Jabil Develops PLA 3110P Material

Jabil Inc. introduced PLA 3110P, a powder based on a renewably sourced biomaterial that offers a bio-based alternative to petrochemical-based powders, such as Nylon-12 (PA 12). Developed in collaboration with NatureWorks, a manufacturer of polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers, the new Jabil PLA 3110P material is made with NatureWorks Ingeo PLA and leverages Jabil’s “beaker to box” material innovations to deliver the PLA-based powder optimized for powder-bed fusion technologies.

“Breakthroughs in material innovations are being driven by the need for better performing polymers,” says Luke Rodgers, senior director of R&D for additive manufacturing at Jabil. “We applied advanced morphology control to produce this sustainable and bio-based powder based on NatureWorks’ Ingeo biopolymer. Together, we are enabling an entirely new class of PLA material for the growing ecosystem of open additive manufacturing platforms.”

Jabil and NatureWorks collaborated to create, test and validate Jabil PLA 3110P powder by combining NatureWorks’ expertise in PLA technologies with Jabil’s experience in developing polymer formulations, novel compounds and material system integration. As a result, the new engineered material can advance sustainability initiatives while providing a low-carbon alternative to nylon-based material, Jabil reports.

“We are excited to join Jabil in launching the first Ingeo-based powder for open selective laser sintering (SLS) printing platforms,” says Salvador Ortega, global industry manager for NatureWorks. “Our Ingeo material is a lower-cost alternative with a carbon footprint that is 89% smaller than PA 121, which makes it well suited for a wide variety of additive manufacturing applications.”

Sampling Program Now Available

To accelerate availability of its engineered materials, Jabil has formalized a sampling program to provideprinted files and materials for a range of manufacturing requirements. Samples of Jabil PLA 3110P powder made from Ingeo are available, along with samples of Jabil PK 5000.

Parts made with Jabil PLA 3110P, Jabil PK 5000 and Jabil PA 0600 will be on display at RAPID + TCT 23, May 2-4 in Chicago (Booth 2140). Additionally, Jabil experts will be available to share updates on the company’s capabilities encompassing part design using design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) and part consolidation, along with the latest in prototyping and serial production.

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