It is the properties of PEEK (Polyether-ether-ketone) such as high temperature and chemical resistance, mechanical stiffness and biocompatibility which make it such a high-performance polymer that can be utilised in a variety of industrial areas including automotive, mechanical and medical engineering. It’s low weight and mechanical hardiness also makes it ideal for metal substitutes. It is because of these attractive qualities that INDMATEC's latest development is claiming to be a revolutionary step in 3D Printing.
Whilst it was still possible to print PEEK before the INDMATEC FDM-Printer, production processes were largely inefficient thus leading to an abundance of waste PEEK material being generated and unnecessary amounts of money being squandered. According to INDMATEC this is a problem which has been eliminated with this new development.
According to Prof. Dr. Okolo, material scientist and co-founder of INDMATEC, the development of the new FDM-Printer “preceded years of research to make PEEK usable as a filament and concurrently develop a FDM 3D Printer that meets the challenging demands of the material.”
By synergising both soft and hardware, the FDM 3D Printer is ideal for processing PEEK filaments. The closed build chamber (measuring 155 x 155 x 155 mm3) is made with unreactive materials, which allows for a well-defined temperature profile during the printing process. Due to the specially-developed Hot End and nozzle, temperatures of up to 420o C can be reached by the printer in order to attain the polymer’s high melting point. Furthermore, optimum adhesion of the PEEK material is achieved as a result of the printer’s special heat bed. Despite the complex constituents that make up the printer, the user-friendly software is designed so that the user can print PEEK in a one-click procedure.
Tony Tran-Mai, CEO and founder of INDMATEC, prides himself on the fact that his company is able to provide ground-breaking technology alongside an attractive price-tag; “it was our goal to make additive manufacturing economically accessible to small- and medium sized enterprises.”
Not only is INDMATEC’s 3D Printer designed to print PEEK; it is also optimised to print high-temperature and hugh–performance polymers that meet the operating standards of many industrial sectors, making it a multi-purposeful printer.
The printer, inclusive of software, is priced at 9,590€, excluding VAT. This offer includes regular software and parameter updates. Moreover, it is also possible to book an implementation service along with technical support. Time of delivery is approximately 7 weeks after confirmation of order is received and a 50% down payment.
