What appears to be a 3D printer has been unveiled by injection moulding machine manufacturer Arburg at the K Show in Düsseldorf. Sam Anson, the Managing Editor at TCT's stablemate Medical Plastics news is reporting remotely from the Arburg Press Conference. Updates to this story will appear here.
The machine reportedly 'uses standard plastic granules to make parts without moulds. The use of granules rather than filament would be a first.
UPDATE: Reports are that Arburg has created a new, patented process for 3D printing parts direct from granulated plastics.
UPDATE: From the pre-K Show press release from Arburg:
The APF process involves preparing the plastic granules in the same integrated way as with injection moulding. The liquid melt is used to produce droplets, enabling fully functional components to be produced in three dimensional layers without a mould. Production is based on the 3D data for the part, which is automatically prepared from the process data.
The Freeformer offers a number of decisive advantages:
• Efficient production of individual part and small volumes without a mould volumes without a mould
• Fully functional components instead of prototypes
• The processing of standard granules results in great variety and availability, as well as low material costs
• Low material consumption in comparison with other processes
• Because it produces no dust or emissions, the freeformer can be used anywhere
• 3D geometric freedom through working without support structures
• Multi-component processing, including hard/soft combinations
• Plug & play
• Expanding production options and increasing added value
