miniFactory, a Finnish 3D printer manufacturer, has released the miniFactory Ultra 3D printer for high-temperature materials, such as PEEK and PEKK. Olli Pihlajamäki, Sales and Marketing Director, explained that high-strength polymers can become warped during printing when build chamber temperature is not controlled.
Printing Materials?
Ultra 3D printer has the widest temperature ranges and adjustability; therefore practically all thermoplastic filaments are printable. Different polymers have different melting points and different glass transition temperatures, and therefore the combination of the nozzle and chamber temperature is different for almost all polymers. Every tested ultra-polymer has its own profile in the printing software, and there are more to come as new ones reach the market and they are tested. The users can also compile their own new profiles.
“PEEK, PEKK and other semi-crystalline polymers require a really sensitive printing process for optimal crystallization. For that the Ultra has unique integrated and automated annealing system which means that after a print job, the machine calculates and perform the optimal annealing process for semi-crystalline polymer parts.”
Technical Specifications
Printer measurements: 100 x 80 x 100 cm 3D Printing Technology: FDM/FFF Heated chamber temperature: 250°C Supported filament materials: Ultra-polymers like PEEK, PEKK, ULTEM (PEI), PPSU and other regular plastic filaments such as PLA, ABS, PLA composites, PHA, PVA, TPE & TPU, PETG Extruder: a dual extruder for printing with two different materials. The nozzles can handle temperatures up to 480°C Software: Simplify3D (recommended) The printer is available to buy for $52,634.
3D printing with ULTEM, PEKK, and PEEK
As previously reported by 3D Printing Industry, an increasing number of options for using high-grade thermoplastics have become available. Such materials include ULTEM (PEI), PEKK, and PEEK. These polymers offer greater tensile strength and chemical resilience than traditional plastics used in the 3D printing, such as ABS and PLA.
However, 3D printing with polymers like PEEK requires a high melting temperature and a temperature controlled environment. These requirements make it necessary to specifically manufacture 3D printers with such capabilities. miniFactory Ultra is another addition to the family of PEEK 3D printers like the recently launched 3DGence INDUSTRY F340.
Read more: miniFactory Ultra, technical specifications and pricing
thumbnail courtesy of 3dprintingindustry.com
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