Now BASF and Essentium are teaming up to develop new, more robust materials for good old-fashioned fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing. Essentium, which was founded in 2013, pioneered what they call FlashFuse technology, an electric welding process that uses nanomaterial technology to create extremely strong interlayer adhesion in FFF/FDM 3D printed plastic parts. It’s a two-part technology that involves filament coated in energy-responsive carbon nanotubes, 3D printed through a conductive extruder to build up electricity during the printing process. The specialized technology can be applied to numerous open FFF/FDM 3D printer platforms.
“Essentium is excited to partner with BASF to propel 3D printing into the realm of functional parts,” Essentium President and CTO Blake Teipel told 3DPrint.com. “In the last several years, the additive manufacturing community has witnessed BASF significantly invest in 3D printing. Today, we witness that commitment furthered through their collaboration with Essentium. By creating high tech 3D printing filaments with BASF resins inside, Essentium is confident that FDM 3D printing is solidifying its position as an ideal solution for industrial applications. We believe that through our partnership with BASF, the future is bright for all of FDM.”
“Making the right partnerships are a key element in unlocking the true potential of additive manufacturing,” Kara Noack, Head of BASF’s 3D-Printing business in North America, told 3DPrint.com. “BASF’s collaboration with Essentium is truly pushing the innovation envelope by enabling the creation of functional parts using FFF technology. Combining both companies core strengths and technical expertise will help create the unexpected in 3D printing. This is a ‘win-win’ situation for industrial customers everywhere.”
To learn more about the collaboration and Essentium’s FlashFuse technology, check out the video below:
3DPrint.com will be catching up with Essentium during RAPID + TCT next week in Pittsburgh to learn more from the source about FlashFuse technology and the company’s plans for the future. Discuss in the BASF Essentium forum at 3DPB.com.