BASF’s New Forward AM Corporate Brand & Expanding 3D Printing Materials Portfolio

In one week, formnext 2019 will begin in Frankfurt, and BASF 3D Printing Solutions (B3DPS), a subsidiary of BASF New Business GmbH, is joining many other companies at the top AM trade fair, bringing its expanded product range and a new corporate brand presence: Forward AM.

The company says that the “Forward” in the new name stands for “future-oriented, leading-edge materials and technology,” and I think we all know what AM means. The logo features an arrow symbol, with a baseline of “Innovating Additive Manufacturing” to show the company’s approach to industrial 3D printing.

“Forward AM provides superior materials and solutions with the goal to lead Additive Manufacturing. With our access to the full spectrum of BASF’s material know-how and our extensive end-to-end services portfolio, we meet our customers highest requirements,” the website states.

Under this new brand, B3DPS offers service solutions and materials for the whole AM value chain – starting with the product idea all the way to serial manufacturing – and will keep working toward its goal of propelling industrial scalability in additive manufacturing.

Forward AM’s large industrial materials portfolio includes advanced plastic and metal filaments, the latest photpolymers, and materials for powder bed fusion 3D printing. It includes “the entire virtual engineering service spectrum,” according to a company press release, from design concept and simulation, 3D printing, and finishing, and finally scanning and testing.

In addition, an advanced flexible coating will be added to the B3DPS materials portfolio starting in Q1 2020. Available in black, white, metallic silver, and transparent, it can be used in special applications, and will perfectly complement flexible materials like the elastic Ultrasint TPU 01, which was created with HP for its Jet Fusion technology.

Forward AM’s thermoplastic Ultrafuse filament portfolio is also growing, as the company will begin test-marketing Ultrafuse TPU 95A, Ultrafuse ABS ESD, and Ultrafuse PEI 9085. Sample volumes will be available this January, and larger amounts will be provided at the end of Q1 2020. Specialists will also be presenting a new ceramic filament at formnext.

Speaking of formnext, Forward AM will also be showcasing some of its various application highlights and components made for customers, such as a full-size, 3D printed surfboard made with Ultrafuse rPET recycled filaments, at the event. Large-format 3D printed façade elements – roughly one meter across and two meters tall – will also be on display at the B3DPS booth, along with automobile engine brackets the company created with Daimler. Polyamide Ultrasint PA6 MF material was used to make the brackets, due to its great printability, robustness, and rigidity.

Company experts at formnext will demonstrate the value add, and potential of, these materials for 3D printing applications. Attendees can also learn more about the various economic advantages of industrial 3D printing through use-cases, like the Ultracur3D camera housing, which underwent a production economics analysis with Origin. Finally, the Forward AM team is taking a step forward with 3D printed footwear along with select partners, and will present the results at the event.

Learn more about Forward AM, and its new 3D printing materials, at the B3DPS booth D21, Hall 12.1, at formnext from November 19-22.

[Images: BASF]

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