3D Printing Materials

UK-based metal AM materials producer Metalysis has bolstered its capabilities by acquiring a 40 kW Tekna spheroidiser, aka Teksphero-40.  Designed for the production of spherical powders, Tekna’s system caters to niche markets with high-value applications and supports the development of new alloys on a smaller scale. This step aligns with Metalysis’ strategy to scale up production of refractory alloys, such as tantalum and high-entropy alloys, while preparing to serve the high-temperature niobium market with materials like niobium C103 and FS85. Nitesh Shah, CEO of Metalysis, said, “By controlling our spheroidisation processes, we’re not only reducing lead times and mitigating global supply chain risks, but also reinforcing our sustainable footprint. This is a pivotal moment for Metalysis as we strengthen our position in the critical materials supply chain – now able to provide spheroidised powders in-house.” The 40 kW Tekna spheroidiser, aka Teksphero-40. Photo via Metalysis. Improving powder processing with spheroidisation…    read more 

Nominations for the 2022 3D Printing Industry Awards are now open. Who do you think should make the shortlists for this year’s show? Let us know by casting your vote now. Plasma technology developer 6K has provided a rare insight by inviting 3D Printing Industry into its powder production facilities and some of the key drivers behind their rapid expansion.  Those familiar with the firm will already know that its 3D printing-focused 6K Additive and battery-oriented 6K Energy divisions use its UniMelt reactors to recycle metal waste into sphericalized powder material for metal 3D printing. This microwave plasma process allows for up to 100% of millings, turnings and other discarded materials to be reused in a process that’s said to improve yields and drive circularity on the shop floor.  With 6K’s technology only reaching a proof-of-concept stage in 2018, it has moved on fairly rapidly since. Having first ‘struck plasma’…    read more 

Raise3D’s “Go Green Initiative” focuses on utilizing best practices to minimize environmental harm. Raise3D, a global additive manufacturing solutions provider, has announced its “Go Green Initiative.” Being green by nature, in the opinion of Raise3D, is the finest strategy. According to Raise 3D, a circular economy and sustainable practices can be facilitated by 3D printing. Examples include sustainable materials like PLA and the inherent waste reduction of additive manufacturing. Firstly, the plastic spools for 3D printing filament used by Raise3D will be replaced by cardboard. These cardboard spools will feature on 6 Premium Filaments: PLA, ABS, ASA, PETG, PC, and TPU-95A. The spool was created to ensure that the printing process quality and dependability remained unaltered and employ adhesives that can endure even the high temperatures of filament drying treatments. Secondly, the firm aims to utilize recycled cardboard boxes that are easy to dispose of and recycle again. “While there…    read more 

Fiberlogy, a Polish 3D printing filament manufacturer has launched a new 3D printing material. FiberSmooth is a filament made from polyvinyl butyral (PVB). FiberSmooth allows 3D prints to be post-processed to a smooth and glossy finish. Post-processing the PVB polymer with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) either via an ‘IPA bath’ or vapor finishing, dissolves the outer edges leaving a layer-free surface.   The filament is designed for use with Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) (aka Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)) 3D printers. FDM or FFF  is a type of 3D printing technology where a plastic wire is melted and extruded by a nozzle onto a build platform. This layer-by-layer process leaves the surface of the 3D print uneven. To eliminate the uneven surface, a solvent such as IPA can be used. IPA as a solvent dissolves the uppermost layer that hardens the structure and blurs the boundaries in between layers.  A Fiberlogy FiberSmooth 3D…    read more 

This week, The Virtual Foundry (TVF) is announcing an interesting new product, an FFF Metal 3D Printing Evaluation Kit.  The package includes a completed metal part and all of the consumables required to 3D print your own metal part. You will need access to a filament based (FFF/FDM) 3D printer. If you don’t have access to a kiln, you can send it back to The Virtual Foundry and they will sinter it for you and send it back. How The VIrtual Foundry’s Filamet Evaluation Kit works. Image via The Virtual Foundry. Over the past 7 years The Virtual Foundry has earned a reputation as a flexible, ultra low cost method of 3D printing metal, glass and ceramic parts. Their approach is different from systems like those from Desktop Metal and Markforged. The Virtual Foundry maintains an open architecture philosophy with open lines of communication and a sense of community.  The…    read more