At this year's Frankfurt Formnext exhibition, BASF's subsidiary (B3DPS) exhibited a series of new products of photopolymerization molding and laser sintering 3D printing technology. In addition, B3DPS also reached a number of cooperation agreements on 3D printing technology and product development and distribution during the exhibition.
BASF's 3D printed wires are mainly divided into two categories. One is the Innofil 3D wire made of general-purpose polymers, which is mainly suitable for traditional applications, and the other is Ultrafuse wires, which are used in high-tech applications. BASF wire has the widest variety in the market and can meet customer needs from prototyping to industrial production.
New products on display include:
New 3D printing material with fire classification
The new fire-resistant Ultrasint Polyamide PA6 Black FR material complies with the UL94 V2 fire protection standard and is suitable for selective laser sintering technology (SLS). The parts produced with this material meet the fire protection requirements of vehicles.
This spring, BASF launched the Ultrasint Grey PA6 LM X085, and this time BASF launched another new product Ultrasint PA6 Black LM X085 at the exhibition. This product uses polyamide 6 that can be processed between 175 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for most current selective laser sintering (SLS) printers.
BASF's new polypropylene products
Since the acquisition of Advanc3D Materials GmbH in 2018, B3DPS's product lineup has added several materials suitable for laser sintering models, including polyamide Adsint PA12, Adsint PA11, Adsint PA11CF and Adsint TPU flex 90.
Ultrasint PP is the most prominent. It is mainly made of polypropylene. It has good mechanical properties and is widely used in standardized industrial production with high cost performance. The most significant characteristics of Ultrasint PP are high plasticity, low moisture absorption, corrosion and gasification by liquids. The material is currently available for printing prototypes and small batches. After printing, thermoforming, sealing, and dyeing can be performed.
Cooperation:
B3DPS has reached an agreement with American company Origin to further promote photopolymerization molding printing in the future. "In an open business model, we combine BASF's experience in materials with Origin's expertise in print software drivers and related hardware manufacturing," said Volker Hammes, managing director of B3DPS. The new printing technology developed by Origin perfectly matches BASF's new Ultracur3D photopolymer material. This technology can not only provide higher standard printing surface and higher mechanical stability performance, but also mass production.
B3DPS is also working with 3D printer and supporting software and materials manufacturer Photocentric to develop new photopolymer materials and large-format photopolymer printers that can mass produce functional parts. Photocentric has developed and optimized automatic imaging LCD screens for its printing systems. The partners intend to provide a series of solutions to the field of industrial 3D printing, replacing some traditional manufacturing processes (such as injection of small parts) and printing of large parts.
In addition, B3DPS also reached a cooperation with Chinese manufacturer Xunshi Technology to continue to promote new exploration of BASF's Ultracur3D products in the application field.
B3DPS subsidiary Innofil3D has reached an agreement with Chinese manufacturer Jet-Mate Technology to distribute BASF plastic wire in China. At the same time, the division also reached an agreement with the US company M. Holland to distribute BASF wire in the United States.