The University of Exeter (UK) and Wiggs (Thornton Cliffs, UK) have entered a strategic partnership phase, introducing the next generation of polyaryletherketone (PAEK) polymers and composites, while Will improve performance in basic additive manufacturing (AM) processes. The field of aerospace and medical product manufacturing is expected to benefit from the initial stages of use.
The collaboration is driven by the R & D department of Vigers and the Additive Layer Manufacturing Center (CALM) of the University of Exeter, which is a leading manufacturer of excellence. The new alliance will focus on the development of multiple additive manufacturing technologies.
Professor Oana Ghita, head of the University of Exeter CALM, said: "We are excited to start this partnership and continue to develop high-performance materials and AM process technologies to meet today's and future needs and applications. New PAEK polymer-based Materials will provide designers and developers with the opportunity to use the best performing polymers in the AM process and help realize the dream of turning AM into a high-performance production tool. "
Victrex and CALM have started a partnership to develop Victrex PAEK polymers for various 3D printing processes. After making major improvements, Victrex recently announced new advanced PAEK products designed for AM manufacturing: high-strength materials for laser sintering, better Z strength than existing PAEK materials, and better filament fusion, Printable filament.
The potential benefits of PAEK polymers for AM manufacturing include:
Greater design freedom, engineers can apply its high performance in various industries
Higher-performance AM solutions that can customize and produce specialized PAEK components through highly complex production
Digital design and manufacturing of PAEK parts for rapid prototyping and rapid time to market
By reducing mechanical processing waste, increasing the printing rate of powder bed smelting and increasing the material utilization rate of filament smelting, the economic benefits are improved.
Victrex said that in the aerospace sector, the use of PAEK / PEEK in AM has made it possible to implement new designs and integrate individual design parts. At the same time, it can produce parts that are difficult to machine.
CALM specializes in additive manufacturing for high temperature and high performance polymers and composites. The center provides independent research and technical support, and collaborates with the international academic and industrial communities to develop next-generation engineering AM materials.