German chemical company, Wacker Chemie, has announced plans to expand its ACEO 3D printing services for silicone rubber with the opening of a US-based printing lab later this year.
The facility is the company’s first regional 3D printing lab outside of Germany and will be located at Wacker’s R&D centre for silicones in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Exact investment figures have not been released but Wacker says it has earmarked a single digit million USD amount for the development.
The new lab will be equipped with two 3D printers, each of which will be able to process a broad range of silicone rubber with different Shore A hardnesses and in varying colours, including media resistant FVMQ grades.
Bernd Pachaly, head of the ACEO 3D printing project at Wacker, commented: “In general, North America is the largest and most dynamic market for 3D printing. With our new lab, prospective partners will obtain local access to the compelling possibilities of 3D printing with liquid silicone rubber.”
While ACEO will continue to deliver printed silicone components from its Burghausen-based production facility, the new lab forms part of the company’s strategic plans to serve regional markets and will offer technical service and advice to customers throughout North America.
“Right from the start, we will be engaged in projects involving medical devices and components needed for health care, transportation, aerospace and electronics, all of which are key industry segments, particularly for silicone-based products,” Pachaly explains. “Establishing a regional lab will support expansion of ACEO’s footprint in the US and furthers Wacker’s global service network for silicone rubber 3D printing solutions.”
Ian Moore, Vice President Wacker Silicones at Wacker Chemical Corporation in Adrian (MI), added: “Our Innovation Center is focused on developing advanced and forward-looking solutions that support regional trends which can be quickly brought to market. Our team of scientists and highly specialised experts in the field of silicones and 3D printing will be able to offer our business partners valuable technical cooperation and services.”
Wacker first launched its 3D printing technology for silicone elastomers in 2016. At last year’s formnext, the company debuted its multi-material silicone printing technology which enables printing of multiple silicone materials to create functional products with complex inner structures. Based on a “drop-on-demand” principle, the process works by depositing single silicone voxels on a build platform which flow together to form a homogeneous layer cured by UV light.
