BASF's 3D Printing Solution (B3DPS), a subsidiary of German chemical company BASF, is preparing to launch a series of new AM-related products, including new photopolymers and laser sintering materials, at Formnext 2018 in Frankfurt. The company also plans to announce Several new partnerships have been established, including Origin, Photocentric and Xunshi Technology (China).
New Technology New Alliance
First, let's look at the new partnerships that B3DPS has entered and their importance to additive manufacturing.
BASF works with Origin, a 3D printing company based in San Francisco, to advance the development of photopolymer printing processes. The two companies will combine their respective expertise in materials and 3D printing technology to create more complex photopolymer AM systems. At this stage of the partnership, Origin has developed a new 3D printing method that is optimized for BASF's newly launched Ultracur3D photopolymer, which provides high mechanical stability and overall material and good surface quality.
"In the framework of an open business model, we combine BASF's material expertise with Origin's expertise in printer software programming and corresponding hardware manufacturing," said Volker Hammes, managing director of B3DPS.
Materials Corporation's second partnership announced is Photocentric, another 3D printing company. They will jointly develop new photopolymer and large-format photopolymer 3D printers for mass production of functional components. Photocentric has operations in the United Kingdom and the United States, specializing in using LCD screens as image generators in its 3D printers. Previously, PHOTOCENTRIC launched the market's largest LCD 3D printer, LC MAXIMUS, with a molding of 700 x 893 x 510mm, consolidating its position as a leading innovator in this field.
B3DPS also collaborates with Chinese 3D printer manufacturer Xunshi Technology-it is also known in the United States by the same Sprintray. Through this alliance, these companies aim to create new applications for the B3DPS Ultracut3D material family.
Distribution Network Cooperation
In addition to the three new partnerships mentioned above, B3DPS also announced significant expansion of its distribution network. For example, B3DPS subsidiary Innofil3D has partnered with Tjanjin's Jet-Mate Technology to distribute plastic wires in China and M. Holland to distribute filaments in the United States.
"Since the United States is the largest wire market, we intend to strengthen our activities there," said Jeroen Wiggers, director of B3DPS's additive manufacturing business. "Asia is another important market for us. We will develop more distribution channels there and put our Ultrafuse wire in the Asian market in 2019."
Innofil3D filament
New material
For the SLS market, B3DPS has introduced a new flame retardant Ultrasint polyamide PA6 black FR material that meets UL94 V2 fire standards. This material has high stiffness and good thermal stability, and has been used to make new parts for vehicles that meet vehicle fire protection requirements. The project was carried out in collaboration with an unnamed "public transport leader".
"Together with our partners, we are currently producing prototypes, spare parts and small series components and are working to further improve flame retardancy to meet other certification specifications," Hammes said. The company also introduced the new Ultrasint PA6 Black LM X085 material for SLS as a successor to its Ultrasint Grey PA6 LM X085.
It's worth noting that B3DPS is using Ultrasint PP to add polypropylene to its 3D printing portfolio. This new material for laser sintering technology has excellent mechanical properties including plasticity, low hygroscopicity and resistance to liquids and gases. The material is suitable for the production of industrial prototypes and small batch parts, and is compatible with post-processing processes such as thermoforming, sealing and dyeing.
Since BASF acquired Advanc3D materials in July 2018, B3DPS has also expanded its laser sintering materials by adding polyamides Adint PA12, Adsint PA11, Adsint PA11CF and Adsint TPU flex 90.
Finally, B3DPS grouped mature new photopolymers under the brand name Ultracur3D. "Our Ultracur3D product portfolio enables us to provide our customers with a variety of UV-curable materials for 3D printing, which have better mechanical properties and higher long-term stability than most available materials," B3DPS Advanced Business Development Manager András Marton said. "These materials were developed for functional components that are subject to high stress.