3D Systems Expands Plastics Materials Portfolio

3D Systems is announcing several innovations for its plastics materials portfolio designed to help manufacturers address a broader portfolio of applications. These materials—Figure 4 RUBBER-65A BLK, Accura Fidelity, Accura Bond, and Accura Patch—are designed for the company's Figure 4 and stereolithography (SLA) printing technologies. 

"Our team has continued developing new materials across our plastics portfolio to address a broader set of production applications and providing data sheets with key test results and performance specs to make it easy for our customers to make the optimal material choice for their needs," says Menno Ellis, SVP and general manager, plastics, 3D Systems. "Our material scientists and technical experts have leveraged decades of experience to engineer these high performing materials to deliver accurate, economical and repeatable results to enable our customers to maintain competitive advantage."

Figure 4 RUBBER-65A BLK

3D Systems is introducing Figure 4 RUBBER-65A BLK. This mid-tear strength elastomer has high elongation at break for flexibility and durability, is engineered for long-term environmental stability, and is tested per UL94 standards. These properties enable production of end-use elastomeric parts with a high degree of accuracy and minimal scarring from supports, which makes it ideal for applications such as air/dust gaskets, seals for electronics, vibration dampeners and pipe spacers.

Figure 4 RUBBER-65A BLK is biocompatible capable per ISO 10993-5 and ISO 10993-10 so it can be used to produce grips and handles as well as padding for splints and braces. General availability for this material is planned for late June 2020.

New Investment Casting Materials

The company is introducing a new casting material and two new post-processing materials. Accura Fidelity is an ultra-low viscosity, antimony-free SLA resin with clean burnout that is designed to create patterns for a variety of castable metals, including titanium and aluminum alloys. When used as part of 3D Systems' QuickCast process, Accura Fidelity enables rapid creation of medium to large, lightweight, and easy-to-handle casting patterns.

"The new Accura Fidelity material for Stereolithography printing has improved the post-processing of our QuickCast investment casting patterns," says Nancy Holt, director of operations, 3D Systems On Demand. "The low viscosity of this material facilitates better drainage and faster cleaning of the patterns, resulting in an expected increase in throughput by up to 30% as we move into full production with this material."

3D Systems is also introducing a new UV curable class of post-processing materials with Accura Patch and Accura Bond. Accura Patch is a high viscosity material designed to fill QuickCast pattern drain holes during post-processing. Accura Bond is a high viscosity material created to join various printed patterns together into one large pattern. Both solutions can also be used with any of 3D Systems' SLA resins for creating larger parts and for patching during post processing.

Accura Fidelity is currently available while general availability for Accura Bond and Accura Patch is planned for July 2020.

On July 8, 2020, 3D Systems is hosting a virtual event "Go Digital, Stay Agile" that will showcase how additive and subtractive manufacturing capabilities can complement businesses—helping to improve agility. As part of this event, attendees will have the opportunity to meet with experts to learn more about these new materials, and how they can address specific application needs. For more information on the virtual event, click here.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.