EOS to introduce two new polymer materials at Formnext
As well as present Fine Detail Resolution (FDR) for the FORMIGA P 110 polymer system
At Formnext 2022, EOS will introduce a climate-neutral PA 1101 and carbon-reduced PA 2200 polymer material, as well as present Fine Detail Resolution (FDR) for the FORMIGA P 110 polymer system.
“When it comes to responsible manufacturing, we currently evaluate the climate impact of every aspect of industrial 3D printing to create transparency of the status quo. We also evaluate and improve production efficiency. For our new environmentally green materials, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible. And we invest in Gold Standard climate protection projects to offset the unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions,” said Björn Hannappel, Head of Sustainability at EOS.
For material sourcing, EOS particularly focuses on three factors: the choice of polymers for 3D printing, how the polymer powders are being generated, and how the qualified additive manufacturing powder is being processed on EOS systems. Depending on the choice of raw materials, the CO2e footprint for additive manufacturing powder production can be reduced by increased production efficiency and quality to lower scrap and increase material reusability throughout the production journey.
PA 1101 ClimateNeutral polymer material
PA 1101 is a bio-based material with a smaller carbon footprint than petrol-based polymers. Production efficiency has been, and will be, continuously improved for this material, too.
The term climate-neutral reflects the broader inclusiveness of other greenhouse gases in climate change, even if carbon dioxide is the most abundant. The material comes with proven quality and material composition.
Customers will also receive a certificate that proves the correct calculation and offsetting for the application.
PA 2200 CarbonReduced polymer material
PA 2200 has a notable set of properties for final part properties, and is traditionally a petrol-based polymer.
EOS aims to constantly increase the production efficiency of this material while providing the added value of almost 45% reduced CO2e footprint. For material production, renewable energies are used.
“By far most customers trust in the excellent properties of our PA 1101 and PA 2200 materials. We are proud to offer them a carbon-reduced and even-neutral version. This enables us to support their sustainability goals while maintaining the proven part quality they have built their businesses on,” said Moritz Kügler, VP of Polymer Materials at EOS.
FORMIGA P 110 FDR: for filigree and stable parts, smooth surfaces, ultra-thin walls
Where delicate structures with fine surfaces and thin walls are key to application builds, Fine Detail Resolution (FDR) is the right solution. EOS developed the FDR technology for their polymer systems to increase customers’ ability to print with fine detail.
Unlike other options in the EOS system portfolio, the FDR technology uses a CO laser with a focus diameter twice as small as many existing SLS technologies. With this, extremely fine surfaces can be achieved, as well as delicate but stable parts with a minimum wall thickness of just 0.22 mm. The material is being processed in layer thicknesses of 40 µm, and is characterized by high impact strength and elongation at break.
This opens new fields of applications wherever precision engineering is needed, for example, for optical components, parts for gears and small engines, small valves, pipes, impellers, plugs, and electronic equipment. The FORMIGA P 110 FDR enables even more variety and attention to detail.
