Stratasys
Stratasys FDM Nylon 12CF
The impressive mechanical properties of FDM Nylon 12CF allow engineers to explore the possible transition from traditional metal parts to 3D printed plastic composites.
Additive manufacturing solutions provider, Stratasys has today announced the release of two advanced materials for 3D printing.
FDM Nylon 12CF is a carbon-filled thermoplastic strong enough to replace metal components in a range of applications, while Agilus30, tailor made for the PolyJet process, is a new line of high durability flexible materials that can withstand repeated flexing without tearing or deforming.
The first high-performance composite material to replace a range of metal applications available for Stratasys FMD technology, the FDM Nylon 12CF is ideal for rapid prototyping purposes, as well as in the production of strong, lightweight tooling and end-use parts. Containing 35% chopped carbon fibre by weight, the material offers the best stiffness-to-weight ratio among Stratasys FDM thermoplastics. During testing, Stratasys was happy to see it meet the performance demands in the aerospace, recreational goods, and industrial manufacturing sectors.
Stratasys
Stratasys FDM Nylon 12CF
Many parts of Utah Trikes’ products can be prototyped with Stratasys FDM Nylon 12CF, replacing metal and moulded plastics in a more rapid and efficient process.
FDM Nylon 12CF, Stratasys believe, will be of particular interest to design engineers that need to replace strong, lightweight components in quick-time; manufacturing engineers that produce jigs and fixtures, where high stiffness and strength is a necessity; and design engineers making low-volume production parts with unique structural requirements, where high strength in one direction is required. Already, Utah Trikes, a tricycle manufacturer, is taking advantage of the material’s properties.
“The excellent strength and stiffness-to-weight ratio of the FDM Nylon 12CF material is a game changer for us,” said Ashley Guy, President and CEO of Utah Trikes. “It means we can prototype almost every part of our product on Stratasys FDM 3D printers in under two weeks, where in the past it could take us over two months. I no longer have to constrain my designs because of prototyping limitations. Now I can focus on designing better, more functional parts without worrying about how to shape the aluminium or how to lay up carbon fibre onto the moulds.”
Tim Schniepp, Head of Tooling Solutions for Stratasys, added: “The very high stiffness-to-weight ratio of the FDM Nylon 12CF material makes it extremely well suited for a wide range of final part and manufacturing tooling applications where the combination of stiffness, strength and low weight is critical to the performance. Examples include drill guides, end of arm tooling, brackets, jigs, fixtures, and even metal forming tools.”
Stratasys
Stratasys FDM Nylon 12Cf
Medical device flexible tubing prototype 3D printed in Stratasys PolyJet Agilus30 material.
The second of Stratasys’ new advanced materials, the Agilus30 family consisting of Agilus30 and Agilus30 Black, has been created for designers and engineers that need to simulate flexible or rubber materials. With these materials, users garner an enhanced freedom to handle and test flexible parts and prototypes, getting in return accuracy, fine detail and increased product realism.
Suitable for modelling delicate parts that undergo repeated flexing and bending, the Agilus30 line’s rubber-like performance and compatibility with soluble support (SUP706) is expected to be of interest to mechanical engineers, PR managers and industrial designers. Examples of applications benefitting from Agilus30 include over-moulding, soft-touch and living hinges, hoses, seals and gaskets, as well as knobs, grips, pulls and handles.
The Agilus30 family is compatible with Stratasys’ Objet 260/350/500 and Connex 1/2/3 printing platforms and is now available for shipping. The FDM Nylon 12CF, meanwhile, is expected to ship in Q2 of 2017, and is available for the Stratasys Fortus 450mc production 3D printer and is compatible with soluble support SR-110. It also requires an updated version of Insight software and hardware upgrade.
