Page 68 - Plastics News September 2024
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PRODUCT NEWS
3D printing from granule
has some limitations. Nowadays, it is impossible
to produce little artifacts with nice aesthetics us-
ing “benchtop” granule printers. The main ap-
plications involve large parts, where visible lay-
ers are not a problem and can be exploited to
achieve aesthetic textures or be “smoothed” by
post-processing and eventual painting.
Large Format Additive Manufacturing (LFAM)
FGF 3D printing is increasingly popular in areas
such as:
irect 3D printing from FGF/LFAM granule
is gaining popularity due to the grow- Carbon fiber-reinforced versions offer excellent
Ding variety of application areas and in- structural properties, dimensional stability, easy
creased possibilities in terms of materials that post-processability, and paintability.
can be used. LATI3Dlab has developed a wide Materials Developed by LATI3Dlab for FGF
range of AM technical compounds designed to Technology
ensure excellent printability and maximum per-
formance for this challenging technology. LATI3Dlab, which has been engaged in the de-
velopment of AM materials for 3D filament tech-
FGF and FFF 3D printing nology for many years, has developed materials
When people talk about 3D printing by layer specifically for FGF technology that are ideal for
deposition, they commonly think of FFF (Fused large-scale printing. Types of materials within
Filament Fabrication). This technology is the the LATI3Dlab product portfolio include:
cheapest and most popular, with a wide choice ♦ Classical: PETg and PC, including recycled
of printers (from entry-level to professional) and (LATIECO AM) and self-extinguishing ver-
materials that can be used. sions (PETG V0 and PC V0)
In parallel, Fused Granulated Fabrication (FGF), ♦ UV stabilized: for outdoor use
i.e., direct 3D printing from granule, is increas- ♦ Rinforzati fibra vetro e carbonio: per propri-
ingly gaining momentum as it offers the possi- età meccaniche e stabilità dimensionale su-
bility of bypassing the extrusion of the material periori
– whether it is a polymer as is or loaded/rein- ♦ In the specific case of technical compounds
forced compound – into filament. What are the intended for LFAM, it is possible to find:
advantages?
♦ PC/PBT and PC/PETg blends: also in their
♦ Reduced costs in the supply chain
mechanical recycling versions, reinforced
♦ Improved thermal and mechanical properties with 30 percent glass fiber and carbon fiber.
of the molded part
♦ PA12 e PPS: rinforzati al 30% fibra di car-
♦ Freedom of formulation: greater flexibility bonio per applicazioni più sfidanti.
in material choice without the constraints of
extrudability and filament flexibility. Source: smart_molding
Is FGF 3D printing always advantageous?
Despite its many advantages, FGF technology
68 70 PLASTICS NEWSASTICS NEWS September 2024
PL
September 2024
