Since the launch of its 5AX FDM-based 3D printing system, VSHAPER, the Polish manufacturer of FDM 3D Printers has been working on the development of new solutions for the industry: a support material and a software.
A support material for PEEK and other 3D Printing materials
Despite the advancements in materials science, some materials cannot be processed on their own in an additive manufacturing process. That is the case for instance of the material PEEK.
Very coveted in industrial applications, the high-performance, temperature-resistant semi-crystalline polymer requires specific printing parameters to avoid high internal stresses, warping, delamination or even deformation.
“These parameters can directly affect the final crystallinity and mechanical properties such as tensile strength and modulus of elasticity. 3D printing with temperature control is of great importance in the design, setting and implementation of different degrees of crystallinity and mechanical properties for different parts of PEEK, even in different regions of the same piece”, VSHAPER explains.
To prevent these issues, the Polish manufacturer has launched a support material soluble in an alkaline aqueous solution. Named filament FS11, the support material allows for a strong adhesion to model materials – therefore prevents its delamination.
“The type of support material and the method of its removal is also of great importance for another reason. It is common to provide an air gap between the last support layer and the first layer of the model to facilitate mechanical removal of the support skeleton and avoid damage to the model. It allows to reduce the adhesion of both surfaces but requires some knowledge and additional work of the 3d printing engineer. This procedure is not necessary for soluble support materials”, the company states.
As far as FS11 is concerned, it should be noted that the material dissolves in a mild alkaline solution and can be removed directly via the sewage system.
The good news is, in addition to PEEK, the support material can also be used during a fabrication process that includes PA, PC, ABS / PC, TPE, ASA, ABS or PET materials.
A software solution for industrial 3D Printers and low-cost 3D Printers
Next to its support material, VSHAPER also launches Softshaper. The solution has been developed with Individual modification of individual or groups of layers in mind.
Due to the fact that most applications that control the printing process modify the parameters of filling, supports or contours only for the entire model, VSHAPER has developed a solution which alters specific features of the model only in areas where it is necessary.
“This approach enables you to save time and material while significantly increasing the strength of the print and obtaining the required technological features”, explains the company.
Its advanced functions allow for further customization of the printing process on the one hand, on the other hand, enable a dynamic control of cooling and printing speed.
“The printing process is a technological process which is mainly influenced by thermal phenomena occurring in the extruded material. Depending on the model geometry and the trajectory generated by the printhead movement, heat nodes in the form of small geometry may appear on the model. That is why the user needs to have full control over the technological process. The SoftShaper application allows you to customize these parameters by automatically adapting the speed and cooling values on the model. It enables specifying places requiring increased or reduced cooling of the printed layers. This feature significantly improves the quality of printed models and the degree of detail offprint” comments VSHAPER.
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