Goals include new materials for durable fiber reinforcement using stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP), printing and post-processing technologies.
Henkel (Dusseldorf, Germany) collaborated on a research and development project called Sympa, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF; Bonn) and the Federal Republic of Austria by the Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT; Vienna). The German and Austrian Project Alliance aims to develop new materials, printing methods and post-processing technologies for durable stereolithography (SLA) products using digital light processing (DLP), with a focus on automotive applications. SYMPA started at the end of 2018 and involves five partners, bringing different expertise to the entire value chain of SLA technology.
Project partners believe that SLA technology has great potential to produce custom parts and products specifically designed for customer needs, especially in the automotive industry. Therefore, Sympa aims to overcome some of the weaknesses of current SLA materials, such as low mechanical properties, low durability, and low UV stability. Innovative goals include the development of new photopolymers with increased long-term thermal and mechanical properties, polymer fiber reinforcement and surface modification technologies to further enhance product environmental resistance. Taking into account the requirements of industrial production processes, all developed technologies will be demonstrated based on real automotive parts.
SYMPA is coordinated by the Aircraft Design Institute (IFB) of the University of Stuttgart and its partners include:
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA has developed high-performance photopolymers with improved mechanical and thermal durability of SLA technology;
Aircraft Design Institute (IFB; Stuttgart, Germany) brings the background of lightweight structures and composite materials applications, including fiber-reinforced SLA materials, which can greatly improve mechanical properties and fatigue limits;
Rapid ShaPE GmbH (Heimsheim, Germany) provides high-speed open 3D printing systems that can be expanded with different processes to meet various materials or customer requirements and environmental conditions;
Joanneum Research and INOCON Technologie GmbH specialize in the development and application of coating and activated plasma technologies such as deposition, post-treatment and surface modification for better mechanical and environmental resistance, controlled wetting and polymer conductivity And cirp GmbH (Heimsheim, Germany) is an experienced 3D printing service provider that can perform technical demonstrations on real car structures and improve the design process of SLA components.
SYMPA has been established for three years until the end of 2021, so the SLA toolbox is the initial stage of a tailor-made 3D printing solution for the automotive industry.