Nexa3D and Addifab Partner to Enhance 3D Printed Tooling

Nexa3D, manufacturer of high-performance 3D printers for industrial applications, and 3D printed tooling company Addifab are joining forces to bring a 3D printed injection mold tooling platform to injection molders globally. Freeform injection molding (FIM) allows users to additively manufacture complex injection mold tooling in hours instead of weeks or months. (Photo: Business Wire)

Freeform injection molding opens up ability to additively manufacture complex injection mold tooling in hours instead of weeks or months. Image courtesy of Business Wire.

The platform, based on 3D printing technology, can produce tools that are compatible with most thermoplastic materials, including reinforced high-performance feedstocks. They can also be dissolved, which allows the molding of complex components that would otherwise be difficult to mold.

"Injection molding is a complex process, and the tool building is the most complex part of the process," says Lasse Staal, co-founding CEO of Addifab. "With Freeform Injection Molding, we provide injection molders with a fully transparent set of tools (no pun intended) that will allow them to fast-track tool designs and validations while raising the bar on tool innovation."

Through this collaboration, Nexa3D will supply their NXE 400 system—including the industrial 3D printer as well as wash and cure units—to users of Freeform Injection Molding, while Addifab will be supplying proprietary tooling resins and post-processing equipment.

"I had the opportunity to witness the powerful impact of Freeform Injection Molding (FIM) for the first time at the RAPID + TCT conference in 2019, and was instinctively intrigued by its potential to reimagine additive tooling," says Avi Reichental, co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Nexa3D. "As both Addifab and Nexa3D have since productized and industrialized our respective processes, it became obvious that together, we can achieve much more by digitizing injection molding at convincing scale sustainably. I can’t wait to see the far-reaching impact of our collaboration."

Nexa3D and Addifab will showcase their joint solution at the RAPID + TCT show in Detroit, May 17-19, 2022. The companies are also setting up joint Silicon Valley demo facilities in Palo Alto, CA.

Carsten Jarfelt, Addifab US chief commercial officer, will be heading the demo office. "The packages we are offering to injection molders are truly outstanding, and we look forward to connecting with innovators and thought leaders in the US and elsewhere," he says.

The Freeform Injection Molding capabilities powered by the NXE 400 systems are available immediately. For additional details, visit the Nexa3D x Addifab collaborative package page.

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