3D printing has made considerable progress in recent years, particularly in the field of silicone printing. One notable company in this sector is San Draw, which is setting new standards with its patented Fluid Additive Manufacturing (FAM) technology.
The FAM technology was developed specifically for the processing of RTV (room temperature vulcanization) and LSR (liquid silicone rubber) silicones. A key feature of this technology is the ability to print with medical grade silicone, which is available in a hardness range from Shore A18 to Shore A70. This versatility enables the production of customized products such as robotic grippers, sensors and industrial seals.
A standout product from San Draw is the S180 silicone 3D printer. This medium-sized printer features a dual-nozzle system that enables the simultaneous printing of silicone and water-soluble support material. With a build volume of 150 x 200 x 100 mm and a layer thickness of 0.01 to 0.2 mm, the S180 offers high precision and attention to detail.
The use of water-soluble support material in the S180 makes it much easier to produce complex structures. After the printing process, the support material can simply be removed by rinsing with water, which reduces post-processing time and enables the production of complex geometries.
Another advantage of FAM technology is its openness to third-party materials. The S180 not only supports San Draw’s proprietary silicones, but also third-party materials such as hydrogels, ceramic gels and food gels. This flexibility allows users to test a variety of materials and achieve specific properties depending on the application.
FAM technology and the S180 have found applications in various industries, including medical technology, robotics and industrial manufacturing. In medical technology, the biocompatibility of the silicones used enables the production of patient-specific implants and medical devices. In robotics, flexible components such as grippers and sensors are manufactured, which impress with their elasticity and durability.
In summary, San Draw’s FAM technology and the S180 silicone 3D printer offer a flexible and precise solution for silicone 3D printing. The support of different materials and the ability to print complex structures with water-soluble support material opens up a wide range of applications in different industries.
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