Polymers

Additive manufacturing with plastics permits the production of virtually any type of part. Plastics are much lighter and cheaper than metals, although they are not as strong. Materials from almost any plastic group ranging from thermoplastics and thermoset plastics to thermoplastic elastomers – can be used for additive manufacturing. The FDM and SLS processes, in particular, make it possible to produce prototypes and small series parts that can be transferred to industrial applications in large-scale production runs. While the FDM process features the widest selection of materials, a robust process, and very large build envelopes, the SLS process provides parts with isotropic mechanical properties, having no need for support structures. It is also a cost-efficient process for producing parts in large numbers as well as small production runs. Additive manufacturing with plastics can produce specific items such as flexible TPU damping elements or motorbike covers made from high-strength, fiber-reinforced polyamide. The CLIP process represents a good solution when high surface quality and maximum strength is required. Here the parts are made from a thermoset plastic. This is done by drawing parts out of a resin in a process with a high bui ld-up rate. The PolyJet process allows parts to be made in full color and from transparent materials. Groundbreaking systems for multi-material processing have also been developed. They will create huge potential for functional integration and econimization.

We help you to find the right technology for your business and the right systems for your applications, guiding you through the entire process from the development of the desired material to the design and production stage. We are on hand with our expertise and our solutions, while also empowering you to realize your own ideas. For instance, we can train your employees and also help you to build up additive manufacturing expertise within your company.

Our Services:

• Printing services: SLS (PA12, PA6, PP, TPU) and FDM (ULTEM, ABS, PC, PETG, PA6, etc.)
• Consulting services: system comparisons, profitability analyses, feasibility studies
• Material development
• Employee training courses at the Additive Academy
• #On-demand production of spare parts: scanning, redesigning, printing

Our new approach of manufacturing threedimensional electronic components gives the opportunity to employ additional functions, such as electrical conductivity on the part surface. Therefore plastic parts are build in the SLS process which can be selectively metalized afterwards. Examples of component integration:

• PCB traces
• Sensor technology
• Heating systems
  
• Antennae
• Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)

Structures that are too big to fit within the build envelope of one single additive manufacturing system can be produced by first printing the individual plastic parts separately and then joining them together as an assembly group. This is how we were able to help Airbus to manufacture the first airworthy THOR (Testing High-tech Objectives in Reality) prototypes by designing the fuselage and manufacturing all printed parts.

• Dimensionally stable design for large structures
• Optimized production with efficient use of the build envelope and little distortion
• Joining by bonding and welding