3Diligent, a digital manufacturing service, has announced it has added silicone 3D printing to its vast capabilities.
The company has already begun accepting requests for quote (RFQs) and processing orders in the newly-offered material. It expands 3Diligent’s service offering which, in addition to CNC machining, moulding and casting, already includes 3D printing in metals, plastics and composites.
Since chemical company WACKER made the breakthrough two years ago, silicone has become somewhat of an innovative product development for many industries, no least medical and healthcare. 3D printed silicone has been harnessed for surgical training, bandages for application directly on human skin, and the exploration of artificial hearts. It has the potential for many life-changing and life-saving applications, and it is why 3Diligent has sought to add the capability to its offering.
“Being able to 3D print silicone is an exciting innovation,” said 3Diligent CEO, Cullen Hilkene. “At 3Diligent we strive to meet the 3D printing needs of all designers and are pleased to expand our range of elastomeric materials with silicone.”
Though silicone is a new material offered by 3Diligent, customers can use the same streamlined process as for other materials and processes when requesting a quote or placing an order. Customers can log onto the 3Diligent website’s secure portal, upload their CAD design files, and select silicone as their desired material before confirming the order. Then, using its proprietary software, 3Diligent will identify the optimal silicone fabrication solution, issue a quote, and fulfil the order upon acceptance.
3Diligent’s adoption of 3D printing silicone is the most recent in a series of developments related to 3D printed silicone this year. Last week, WACKER confirmed its subsidiary, ACEO would be unveiling the world’s first industrial 3D printer for silicone at formnext powered by TCT, while EnvisionTEC launched its silicone TG material at RAPID+TCT in May.
