voxeljet Presents New Cold IOB 3D Printing Technology

voxeljet AG recently presented a new innovation at the GIFA 2023 trade show: the new cold IOB (Inorganic Binding) 3D printing technology. With this process, molds and cores for the foundry industry can be produced from sand and an inorganic binder without the need for microwave treatment.

At GIFA, the Bavarian company presented a new cold-curing inorganic process technology (cold IOB). The ICP project involves a fully automated, manufacturing cell in operation at BMW's light metal foundry in Landshut. Within this manufacturing cell, casting cores are printed with inorganic binders and then cured using a microwave. It is a warm process technology.

The new cold IOB technology does not require a microwave curing and is characterized by lower investment and operating costs. The use of IOB technologies opens up advantages for the foundry industry, e.g. only water vapor is produced during casting instead of harmful gases. This reduces emissions and improves working conditions in foundries.

"The introduction of cold IOB technology is an important step towards further adoption of printed cores and molds with inorganic binders in the foundry industry," says Dr. Ingo Ederer, CEO at voxeljet. "Our goal is to provide innovative solutions that not only increase efficiency, but also help promote the sustainability of metal casting."

The features of the cold IOB process technology and molds and cores produced with it include high dimensional accuracy, detail resolution and edge sharpness, and the ability to 3D print large molds and cores, voxeljet reports. Unlike warm IOB processes, which require printed cores to be cured and dried using a microwave, voxeljet's cold IOB technology only requires drying after printing, which takes place outside the machine. The process can be used on all voxeljet platforms. It is currently being tested and offered on the VX1000 and VX1000S printers. 

The cold IOB technology is particularly suitable for prototyping and medium series sizes and is now commercially available. Interested customers can order benchmarks.

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