Smart Molding International 1-2020

10 newsfeed smart_molding interna ti onal 1/2020 The University of Exeter, in collabora ti on with Vic- trex, has completed com- missioning of the new EOS P 810, laser sintering pla tf orm for high temper- ature polymers. The stra- tegic arrangement aims to introduce next-genera ti on VICTREX™ PAEK polymers and composites while im- proving the performance of the underlying AM processes. Investment in the new state-of-the-art equipment, and its com- missioning, are expected to accelerate the commercial- iza ti on of AM materials for high-performance parts. The Centre for Additive LayerManufacturing (CALM) at Exeter is one of the fi rst to commission the recently launched equipment. “We can now further our re- search by u ti lizing the next genera ti on of high tempera- ture systems, the EOS P 810,” explains Professor Oana Gh- ita, the lead of CALM at the University of Exeter. “The new equipment allows us to link the fundamental re- search with the commercial manufacturing process, to optimize the ma- terials and their applica ti on, while accoun ti ng for the new thermal, op ti - cal and mechani- cal upgrades and providing us with accurate insights into the detailed dynamics of laser sintering.” The new EOS P 810 is capable of prin ti ng with materials that have mel ti ng temperatures around 300°C and par ti cu- larly suitable for the new low-melting-point PAEK polymers (PAEK or Polyaryle- therketone is the name of a family of high-performance thermoplastics including Polyetheretherketones such as VICTREX™ PEEK), designed and op ti mized by Victrex speci fi cally for AM. The work invested in this produc ti on-ready machine, which has a build volume of 700x380x380mm and two 70-watt lasers, is aimed at ensuring that future demand for large-scale parts will be readily met by the market as the pla tf orm is rolled out across the supply chain. Victrex Director of Innova- ti on, Ian Smith, added “This is an exciting milestone in our collaboration with the University of Exeter, which we announced in 2018, cre- a ti ng an e ff ec ti ve eco-system to accelerate the commer- cializa ti on of AM materials for performance parts to meet customer needs.” Victrex www.victrex.com Specialty chemicals com- pany LANXESS is offering the next genera ti on of Low Free (LF) isocyanate ure- thane prepolymers that can be formulated into resins for 3D printing (additive manufacturing). In order to create such resins LANXESS works together with 3D prin ti ng companies. Based on Adiprene LF pPDI (para- phenylene diisocyanate) prepolymers, these high performance resins are easy to process and safe for industrial manufacturers as well as for the casual home, o ffi ce or retail user. The footwear industry is a key user of 3D printing technology for midsole, upper, and structural com- ponents such as heels and toes. Footwear c ompon e n t s are designed t o r e q u i r e both very soft and more rigid elastomers. The wide flexibility to formulate LF prepolymers into printable resins en- ables 3D printers to drive toward mass customiza ti on, enabling printing across a wide range of hardness from very soft elastomers for cushioning to the more structural shoe elements. High fl exural strength and a wide range of use-temper- atures are important to the performance of these com- ponents. Adiprene LF pPDI prepolymers are designed to provide superior resistance to low and high tempera- tures, excellent toughness, and superior resistance to chemicals andabrasion.With excellent property reten ti on up to 6 weeks at 150 °C, ath- le ti c shoes, for example, can be stored in a hot car for long ti me periods without losses. In addition, footwear components benefit from higher flexural fa ti gue resistance and cold temperature fl ex performance down to - 20 °C. LANXESS offers urethane prepoly- mers for 3D printing with other chemistries, including LF MDI and LF HDI. These elastomers provide unique performance, such as op ti - cal clarity, UV and hydroly ti c stability for outdoor uses, and the elimina ti on of sur- face imperfec ti ons. LANXESS lanxess.com New materials being optimized for the latest sintering platform Adiprene prepolymers offer new possibilities in 3D printing