker
Polymaker is a high-tech company specializing in 3D printing materials. It is committed to promoting 3D printing technology in various industries with leading technology, high-quality products and meticulous service. Polymaker products are widely used in automotive, aerospace, industrial manufacturing, medical, consumer and other fields by customers around the world.
About Covestro
With 2019 sales of EUR 12.4 billion, Covestro is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, construction, wood processing and furniture, and electrical and electronics industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. Covestro has 30 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 17,200 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) at the end of 2019.
SHANGHAI March 6th – Polymaker, the global leader in 3D printing filaments today announced their partnership with Thought3D, producers of Magigoo 3D printing smart adhesives. Polymaker are now recommending Magigoo by adding their PC Smart Adhesive to polycarbonate product information sheets. PC Smart Adhesive aids bed adhesion and streamlines production workflow when printing with Polycarbonate based materials.
Polycarbonates offer some of the best mechanical characteristics of any 3D printing polymer, particularly when it comes to impact resistance. They have traditionally been popular among the automotive industry, applied in high vibration environments but have also gained traction across many other industries, notably Aerospace, Medical, Robotics and functional prototyping.
Polycarbonates can operate in temperatures well over 100°C but they also require high printing temperatures and warm environments, for larger parts bed adhesion is critical to the success rate of a polycarbonate 3D print. Thought3D have developed a special formula dedicated for polycarbonate bed adhesion. Using their smart adhesion technology, the PC formula adheres to printed parts locking them to the heated bed while also easily releasing at cold temperatures.
“There are other techniques for ensuring a good adhesion for PC parts, however, none of them work as seamlessly as Magigoo. The way in which printed parts release once the bed has cooled down is, for me, the best aspect of this product. For large PC prints, Magigoo will save the heart ache of wrenching away at your 3D printer to retrieve your PC part. Users printing PC regularly will understand the value immediately.” - Luke Taylor, Marketing Manager, Polymaker
In continuation with the Printer Manufacturer Partnership Program (PMPP) announced last year, Polymaker is continuing to deliver on its mission of bringing 3D printing to main-stream manufacturing. Functional and small-scale manufacturing relies on repeatable solutions that are achieved through interplay between machines and materials. Magigoo smart adhesives deliver a hassle-free interface between the printed object and machine raising the production efficiency for professional additive manufacturing.
With more industries adopting 3D printing, the specialisation of material, machine and process has become more focused. Thought3D has formulated new solutions to common sticking and warping problems for large format 3D printers dedicated to industrial plastics like Polypropylene, Polycarbonate and Nylons.
The new specialty mixes bring the convenience to industrial users. Adhesives are easily applied, require no change to the levelling of the 3D printing bed. They stick when hot and provide easy release when cooled down. The big difference a user will notice is the ease of cleaning the layer of Magigoo. In essence, new industrial mixes will provide same or better adhesion than alternatives and provide convenience and reliable use.
“We are really excited to work with Polymaker and their highly professional team. We have spent significant time cross referencing each other’s materials to provide highest value to end users. We love Polymaker filaments and are sure that this collaboration will benefit end-users and strengthen positions of both companies making the offering complete. We hope to provide a solution to any presently used and future filament. It is a win-win-win combination for all.” says Andrei-Andy Linnas, co-founder of Thought3D.
About Polymaker – Polymaker is a company dedicated to developing new and functional materials for the 3D printing industry. Since 2013 Polymaker has developed unique in-house technologies that optimize their materials for 3D printing. In 2017 Polymaker won two major awards: “Material Company of The Year” from 3D Printing Industry and “Technology Innovation Award – Materials” from TCT. This marked the company’s growing reputation which is now widely recognized at a global scale. Headquartered in Shanghai, China, Polymaker also has global offices in the USA, Netherlands and Japan. With their state-of-the-art research and development center, Polymaker place focus on pioneering development of engineering grade materials for applications across many industries.
About Thought3D - Thought3D is a R&D startup based in Malta. In 2014 the company experienced the first layer adhesion problem first hand and came up with a novel smart adhesive, that sticks when hot and releases when cold. Today, Thought3D produces and sells Magigoo and Magigoo PRO adhesives worldwide through a network of resellers and industry partners. Thought3D aims to provide superior user experience in 3D printing by solving the adhesion problem of FDM/FFF filaments.
Lulzbot has just released their PolyCast™ bundles alongside a comprehensive guide for turning your 3D printed parts into metal parts. This tutorial shows the workflow from CAD to metal part using PolyCast™ 3D printing filament with Ash-Free™ technology. The unique properties of PolyCast™ allow for a very clean burn out when curing ceramic molds during the investment casting process. This leaves a very clean surface on the inside of the ceramic mold which is perfect for metal casting. Ash-Free™ technology typically leaves an ash residue of 0.003%. The Lulzbot Taz 6 has a very large build volume capable of producing very large patterns for investment metal casting. Paired with their wide range of interchangeable tool heads, PolyCast™ patterns can be printed extremely fast with their MOARstruder (1.2mm nozzle) or users can achieve incredible detail suitable for jewelry with their new Aerostruder V2 Micro (0.25mm nozzle) and everything in between.
