Sep 8, 2017

voxeljet AG, a provider of high-speed, large-format 3D printers and on-demand parts services today announced the release of its first 3D printing system based on its new High Speed Sintering (HSS) process. So far, the company’s 3D printers have been used mainly for tooling and pattern making applications, but with HSS voxeljet will be entering the thermoplastics market with the ability to directly manufacture end-use products.

The basis for HSS is the same as voxeljet’s core technology, binder jetting. This new process involves depositing a fine layer of polymeric powder, e.g. PA12 or TPU, after which an inkjet print head selectively deposits an infrared absorbing fluid directly onto the powder surface where sintering is desired. No further liquids are used for the printing process, which keeps consumable costs to a minimum. The build area is then illumined with infrared light, causing the printed fluid to absorb this energy and then melt and sinter (fuse) the underlying powder. This process is repeated layer by layer until the build is complete to form functional plastic parts. The process was initially developed by Prof. Neil Hopkinson and is licensed to voxeljet from Evonik and Loughborough University.

Dr. Ingo Ederer, Chief Executive Officer of voxeljet, commented: “Our new high speed sintering process will initially be launched on our VX200 platform. With that, we are excited to offer to our customers great flexibility regarding process and machine parameters, as both can be tailored by our customers to their specific needs. We offer the option of open sourcing for materials, as our customers can choose various testing and validation services from voxeljet. ProPrint, our new and modular printing software, is available in a full access development-kit, allowing for even greater customization options. The availability and application of a wide range of 3D printable thermoplastic materials, including elastomers, makes this product line ideally suited for material suppliers, universities, and other institutions.”

According to the company, the new HSS process enables printing of parts with properties and qualities similar to Selective Laser Sintering, Multi Jet Fusion or injection molding. Users can produce versatile and fully functional prototypes such as brackets, housings and other functional parts. In combination with the excellent surface quality, sharp and clear edges, as well as true-to-detail resolution, parts 3D printed with HSS technology can be directly used for functional applications in automotive, industrial equipment, and even consumer goods.





Christian Traeger, Director Sales & Marketing, adds that “voxeljet’s industrial printers enable high-quality print resolutions with layer times that are consistent no matter what is being printed. Due to large printing widths of our print heads, we see a high potential for increased printing rates on larger platforms in the future, making this process even more productive compared to other additive manufacturing processes”.

voxeljet will be formally introducing its High Speed Sintering and the VX200 3D printer in November at the formnext fair in Frankfurt, Germany, taking place in November 14th-18th 2017.

Posted in 3D Printing Technology

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Jeffrey Linders wrote at 9/14/2017 3:52:03 PM:The Technology seems the same as HP. I dont understand how this can be marketed as a "new technology". I think Voxeljet will have problems, especially with the HP Print quality and solution. Lets seeHi guys wrote at 9/11/2017 11:18:13 AM:It resembles a lot the hp 3d printing system. Hope they have plans to allow a lot of differents materials to be used ^^^Jan Andrzejewski wrote at 9/8/2017 6:24:17 PM:The VX200 X & Y resolution is 300 DPI (0.085 mm) just let hope that with HSS process thinner layers also 0.085 mm (Z axis) will also be used. A true 3D resolution standard. The increased speed should allow thinner layers to not increase build times. So the VX500 should be 600 DPI (0.042 mm) in X Y & Z axis. 0.150 build layers are far to big for production machines.



