3D PRINTING | INNOVATION
From HP’s Multi Jet Fusion printers to the STEP technology that Stratasys says can match injection moulding costs and volumes, 3D printing is making waves in plastics production. By Peter Mapleston
3D printing breakthroughs show production promise
3D printing (3DP) is catching on quickly around the world, with options in equipment and materials increasing at an astounding pace. According to the Wohlers Report, which is
generally considered the data bible on such things, average annual growth over the last seven years has been over 28%. The technology – or rather technologies, since there are many ways to print three dimensional parts – is expanding out of its niche as a prototyping tool and into production of functional parts. In 2016, final parts production made up over 60% of the 3DP market, according to Wohlers. In the future, 3DP will also be used for production of parts that require much higher mechanical properties. In May, the umbrella association for plastics
converters in Europe, EuPC, published a Vision Paper on 3DP and how it will shape the future of the plastics converting industry. 3DP can be done with a vast number of different materials (plastics, metals, glass, even food), but plastics are by far the most important material. In 2016, over 84% of materials sold for 3DP were polymers (according to Wohlers). “3DP offers huge possibilities and should be embraced as an opportunity to grow the business of plastics converters in Europe,” says EuPC. EuPC identified four general focus areas:
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medical technology (including Implants, single-use operation aids, and treatment fixtures); mainte- nance and repair of machines and installations (spare parts, in-situ printing for temporarily solutions, etc); personalised consumer products; industrial fixtures and attachments for equipment such as robot arm grippers. In theory, any product that can be made by injection moulding, blow moulding, extrusion or thermal forming can be 3D printed. The relevant questions to assess the use of 3DP, EuPC says, are: 1. Can 3DP offer advantages in comparison to other converting processes, e.g. improve the functionality of the part or faster/cheaper production?
2. Are the functional properties identical or at least acceptable for the application?
3. Are the aesthetical properties identical or at least acceptable for the application?
4. Is it economically feasible? 5. Is it logistically feasible? “At this moment, 3DP technology should not be seen as a threat to the majority of plastics convert- ers,” says EuPC. “In some specific areas, there will be some substitutions but in series production of substantial volumes there is still low economic feasibility. 3DP generally provides chances to cover
June 2018 | INJECTION WORLD 15
Main image: HP is working with more than 50 companies on its Open Materials Platform
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