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3D printing manufacturing process

Suction pipe made of PET | FFF process | Application: automation

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    • The terms “additive manufacturing” or “3D printing” include a wide variety of manufacturing processes. Depending on the requirements, e.g. in terms of material, exactness or quantity, we select the best possible process for the specific application.

    To identify the optimal process, it helps us a lot if we know the application of the component. Interesting parameters are e.g.:

    • operating temperature
    • mechanical load
    • required exactness
    • media contact
    • required weight

    In many cases we have the possibility to process the identical material to be used in further development steps or in series production.

    Overview of the most important manufacturing processes

    In the field of 3D printing, there are many manufacturing processes and many different materials. From this variety of combinations, we can define the optimal implementation for your application. We rely on the manufacturing processes FFF and SLA.

    Another benefit is the combination with our conventional manufacturing processes; this means that additive manufactured components can be reworked in our plastics technology area if required.

    We can produce prototypes in a wide variety of manufacturing processes and materials:

    • FFF process
    • SLA process

    We will be happy to advise you on suitable manufacturing processes and ideal materials for your application.

    FFF additive manufacturing printing process

    Fused Filament Fabrication

    The FFF process, also known as the FDM process from the Stratasys company, is probably the best-known 3D printing process. A plastic wire (filament) is fed into a heated print head. There, a nozzle melts the filament and applies it layer by layer to the build platform.

    FFF is considered one of the most cost-effective 3D printing processes with a very wide range of materials at the same time. We have specialized in processing especially high-tech materials for high mechanical and thermal loads with this process.

    • High diversity of materials

    • Hollow and thus very light components can be manufactured

    • Cost-effective for small and medium quantities

    • Minimal material consumption, particularly interesting for high-quality high-tech materials

    • Suitable for the production of load-bearing components

    • Medium accuracy, but can be improved by mechanical rework

    • Longer manufacturing process

    • Textured surfaces in layer direction

    • Mechanical load capacity in x, y and z different

    Additive manufacturing SLA printing process

    Stereolithography

    The SLA process is the oldest patented manufacturing process. In this process, a liquid synthetic resin is cured layer by layer by a laser. This process can also be used to process different materials with special properties.

    Components with special requirements in terms of accuracy and optical demands can be manufactured with it.

    • Very high precision

    • Very high surface quality

    • Large variety of materials

    • Filigree geometries can be produced

    • Elaborately reworking

    • Final product not permanently UV resistant

    • No hollow, closed components possible

    • Materials not available in other manufacturing processes

    SLS printing method of additive manufacturing

    Selective Laser Sintering

    By means of a laser, the desired material is melted in powder form, layer by layer, and the individual layers are bonded together in the process. The variety of materials is somewhat limited with this process.

    Especially for the production of higher quantities, this process can offer an economical alternative.

    • Suitable for the production of load-bearing components

    • No support structures necessary

    • Low-cost series production

    • High precision

    • nefficient for small quantities

    • Surfaces slightly textured

    • Limited choice of materials

    Test component manufactured in additive manufacturing with the SLS process

    Test component made of PA | SLA-process

    Compact compressed air parts made of Resin Clear produced in additive manufacturing

    Compact Compressed Air Manifold made of Resin Clear | SLA-process | Application: automation

    Examples of applications of additive manufactured parts

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