CBAM-2 3D printing system is said to deliver complex parts at production speeds and volumes.
Chicago-based additive manufacturing company, Impossible Objects has introduced its latest 3D printing system and announced a materials partnership with BASF at RAPID + TCT this week.
The company, which first introduced its composite based additive manufacturing (CBAM) hardware back in 2017, is debuting its next generation CBAM-2 system in Detroit promising complex parts on an industrial scale at 10 times the speed of conventional 3D printing systems. The CBAM-2 combines high-performance polymers like PEEK and Nylon with long-fibre carbon and fibreglass sheets to produce composite parts with better strength-to-weight ratios compared to metals, along with superior temperature performance and chemical resistance. The system also supports production of larger parts with printed sheets now able to reach up to 12 inches x 12 inches in size.
The CBAM-2, which will be available for customers beginning Q3, builds on the success of Impossible Objects’ Model One system which has already been adopted by major customers including Ford Motor Company, Jabil and the United States Air Force.
“It’s been exciting to see how our customers are putting our approach to work to create high-performance parts for everything from aircraft and cars to lightweight athletic gear,” said Impossible Objects Founder and Chairman, Bob Swartz. “We’re continuing to bring machines, materials and expertise to the market to transform the entire manufacturing process, from prototyping through to high-volume production.”
The company’s second announcement arrives in collaboration with materials giant, BASF, which sees both Model One and CBAM-2 printers support BASF’s Ultrasint PA6 powder to enable printing of high-performance carbon fibre-PA6 composite parts for the first time.
Impossible Objects says carbon fibre-PA6 composites offer better strength and temperature performance at a lower cost than PA12, and are up to four times stronger than conventional polymer extrusion parts and twice as strong as Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) parts made with PA12.
Kara Noack, regional business director for BASF 3D Printing Solutions added: “Our collaboration with Impossible Objects opens up new possibilities for customers, especially in the automotive and industrial sectors where we’re seeing strong demand for PA6. This partnership is in line with our philosophy of open innovation and support for open platforms. We’re encouraged by how Impossible Objects is using PA6 and are excited to work together to advance the state of additive manufacturing.”
To support its further growth, Impossible Objects also announced it has secured a further 4.1 million USD in a funding round led by returning investor OCA Ventures. This latest injection of investment brings the company’s total funding to more than 13 million USD.
