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NematX, a Swiss 3D printing company extrusion-based, has announced the launch the NEX 01 3D Printer at the Formnext trade fair.
The NEX 01 has been designed to facilitate high-throughput production and maximum process control. It uses a motion control system with slicing algorithms that give it micron resolution 3D printing capabilities. These, in tandem with the machine’s Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) compatibility, are said to make it well suited to meeting industrial applications in the most demanding of production environments.
NematX LCP 3D printing
LCPs have a lower cost than materials such as PEIs and PEEKs. They are composed of shorter, more rigid molecules that are structured in a way that gives them attractive strength properties. NematX has created a Nematic 3D Printer technology. Using Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), this process aligns LCPs along the print direction, to deliver mechanically-enhanced parts.
Leveraging its technology, NematX boasts of being able to create prints with a Young’s moduli of up to 25 GPa and ultimate tensile strength of 650 MPa. The ETH Zurich spin-off’s approach has also seen it recognized as an industry innovator and helped it establish a client base. NematX was awarded the Formnext Start-up Challenge 2020 and has since begun to market its own line of LCP filaments.
Said to be ten times stronger than PEEK, these chemically and biologically inert materials feature low-flammability, high radiation resistance, and allow for the production of parts within an accuracy of 25 µm. NematX says it also produces its LCPs to the “highest quality standards” using a sophisticated in-line monitoring system to continuously control filament diameter and ovality during production.
The company doesn’t yet list its full material offering via its website, but those interested can reach out and request a quote from NematX directly.
Introducing the NEX 01 3D Printer
NematX’s NEX 01 3D printer is now available for purchase. This printer will complement the company’s software and material collection. In practice, the system works by controlling LCPs’ molecular alignment during extrusion to enable the creation of parts with improved thermal, biological, mechanical and chemical properties. LCPs can be deposited much faster than traditional 3D printer materials. Therefore, the NEX 01 provides significant throughput potential.
NematX equipped the NEX 01, a motion control system that allows users to manage extrusion volume in order to fully take advantage of these LCP 3D printer advantages. This machine comes with a fast build plate exchange setup, which allows for volume production. It also has a fully-integrated monitoring system, which ensures part quality.
Once launched, the firm anticipates that the NEX 01’s high-grade components and LCP 3D printing capabilities will unlock the “serial production of complex technical products.” The machine is now commercially available, with the first units scheduled for delivery in Q2 2023, and it’s also set to be deployed in support of NematX’s 3D printing R&D and custom part manufacturing services.
“With our decision to offer tailored hardware and software solutions for our materials, we did not take the path of least resistance” explains NematX CEO Raphael Heeb. “But thanks to our holistic approach, we have the chance to set new standards in polymer 3D printing by combining part performance with high manufacturing precision.”
LCPs no doubt have industrial manufacturing potential, but they’re far from the only high-performance polymers in the 3D printing space. Roboze has launched its Plus PRO 3D printers this year. This allows Roboze to expand its high-temp PEEK production line, which continues its search for aerospace and defense applications.
Markforged offers a different way to 3D print high-strength polymers. This is done using a carbon fiber reinforcement that produces prints that are strong and stiff enough to be replaced by aluminum parts.
See our complete list Formnext news round-up for the latest from 3D printing’s leading trade show.
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Featured image: The NematX NEX01 at Formnext 20202. Photo by NematX.