Evonik, Germany's leading chemical company, has announced a partnership with Evolve Additives to develop thermoplastic materials for Evolve's selective thermoplastic electrophotographic (STEP) 3D printing technology.
Steve Chillscyzn, CEO of Evolve Additives, said: "Since STEP technology has been developed for mass production, our ability to provide our customers with the widest range of thermoplastic materials is a key factor in production. The cooperation agreement with Evonik enables us to expand STEP technology-based The range of materials, including the additive materials currently approved by the OEM. What's more important is that we have launched a new set of materials, which are more widely used, which can increase the advantages for each additive order.
Improved thermoplastics for 3D printing
Since its establishment in 2007, Evonik has produced a range of specialty polymer powders such as PEBA and PEEK. The company is also known for its powder called VESTOSINT in its polyamide 12 (PA 12) series, which can be customized for SLS, HSS (High Speed Sintering) and Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing. The initial collaboration with Evolve will focus on PA 12 and PEBA polymers.
PA 12 protects against chemicals and water, is rugged, resistant to stress, fatigue cracks, and durable in the temperature range of -40 ° C to 90 ° C. Due to its strong mechanical and chemical properties, the material is used in automobiles, lightweight designs, and oil and gas pipelines.
Recently, the company announced the closure of its Witten plant in favor of a new 400 million euro plant that can be used to produce PA12. Earlier this year, Evonik also acquired Austin-based startup Structured Polymers, a non-ferrous powder company that produces SLS, and Evonik has been improving its additive materials products.
Thomas Grosse-Puppendahl, Head of Evonik's Additive Manufacturing Innovation Growth Area, added: "Evolve's new technological approach will allow us to expand the range of applications for our high-performance materials, which are produced through unique production processes. We With more than 20 years of experience in 3D printing, we will also develop a wider range of custom material formulations to unlock the full potential of STEP technology. "
Taking STEP beyond Alpha test development
Evolve Additives is an OEM that started production in the Stratasys R & D laboratory. It officially separated from the company in 2017 and developed STEP technology. This is a new high-speed plastic 3D printing process that is said to be 50 times faster than the next-generation fastest AM plastic technology.
STEP is based on the proprietary technology behind most copiers and laser printers. It was developed for the rapid processing of thermoplastic materials, is isotropic in three dimensions, and has a surface finish comparable to traditional methods. In recent years, Evolve has focused on the commercialization and industrial application of STEP technology.
In September 2018, the company received a $ 19 million investment to help the company launch a beta version of its STEP 3D printer, and then announced in November a partnership with Kodak to develop Evolve's 3D printing in 2020 Technical and commercial release.
Currently, STEP is still in the alpha test development stage and is expected to be ready for the market by the end of 2020.