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FUJI XEROX
AND 3D
SYSTEMS…
LATEST DEVELOPMENT ON
3D PRINTING MATERIALS
In November, 3D Systems released new
materials for the ProJet MJP2500 and ProX500
(SLS) 3D printers.
The MultiJet Printing (MJP) 2500 prints precise
plastic parts that are ideal for a broad range
of applications such as rapid tooling, jigs and
fixtures, concept models, form and fit testing,
functional prototypes and medical applications
requiring USP Class VI and ISO 10993 medical
certification.
The MJP 2500 gives high accuracy prints, fast
print speed and repeatable results. It provides
true to CAD part quality and precision prints
with minimal hands on support post-processing.
With these features, the MJP2500 has
become a leading 3D printer allowing manufacturers
to prototype for design validation,
performance testing and design intent.
3D Systems has expanded the range of MJP
materials to give new properties and different
colours. There are four rigid grades, two new
engineering grades, and two elastomeric
grades.
The clear, black, and white rigid materials have
been reformulated to improve mechanical
properties and heat deflection temperature
(HDT). They have improved tensile properties,
impact strength and offer stiff, high modulus.
The VisiJet black has a higher HDT than
the other materials allowing it to be used in
temperatures of 53°C under load. Rigid grey
(M2R-GRY) with its primer grey finish, allows for
exceptional detail viewing. One unique benefit
of this material is that parts are ready to paint
straight after post processing with no additional
prep work. It also has USP Level VI and ISO
10993 medical certification.
There is now flame retardant Nylon 12 which
passes FAR 24.853 testing. This material is
enabling airlines to think differently about interior
cabin design reducing fuel costs with weight
optimised parts and eliminating specialised tooling
and the need to stock extra spare parts.
Also new is an aluminium filled Nylon 12 powder
for the ProX500 system. Still classed as a plastic,
this material offers parts with lightweight, high
rigidity, and aesthetic metallic surface finish. Ideal
for housings, wind-tunnel testing and automotive
detail where the metallic finish is required.
Finally, DuraForm EX black (Nylon 11) is new to the
SLS range. Nylon 11 is a fine bioplastic polyamide
powder made from renewable raw materials
derived from vegetable oil, mainly castor oil. EX
black, as its name describes, offers uniformly
black colour throughout parts which resist fading
and staining. It has outstanding durability and
excellent impact resistance. It is much more
fatigue resistant than Nylon 12 for applications
like living hinges requiring hundreds of open-close
cycles. This makes the material well suited for
mechanically loaded functional parts.
All the new developments above show the
continual improvement of materials that additive
manufacturing has on offer and that Fuji Xerox and
3D Systems is committed to the manufacturing of
the future. Parts must be able to interact with their
environment and hence need properties specific
to their design intent. Material properties enable
end-use applications, that should encourage
New Zealand companies to see where additive
manufacturing fits in their business and future
development strategies.
Fuji Xerox New Zealand is the exclusive distributor
partner of 3D Systems technology.
A new class of MJP materials called the
'Engineering Plastics' range was introduced.
VisiJet Armor (M2G-CL) is the new tough,
impact-resistant, ABS-like material. It has ABS-like
snap and drilling characteristics offering superior
mechanical performance great for functional
testing. Suitable for snap fits and impact testing,
it has mid-low tensile and modulus, but high
elongation and impact strength. The material
appearance is clear and can quickly be coloured
with fabric dyes.
VisiJet ProFlex (M2G-DUR) durable, polypropylene
like, high impact material. ProFlex has a
durable ‘bend, but don’t break’ characteristic. It
can print functional living hinges and is great for
applications that require deformable parts, such as
containers and assemblies with clip features.
NEW PLASTIC MATERIALS
Selective laser sintering (SLS) additive technology
offers functional true end-use materials. The ProX
500 SLS DuraForm plastics are stable, durable,
thermoplastics. They have the highest level of
environmental stability, and have properties that
will last over time.
SLS Nylon PA12 has been an industry staple
for over 30 years. Along with very good physical
properties, 3D Systems’ DuraForm Nylon 12
is also biocompatible and meets food grade
requirements. Nylon 12 has a broad range of
chemical resistivity including hydraulic fluids, oil,
fuels, grease, salt water, and solvents. And on
3D Systems ProX500 system, part surface finish
is outstanding, having superior smoothness in its
class.
To broaden the set of SLS nylon materials, 3D
Systems has release three additional materials.
28 March 2018