Page 28 - Plastics News January 2021
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FeAtures
With AM capable of replacing so many traditional such as cold-weather sports, airless tires and automotive
materials, the question many ask is simple: could this components. Keeping astride of developments like this
part be made additively? can be very profitable, as you might find a material that
Many parts have exacting specifications to meet the unique meets your application requirements. Even better, a new
needs of the end product. However, AM materials have material might inspire you to tackle a part in an entirely
found use in every industry from medical to aerospace to new way.
consumer products. “There are many additive materials However, the usability of materials is only one concern.
that perform as well as – or better than – traditional Another is cost.
plastics,” Nanry says. “Whether you need something
to withstand harsh environments or you simply need Do Additive Materials Cost Too Much?
something with high durability, AM can cover your needs.” Cost has always been a major factor when weighing out
For example, materials like Epoxy 82 (EPX 82) are often viability for production, and in AM this is no different.
used in agriculture and construction thanks to the high While newer materials often have the tendency to cost
strength-to-weight ratio and high max use temperature. more than those made through traditional manufacturing
On the other hand, Rigid Polyurethane 70 (RPU 70) is often techniques, advances in technology can quickly drive
used for housings thanks to its durability and flexibility. down the price. Many additive materials have reached
the point where they are cost-effective, even in high
Additive can also create opportunities for new part production lines.
designs. For example, AM can be used to consolidate parts,
eliminating the need for costly, complex assemblies. In Even with falling prices, the unit costs of AM materials can
some cases, part consolidation can eliminate the need be quite high, and it is understandable if this deters some
to manufacture separate hinges, gaskets, or threaded manufacturers. However, the material is not the only cost
connectors, which usually improves the quality of the to making a part. “It’s important to evaluate the complete
cost structure for an additively manufactured part,”
Nanry says. “Calculating the total landed cost – including
factors like tooling, machining, and warehousing – shows
that additive can be significantly less expensive than CNC
machining or injection molding in some cases.”
If a company is going to seriously consider additive in a
manufacturing environment for many projects, it needs to
hit on all five factors: materials, speed, quality, scalability
and cost.
So, are you considering additive manufacturing in the
right ways or are you fearful of additive because the
part. Additionally, AM makes complex lattices possible,
enabling users to reduce the weight of the part without technologies you've looked at fall short on one, two
affecting its strength. or three of these five aspects? Well, it’s time to start
asking the right questions to help your company better
These parts can be made using HP High Reusability TPA. understand if additive manufacturing is right for your
Vitally, more materials are constantly in development. For organization.
example, HP 3D High Reusability TPA is a light, flexible With both the materials and the technology in a constant
material with enhanced rebound resilience. It is also state of flux, it can be daunting but then traditional
extremely resistant to becoming brittle in cold weather, manufacturers need to update themselves getting set up
maintaining elastomeric properties well below freezing. in an AM space.
Combined, these properties make it ideal for applications
(Courtesy: Plastics Technology)
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