The research project RaPPoD (“Rapid PBF Polymer Development”) launches an initiative to make the development of new polymer powders for Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) 3D printing—also known as Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)—more efficient. Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, the project aims to significantly shorten the time- and resource-intensive material validation process through a new testing concept.
The PBF process is one of the established technologies for the additive manufacturing of functional plastic components. Despite its technical maturity, the market is still almost entirely dominated by polyamide 12 (PA 12), limiting the range of available mechanical and thermal properties. RaPPoD seeks to address this by developing new methods for assessing potential powder materials. Instead of laboriously produced tensile specimens, so-called monolayers—single, thin layers—will be used. These require only small quantities of powder and enable rapid, statistically robust evaluations of material and process parameters.
Project partners such as VISIOTECH GmbH contribute extensive expertise in process development for the SLS method. Initial tests with polyamides such as PA 11 and PA 12 have already shown that the approach provides reliable insights into processing behavior.
As the project progresses, innovative polypropylene powders and additive-enhanced blends will be developed to broaden the material base for industrial 3D printing. By involving industry partners early on, the results are expected to be quickly transferred into practical applications.
RaPPoD establishes a practice-oriented approach that could accelerate the development of additive manufacturing materials and strengthen the competitiveness of German companies in the growing 3D printing market.
Learn more about SKZ here.
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