PA612-GB 3800 part samples at formnext
French additive manufacturing company, Prodways is showing its recently launched new 3D printing material, PA6-12T at formnext powered by tct.
This industry-first laser sintering powder - PA612-GB 3800 - is a result of the company’s partnership with A. Schulman, a leading international supplier of high-performance plastic compounds and composite materials.
PA6-12T is a glass filled material is said to open up new possibilities in the aviation, automotive and rail industries for the 3D printing of high performance plastic parts that are usually made of injected plastic or metal.
Designed to increase the use of production 3D printing for small and medium end-use parts, PA6-12T is a plastic material used with conventional plastic processing techniques to produce parts that require rigidity, impact resistance and a capacity to withstand high temperatures. PA612T is also characterised by its low sensitivity to moisture absorption, allowing it to maintain its mechanical properties in humid conditions. Using the new PA612-GB 3800 powder, it is now possible to 3D printed plastic parts that can deliver high performance mechanical properties, even with complex geometrical structures such as fuel circuits or pump bodies.
When used for high performance parts, PA612-GB 3800 can replace machined metal by printing lighter and more effective plastic parts with an optimised design - such as casings, the top parts of motors or ballast systems.
This is just the first material to come from the partnership but speaking with the team at formnext, there are other high-performance laser sintering materials in the works.
RAF part showing printed and finished states at formnext
Another interesting development on the stand was Prodways Rapid Additive Forging (RAF) which the company is currently offering through its manufacturing services. The technology uses a feed of standard welding materials to produce near net metallic parts which are then machined to finish. It’s trend we’ve been seeing more of in the industry thanks to a combination of welding technologies and robotics, and Prodways says its seeing a demand even for just unfinished printed parts for industries such as aerospace.
