Jabil Adds on to Additive Manufacturing Offerings

Jabil Inc. has launched PK 5000, an eco-friendly, powder-based additive material engineered to deliver chemical resistance and resilience. This material has been formulated to support automotive, consumer electronics, defense, medical and industrial manufacturing applications. Jabil will showcase various parts produced using PK 5000 at RAPID + TCT (May 17-19, Booth 1541). 

“Our latest engineered material will disrupt the market for powder-bed fusion technologies by improving upon existing polymers to offer enhanced processing and performance properties,” says Matt Torosian, director, Product Management, Jabil Additive. “With PK 5000, we are introducing new innovations to meet a broad range of customer requirements while accelerating the adoption of additive manufacturing.”  

Material Innovations 

PK 5000 was created, tested and validated at Jabil’s Materials Innovation Center in Chaska, MN, where polymer formulations, compound developments and material system integration are completed from start to finish under one roof. Additive manufacturing engineers, chemists, materials scientists and production experts leverage Jabil’s innovations in materials science to oversee each step of the beaker-to-box process of developing customized powders and filaments all under an ISO 9001-2015 quality management system. 

This newest material features a combination of chemical and mechanical properties, such as high-impact strength, high-abrasion resistance and improved elongation. PK 5000 has high-barrier properties and low-moisture absorption. Also, the polyketone resin used to make PK 5000 is an eco-friendly, low-carbon materialmade from carbon monoxide. The ability to leverage carbon monoxide may reduce overall carbon footprint. 

EOS, Farsoon and 3D Systems are currently evaluating PK 5000 for their printer platforms. Jabil is developing process parameters for all major SLS platforms to ensure widespread access to PK 5000. 

PK 5000 Availability and Pricing 

PK 5000 is available now for a suggested retail price that starts at $45/kg. 

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