MATERIALS | 3D PRINTING


Right: Several Stratasys materials will be tested on a forthcoming lunar mission


final coat of matt black paint (taking around two weeks) to reduce light reflections in the simulator. Michael Ortmann, who is


responsible for design and development at Reiser, said the advantages of 3D extrusion printing included short time-to- market, high build speed, light- weight construction, functional integration and cost-effective manufacturing without the need for moulds. The process also controls distortion in


such large, complex components, ensuring tight tolerances of gap dimensions and high surface quality. Dimensional accuracy is important for screw fastenings and precise pinning.


Below: Grafe has developed a masterbatch to identify and authenticate materials in 3D printing


Lunar mission Materials developments are also critical to the future of 3D printing for manufacturing production – and will need to be tested rigorously in real world applications. Stratasys will provide 3D-printed materials to a forthcoming lunar mission to test their performance on the surface of the moon. The experiments are part of Aegis Aerospace’s first Space Science & Technology Evaluation Facility (SSTEF-1) mission. SSTEF is a commercial space testing service to provide R&D services on the lunar surface. The project focuses on technology development for space infrastructure and capabili- ties for the moon and near-earth space. The first experiment assesses the performance


of a sample part made with the company’s Antero 800NA FDM filament. Antero 800NA is a PEKK- based thermoplastic with good mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and low outgas- sing characteristics. The part will incorporate


tungsten, to provide shielding against radiation such as gamma rays or X rays. Ground testing suggests it could cut radiation exposure by a half. A second experiment will assess how 3D-printed materi- als perform in space. It will include Antero 840CN03 FDM filament, which has ESD properties. It will also include a new ESD photopoly- mer, made by Henkel, for use with Stratasys’ Origin One 3D printers – and


designed for high-heat environments. This


experiment will subject samples of the 3D-printed materials to moon dust, low pressure that can lead to outgassing, and rapid temperature swings. “These experiments will help us understand how to fully leverage 3D printing to keep people and equipment safe as we travel to the moon and beyond,” said Rich Garrity, chief industrial business officer at Stratasys. Parts will be taken to the lunar surface by an unmanned lander, which has a Stratasys 3D-printed carrier structure made from Ultem 9085 thermo- plastic, which is commonly used in commercial aircraft interiors.


Material additions Materialise has introduced three materials for industrial 3D printing.


It has added polyamide 12S (PA 12S) and polyamide 11 (PA 11) for multi jet fusion, and carbon fibre-reinforced polyamide (PA-CF) for fused deposition modelling (FDM). With the additions, Materialise now offers over 38 materials. “Our decision to incorporate PA 11, PA 12S and


PA-CF materials empowers customers to explore new possibilities and unlock the full potential of industrial 3D printing,” said Pieter Vos, marketing and product director at Materialise. Adding PA 11 for HP multi jet fusion addresses


growing demand for additive manufacturing in the medical technology sector. It offers biocompatibil- ity, durability, and flexibility, to enable products in orthotics and prosthetics, says the company. Polyamide 12S allows production of parts requiring good surface quality with minimal post-processing needs in areas such as consumer goods and industrial settings. PA-CF for FDM comprises a thermoplastic filament reinforced with 35% chopped carbon fibre by weight, for high flexural strength and stiffness-to-weight ratio. This allows it to replace metal components in industries such as industrial machinery, aerospace, and automotive.


36 INJECTION WORLD | July/August 2024 www.injectionworld.com


IMAGE: GRAFE


IMAGE: STRATASYS


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