What is 3D Printing?
3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process of making 3D solid objects from a computer-aided-design (CAD) model. A process known as slicing, breaks down the model into thinly sliced horizontal cross-sections. The 3D printed object is then formed by building successive horizontal layers of materials until the object is created.
Why 3D Printing?
Given the shorter lifecycle of products, growing number of product variance and increasing customization demands, 3D printing comes in handy. 3D printing offers several advantages over traditional manufacturing techniques such as:
Speed
Complex designs can be created digitally and the product can be printed within a few hours. This allows rapid prototyping, product verification and small volume on-demand parts production. The ability to produce parts faster than traditional manufacturing gives 3D printing a huge time saving advantage.
Cost
Traditional manufacturing techniques like injection moulding requires an initial investment for the mould which is both time consuming and costly while 3D printing does not.
WHAT CHEM ON CAN OFFER: ARBURG FREEFORMER
Tap into the world of industrial 3D printing with Arburg Freeformer. An open system 3D printer that combines injection moulding technology and a patented droplet system, the Freeformer gives you the freedom of material choices and freely programmable slice & processing parameters. This allow you to print part qualities that are individually optimised to suit your needs.
You can select between the 200-3X or 300-3X model depending on your requirement. The differences between these two models are the number of discharge nozzles, installation area, high temperature option capability, and chamber build space.
With an additional discharge unit, the 300-3X allows combination of up to three materials in a single print compared to two materials in the 200-3X. The high temperature option allows use of a wider variety of material with higher melting point. Larger build chamber space also allows printing of larger products.
Freeformer 200-3X | Freeformer 300-3X | |
---|---|---|
Discharge Units | 2 | 2-3 |
Installation Area | 200 cm² | 300 cm² |
Part Carrier | 3-axis | 3-axis |
Max Chamber Temperature | 120°C | 120°C |
Max Melt Temperature | 350°C | 350°C |
High Temperature Option | - | Max Chamber Temp: 200°C Max Melt Temp: 450°C |
Usable Build Chamber Space (x, y, z) | 154 mm 134 mm 230 mm | 234 mm 134 mm 230 mm |
Application
Given the versatility of an open system like the Arburg Freeformer, there are countless applications of 3D printing in the manufacturing, medical equipment, pharmaceutical, automotive, construction, aerospace, maritime industries.
With the Freeformer, materials with unique properties such as flameproof material, conducting material, medical polylactides and bio-polymers can be printed. Objects with moving parts and multi-components can also be achieved in a single print. The Freeformer is also capable of printing objects with high flexibility and is clean-room compatible.
Ball Bearing Medical Implants Moving Component
Click to learn more about 3D Printer processes such as additive or subtractive manufacturing! Or Contact us now to enquire more about the Freeformer!