"3D printing patterns for investment casting is increasingly becoming the go-to solution for artisans, engineers, and industrial professionals alike. With LulzBot 3D Printers and PolyCast™, users are able to test designs, iterate faster, and quickly produce short runs while reducing expensive tooling and long lead times. At a fraction of the cost of most additive manufacturing investment casting solutions, LulzBot 3D Printers enable companies of all sizes to speed innovation while reducing costs." - Lulzbot
Read their full article here: https://www.lulzbot.com/learn/tutorials/3d-print-patterns-investment-casting
Polymaker join the Ultimaker Material Alliance Program adding three engineering materials to the Ultimaker Workplace
SHANGHAI, 21st February 2019 – Polymaker, producer of advanced 3D printing materials, today announced during TCT Asia in Shanghai that they will join the Ultimaker Material Alliance Program. Polymaker will add three engineering filaments to the Cura workplace offering Polymaker material solutions to Ultimaker users.
Dr. Xiaofan Luo, President, Polymaker: “FFF 3D printing remains the most practical and accessible one of all 3D printing technologies. The 3 materials we offer via the Ultimaker Marketplace, including PolyMide™ PA6-CF, PolyMide™ CoPA and PolyCast™, are among the most unique and advanced materials in our portfolio. I believe they will open up countless new applications for a greater number of engineers."
In order to accelerate the synergy between 3D printing material and machine, Polymaker have added three advanced materials from their portfolio to the Cura workplace. This will increase the printing quality and repeatability of parts as all print profiles are stored on Cura. Users will simply select the material profile and start a print in a matter of seconds. Polymaker have started by adding PolyMide™ CoPA, PolyCast™ & PolyMide™ PA6-CF to the alliance program introducing 3 unique materials with engineering applications across a number of industries.
Jos Burger, CEO at Ultimaker: “The growing importance of 3D printing gives us—as a leader in desktop 3D printing—an important role in ensuring a perfect collaboration between hardware, software and materials. By offering material profiles directly to millions of end users via the Ultimaker Marketplace, we unlock new 3D printing applications for different industries. Polymaker is a well-respected material company, offering unique material properties that are relevant for engineers working in a wide diversity of industries. I am proud to recognize their commitment to the Ultimaker Material Alliance during TCT ASIA.”
PolyMide™ CoPA
PolyMide™ CoPA is a co-polymer polyamide (Nylon) filament which combines the high heat deflection of Nylon 6.6 with the stiffness and impact toughness of Nylon 6. Together they produce a well-rounded Nylon filament with a heat resistance of 180°C and a high tensile strength and process ability. PolyMide™ CoPA also features Polymaker’s Warp-Free™ technology, which allows the polymers to crystallise extremely slowly allowing any internal stresses that are caused by printing to be relaxed. This produces a nylon filament which prints with near zero warp on an open bed printer. Furthermore, Warp-Free™ technology allows crystals to form across layers producing isotropic strength on the Z-axis. Formerly, nylon filaments have required enclosed heated chambers, high nozzle temperatures and were generally limited to small printed parts. PolyMide™ CoPA with Warp-Free™ technology releases the constraints previously supressing nylon, allowing engineers more freedom in the design and production of functional 3D printed parts.
PolyCast™
PolyCast™ is a unique 3D printing filament designed specifically for investment metal casting. PolyCast™ completely removes any tooling from the traditional investment moulding process, by replacing wax patterns with 3D printed patterns. Using Polymaker’s Ash Free™ technology PolyCast™ prints can be burned away very cleaning, typically leaving an ash residue of 0.003%. This allows for investment moulds to be cast around 3D printed parts which can then in turn be used to create metal parts suitable for production. PolyCast™ allows for rapid design iteration and is unconstrained by large production volumes as the expensive and time-consuming tooling process is eliminated. Furthermore, investment casting foundries are able to test complex geometrical shapes which are unachievable via injection moulding without diverting from their current casting process.
PolyMide™ PA6-CF
PolyMide™ PA6-CF is a nylon 6 filament with carbon fibre reinforcement, displaying high heat deflection paired with superior stiffness and toughness. PolyMide™ PA6-CF is perfect for practical applications involving high vibration environments where toughness and heat deflection are required. Polymaker have optimised the carbon fiber surface chemistry so that the fibers integrate perfectly within the polyamide matrix. This results in not only a greater adhesion between polymer and fiber but translates into a greater layer adhesion between printed layers. This breakthrough technology has not been witnessed before as fibers generally add stiffness only on the X-Y axis while degrading the Z axis strength. PolyMide™ PA6-CF displays an increased inter layer adhesion creating printed parts that are 30% stronger in tensile strength along the Z axis. Polymaker have jumped the final hurdle inhibiting fiber reinforced filaments, furthermore, PolyMide™ PA6-CF actually improves the layer bond on the Z axis. Paired with Warp-Free™ technology, PolyMide™ PA6-CF demonstrates itself as an engineering material with properties that outperform almost every other filament.
About Polymaker
Polymaker is a company dedicated to developing new and functional materials for the 3D printing industry. Since 2013 Polymaker has developed unique in-house technologies that optimize their materials for 3D printing. In 2017 Polymaker won two major awards: “Material Company of The Year” from 3D Printing Industry and “Technology Innovation Award – Materials” from TCT. This marked the company’s growing reputation which is now widely recognized at a global scale. Headquartered in Shanghai, China, Polymaker also has global offices in the USA, Netherlands and Japan. With their state-of-the-art research and development center, Polymaker place focus on pioneering development of engineering grade materials for applications across many industries.
About Ultimaker
Since 2011, Ultimaker has built an open and easy-to-use solution of 3D printers, software, and materials that enable professional designers and engineers to innovate every day. Today, Ultimaker is the market leader in desktop 3D printing. From offices in the Netherlands, New York, Boston, and Singapore – plus production facilities in Europe and the US – its global team of over 400 employees work together to accelerate the world’s transition to local, digital manufacturing. ultimaker.com
