High-temperature applications

Gefertigt bei 180 Grad Celsius Bauraumtemperatur: Zahnräder und Federelemente aus dem für die Luft- und Raumfahrt zugelassenen Hochleistungskunststoff Ultem 9085. (Foto: Arburg) / Manufactured at 180 degrees Celsius build chamber temperature: Toothed wheels and spring elements made of Ultem 9085, a high-performance plastic approved for aerospace applications. (Photo: Arburg)

Der sterilisierbare und biokompatible Hochtemperatur-Kunststoff Ultem 1004 ist prädestiniert für die Medizintechnik. Exemplarisch lassen sich daraus individualisierte Sägeschablonen für Knie-Operationen fertigen. (Foto: Arburg) / The high-temperature plastic Ultem 1004 is ideal for medical technology due to its versatile sterilisation possibilities and biocompatibility. As an example, this material can be used to additively manufacture patient-specific sawing templates used for knee surgeries. (Photo: Arburg)

- Wide range of materials: Freeformer 300-3X for high-temperature plastics
- Sample use: Processing of materials based on PEI
- Predestined: Sterilisable and biocompatible Ultem HU 1004 for medical technology

The Freeformer 300-3X is specially designed for the processing of high-temperature plastics, and has a build chamber that can be heated up to 200 degrees Celsius. This means that the range of Arburg Plastic Freeforming (APF) materials can be expanded to include materials based on PEI, such as Ultem 1004 and Ultem 9085.

The presentation at the Formnext Connect 2020 includes the Freeformer 300-3X with an build chamber temperature of approx. 180 degrees Celsius. It processes materials based on polyetherimide (PEI) into medical and technical components, such as drilling and sawing templates, toothed wheels and spring elements.

Patient-specific saw templates

The high-temperature plastic Ultem 1004 is ideal for medical technology due to its versatile sterilisation possibilities and biocompatibility (ISO 10993, USP Class VI). As an example, this material can be used to additively manufacture patient-specific sawing templates, which are then used as fixing aids during knee surgeries. Other materials for medical technology applications are currently in the trial phase.

High-temperature plastic for aerospace applications

Tte PEI/PC blend Ultem 9085, on the other hand, is a high-strength and flame-retardant original material that is approved for aerospace applications and also meet the fire protection requirements for rail vehicle construction.

Broad spectrum for industrial additive manufacturing

Together, the Freeformers 200-3X and 300-3X cover a wide range of industrial additive manufacturing applications. While the Freeformer 200-3X is equipped with two nozzles as standard, the Freeformer 300-3X can process three components to produce complex functional components in resilient hard/soft combinations with support structures. With an adapted build chamber and closed cooling system with industrial cooling water connection, even complex parts can be manufactured from high-temperature materials.

Users can process their own original materials and optimise droplet size as well as process control themselves with the open system. Alternatively, they can access Arburg's material database with reference materials.