3D printing is ubiquitous, but 3D printing of silicone parts has been a major difficulty. However, the 3D printing process developed by WACKER has enabled silicone to achieve industrial-scale 3D printing. What the hell does this happen?
According to Robert Gnann, head of WACKER's Silicone Business Unit, WACKER has developed a drop-on-demand method, in which the printer head deposits tiny silicone droplets on a substrate to manufacture parts layer by layer.
“The silicone material formula is designed so that the droplets fuse together before the curing process (triggered by UV light) begins. The droplets and layers form a uniform part, which is not much different from the injection molded part. With the help of water-soluble support materials, Form overhanging materials and internal lattices. "Robert Gnann added.
At present, additive manufacturing is growing rapidly in the medical field. Biological simulation and custom structures have excellent development prospects. "In these applications, silicones can better demonstrate their beneficial properties. Silicone materials are heat-resistant, soft, transparent at low temperatures, and biocompatible. They can also be dyed in various colors and have good damping properties "Emphasized Robert Gnann.
Textile sensor made from ultra-thin silicone film
Three years ago, at K 2013, WACKER launched the ELASTOSIL film for the first time. At K 2016 this year, WACKER exhibited its specific applications focusing on new textile sensors. This application takes advantage of the electroactive properties of silicone, and an ultra-thin, high-precision thin film is embedded between two electrodes made of carbon black-filled conductive silicone.
These thin layers are combined to form a soft capacitor that can store charge. If a silicone capacitor is mechanically deformed, for example due to tensile or compressive motion, its capacitance will also change. The nuances of these changes can be measured for sensing purposes, such as visualizing the movement of objects.
ELASTOSIL films are manufactured under clean room conditions without the use of solvents. Using WACKER's patented production process, extremely thin defect-free silicone films can be made with thicknesses between 20 and 400 microns. Within the entire width and length of the film web, the maximum deviation between the thickness and the technical indicators is ± 5%.
The use of silicone films can develop and implement innovative sensors and actuators for robotics, medical technology, and daily necessities. Applications range from pumps, switches, relays, diaphragms, to motion sensors in the textile industry.