Arburg has added a high-temperature version to its Freeformer 750-3X, which enables the additive manufacturing of functional components from sophisticated plastic granulates. The build chamber of this machine can be heated up to 200 °C, while the material is plasticized at temperatures of up to 450 °C. These properties allow the processing of high-temperature plastics such as Ultem 9085, a polyetherimide (PEI) known for its high strength and flame retardancy. Such materials meet strict fire protection requirements and are used in areas such as the aerospace and automotive industries.
The Freeformer 750-3X has an installation space of 330 × 230 × 230 mm and therefore offers 2.5 times more space than its predecessor, the 300-3X. The designation “3X” stands for the three axes of the component carrier that move in the x, y and z directions. With three discharge units, the machine is able to realize complex geometries and multi-material combinations with support material. This enables the production of resilient functional components with hard/soft connections.
LMPAEK polymers from Victrex are another interesting material for the mobility sector. These have similar mechanical and tribological properties to PEEK, but can be processed at lower temperatures. The material is electrically insulating and can be further optimized by annealing after amorphous printing to improve the mechanical, chemical and thermal properties. Applications include rotors and plugs for electric vehicles as well as distribution pipes and impellers.
The freeformer’s Gestica control system is optimized for process stability, part quality and build time and enables intuitive operation. Based on the slicing data, it calculates exactly how much material is needed to build each layer. Variable dispensing behavior helps to reduce the dwell time, resulting in high-quality components with reduced material usage. In addition, grid-shaped support structures, faster droplet discharge and an increased layer thickness from 0.2 mm to 0.25 mm shorten the build time without compromising quality.
With the high-temperature version of the Freeformer 750-3X, Arburg is expanding the possibilities of additive manufacturing for demanding applications in various industries. The ability to process high-temperature plastics and multi-material combinations opens up new perspectives for the production of complex and resilient functional components.
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