The Pennsylvania State University has chosen a new FFF 3D Printer, ROBOZE One+400 Xtreme to explore new possibilities for AM of high-performance plastics.

The solution will be utilized by the Center for Innovative Materials Processing through Direct Digital Deposition (CIMP-3D). The center already comprises a wide range of AM systems, a design studio and a prototyping laboratory.

The 3D Printer has been unveiled two years ago at Formnext 2018 with the goal to enable the production of high performance parts used in extreme environments. What makes it different from others of the same range is its Beltless System that introduces a direct movement of the X and Y-axes, entrusted to hardened steel rack and pinions. Furthermore, the gear teeth ensure both the repeatability of the movements and their smoothness leading therefore to an accuracy equal to 0.4 mil/0,01mm.

“ The ability to use custom filaments and control the print processing was a critical factor in selecting ROBOZE. The flexibility allowed by ROBOZE along with its excellent printing capabilities is well aligned with the discovery-oriented research mission of the university to expand knowledge and its application”, explains Prof. Bryan D. Vogt from the Department of Chemical Engineering “Moverover, our prior 3D printer had issues printing high temperature engineering plastics like PEEK with severe deformation of the structure generally observed.  After challenges with printing PEEK with standard belt driven systems, the novel direct drive approach with the ROBOZE was an added bonus.”

During the last two years, the Italo-American manufacturer has successfully positioned itself in the composites 3D Printing market, a market that is gaining momentum and has convinced more than one in the industry.

In the department of Chemical Engineering of the university, the utilization of the 3D Printer has already been defined:

“ROBOZE One+400 Xtreme will be used to examine novel polymers to help to fundamentally understand the 3D printing process and as a tool to enable custom equipment more cost effectively than can be obtained with machining metals while also allowing for designs not possible with traditional manufacture” concludes Prof. Bryan D. Vogt. “The ROBOZE One+400 Xtreme will allow Penn State  to leverage its expertise in materials science, engineering and characterization to enable new solutions to problems through additive manufacturing.”

 

Remember, you can post free of charge job opportunities in the AM Industry on 3D ADEPT Media or look for a job via our job board. Make sure to follow us on our social networks and subscribe to our weekly newsletter : Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn & Instagram ! If you want to be featured in the next issue of our digital magazine or if you hear a story that needs to be heard, make sure to send it to contact@3dadept.com