AMAREA Technology GmbH, in collaboration with Fraunhofer IKTS, has further developed the Multi Material Jetting (MMJ) technology to enable the production of complex components with customized properties. This additive manufacturing technology allows the precise combination of different materials in a single printing process, creating highly functional parts.
Fraunhofer IKTS has expanded its research equipment with the latest-generation MMJ ProX 3D printer. Featuring a build platform of 530 x 300 x 200 mm, the system enables both the fabrication of miniaturized components and the production of larger, complex structures. By combining various materials, mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties can be specifically tailored. For example, components can integrate varying hardness levels, different elasticities, electrical conductivity and insulation, as well as UV resistance and chemical durability with structural robustness. This material versatility opens up applications in industries such as aerospace, medical technology, mechanical engineering, and electronics manufacturing.
Dr. Uwe Scheithauer, Group Leader for Additive and Hybrid Manufacturing at Fraunhofer IKTS, also highlights these advantages: “The high material efficiency and reusability of the printing materials make a significant contribution to the sustainability of our manufacturing processes. This allows us to significantly reduce material waste and scrap.”
The MMJ ProX is a modular manufacturing system that can be flexibly adapted to specific requirements. The version installed at Fraunhofer IKTS features six print heads, capable of processing up to six different materials in a single print job. This significantly facilitates the development of new multi-material applications for industrial and scientific purposes. The MMJ process is based on the selective deposition of particle-filled, thermoplastic droplets, which solidify within fractions of a second. This approach reduces material consumption and post-processing effort while enabling the reuse of unused printing materials, contributing to the sustainability of the manufacturing process.
“We are pleased that Fraunhofer IKTS is among the first customers to utilize our system for the development of novel products, thereby expanding the market for Multi-Material applications,” says Steven Weingarten, developer of MMJ technology and co-managing partner of AMAREA Technology
By expanding MMJ technology, additive manufacturing can be further integrated into industrial processes, setting new benchmarks in the functionalization of components. Companies and research institutions can now experience the potential of this technology firsthand and apply it to their own innovations.
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