Additive manufacturing leader Ricoh 3D will showcase its new range of thermoset materials for Selective Laser Sintering at next week’s virtual Formnext exhibition.
The partnership with material innovator TIGER Coatings was announced at last year’s Formnext event, in a breakthrough move which combines TIGER’s TIGITAL® 3D-Set materials portfolio with Ricoh’s print expertise to provide an end-to-end AM service.
After a full and comprehensive validation programme, the materials are now commercially available for the production of end-use parts.
Ricoh 3D and TIGER will be jointly hosting an “Expert Session” at the virtual event, which is one of the largest global forums for the additive manufacturing industry, to share the extraordinary thermal and mechanical advantages of SLS thermoset parts.
The show runs from November 10 to November 12, with Ricoh’s ‘SLS printing with thermoset powder’ discussion taking place at 11am CET on Wednesday 11 November (10am GMT). Attendees can register for a free event ticket using code FN20AS145 at formnext.mesago.com
Formnext, like the vast majority of exhibitions around the world, has been forced to go virtual this year due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Enrico Gallino, Materials Specialist at Ricoh 3D, said: “Ricoh have been at Formnext since the first exhibiton in 2015, so we’re proud to support this landmark virtual event which remains a highlight of the AM calendar.
“Last year at Fomnext we unveiled our brand new partnership with TIGER. Now, after 12 months of hard work, the materials have been fully tested and validated and are ready to be used in production.
“So far materials for the selective laser sintering process have been limited to thermoplastics. This innovation will enable end users to produce parts with high chemical resistance combined with excellent insulation and flame-retardant properties. This is a gamechanger for anyone in the automotive, electrical, transportation or aerospace industries.
“Seeing is believing though! Come along to our expert session on 11 November and see some of the applications and properties in action for yourself!”
Thermoset materials remain in a permanent solid state, demonstrating outstanding isotropic performance. They can be used to create flame retardant parts that, unlike thermoplastics, offer low smoke formation, no polymer melt-dropping and self-extinguishing behaviour.
These characteristics make the materials perfect for use in industries such as electrical, rail, automotive and aerospace where most, if not all, components must be fire-proof.
The partnership further increases the capabilities of Ricoh’s 3D printing services and range of in-house technologies, including selective laser sintering, multi jet fusion, fused deposition modelling and injection moulding.
This is supported by a complementary range of team specialisms including material characterisation, design consultation, metrology and post-processing.
Ricoh 3D is a true end-to-end manufacturer, taking products through their full development cycle – whether it’s one or one million parts.
For more information or to get an online 3D printing quote, visit www.rapidfab.ricoh-europe.com