Cubicure & Evonik Develop One Component Resin System For Flexible Polyesters Through Hot Lithography

Cubicure and Evonik continue on within the 3D printing realm, leading the evolution of materials science with research and development of polyester resins. Focusing on additive manufacturing processes, this joint partnership is engaged in producing resin for Hot Lithography (HL) technology, with their results to be presented at Formnext 2019.

HL technology will allow Cubicure to offer a new and unique way of manufacturing via SLA 3D printing with high-molecular, viscous resins—expanding the ‘chemical process window’ for the future of SLA printing; in fact, in their latest press release, Cubicure states that these new polymers will create the potential for an entirely new material system.

While Cubicure is headquartered in Vienna and is centered around additive manufacturing with polymers, Evonik offices are situated around the globe, with over 32,000 employees involved in the development of specialty chemicals and materials. Known as a pioneer in creating materials for use in AM processes, the Evonik R&D team is now using HL as their platform for producing polyester resins that are light curing.

“The Hot Lithography technology developed by Cubicure is an interesting option for manufacturing components that meet the exacting standards of industrial applications,” said Prof. Stefan Buchholz, the executive director of Evonik Creavis GmbH. “We have been using this platform for the development of next-generation light-curing resin systems for a while. For this purpose, we rely on internally supplied, custom-made components such as oligomers, specialty monomers, and suitable additives.”

Currently, Evonik is developing a one-component resin system (1K) with the Cubicure team. In comparison to 2K systems, there is no mixing required on the part of the user, and the ‘pot life’ is not limited, meaning continuous production practices are ensured for AM components.

“The joint strategic development project with Evonik is already in an advanced state. We are pleased to expand our material portfolio by flexible photopolymers in the future. A 1K system based on polyesters is an important building block on our way to stable and scalable additive production processes,” said Robert Gmeiner, CEO and co-founder of Cubicure.

The new polyester resin demonstrates elastomer-like material properties, suitable for applications like sealings and grommets, as well as shock absorbers, protectors, handles, and even the soles of shoes. Will you be attending FormNext in Frankfurt? If so, check out the Cubicure booth D.48 in Hall 11.1 from November 19-22.

The study of materials science is a fascinating one—and even if you are not an industrial user, you may find yourself immersed in continually growing options for 3D printing and additive manufacturing. Manufacturers around the world continue to develop a range of materials from shape memory polymers to continuous carbon fiber composites, and a variety of resins from ceramic to those derived from plants.

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