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Introduction The rapid evolution of 3D printing technology has ushered in a new era of manufacturing possibilities, enabling the creation of complex and customized objects with unprecedented ease. As this technology continues to advance, the selection of suitable materials becomes crucial in determining the success of 3D printing applications. Two popular contenders in the realm of 3D printing materials are Nylon PA-12 and Polypropylene. In this blog post, we will delve into a comprehensive comparison of these two materials, exploring their characteristics, advantages, limitations, and real-world applications to help you make informed decisions when choosing the right material for your 3D printing projects. Nylon PA-12: Properties and Applications Nylon PA-12, also known as polyamide 12, is a versatile and widely used material in 3D printing. It belongs to the nylon family of polymers, known for their excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and thermal stability. Nylon PA-12 exhibits the following key properties: Strength and Durability Nylon PA-12 is renowned for its exceptional tensile strength and impact resistance. Its high mechanical properties make it suitable for producing functional prototypes, end-use parts, and components subjected to stress or mechanical loads. Flexibility The material's inherent flexibility and elongation at break make it suitable for parts requiring some degree of elasticity. This attribute is particularly advantageous for applications involving snap fits, living hinges, and wear-resistant components. Chemical Resistance Nylon PA-12 exhibits resistance to various chemicals, including oils, greases, and most solvents. This property makes it suitable for applications in industries such as automotive, chemical processing, and oil and gas. Thermal Stability Nylon PA-12 boasts a relatively high glass transition temperature (Tg), which ensures stability at elevated temperatures. This characteristic is beneficial for applications requiring heat resistance, such as under-the-hood automotive parts and industrial equipment. Surface Finish While Nylon PA-12 can produce smooth surfaces, achieving a high-quality finish may require post-processing steps like vapour smoothing or ceramic coating. However, advancements in 3D printing technology and techniques are continually improving surface finish straight out of the printer. Polypropylene: Properties and Applications Polypropylene (PP) is another widely used thermoplastic polymer with a variety of applications in traditional manufacturing. Its unique combination of properties makes it an attractive choice for 3D printing applications. Key properties of polypropylene include: Low Density Polypropylene is a lightweight material with a low density, making it suitable for applications where weight reduction is crucial. This property is particularly advantageous in the aerospace and automotive industries. Chemical Resistance Similar to Nylon PA-12, polypropylene exhibits excellent resistance to chemicals and solvents, making it suitable for applications involving contact with corrosive substances. Fatigue Resistance Polypropylene demonstrates high fatigue resistance, allowing it to withstand repetitive loads and mechanical stresses without undergoing significant degradation. This property is advantageous for parts subjected to cyclic loading, such as hinges and springs. Semi-Flexible to Flexible Polypropylene offers a range of flexibility, from semi-flexible to fully flexible, depending on the specific formulation used. This flexibility makes it suitable for applications requiring living hinges, snap fits, and ergonomic designs. Surface Finish Polypropylene's surface finish is generally smoother compared to some other 3D printing materials, which can reduce the need for extensive post-processing. However, achieving a high-quality surface finish may still require additional steps. Comparing Nylon PA-12 and Polypropylene Mechanical Properties Both Nylon PA-12 and Polypropylene offer excellent mechanical properties, but Nylon PA-12 typically has higher tensile strength and impact resistance. This makes Nylon PA-12 a preferred choice for parts subjected to heavy loads and mechanical stresses. Flexibility Polypropylene has a similar level of flexibility compared to Nylon PA12. Chemical Resistance Both materials exhibit excellent chemical resistance, with slight variations depending on the specific chemicals involved. Engineers and designers should consider the exact chemical exposure the part will face to determine the most suitable material. Thermal Properties Nylon PA-12 generally has a higher glass transition temperature than most formulations of polypropylene, making it more suitable for applications requiring heat resistance. Weight Polypropylene's low density gives it an advantage in weight-sensitive applications, such as those in the aerospace and automotive industries. Post-Processing and Surface Finish Polypropylene often requires less post-processing to achieve a smooth surface finish compared to Nylon PA-12. However, advancements in 3D printing technology and post-processing options are improving the surface finish of both materials. Printability and Compatibility Nylon PA-12 is compatible with a wider range of 3D printers due to its popularity and established use. Polypropylene may require specific printer modifications or formulations to ensure successful prints. Real-World Applications Nylon PA-12 Applications Functional Prototypes: Nylon PA-12's strength and durability make it ideal for creating prototypes that closely resemble the final product in terms of mechanical performance. Automotive Components: Nylon PA-12's chemical resistance and thermal stability make it suitable for manufacturing under-the-hood components, brackets, and connectors. Industrial Machinery: The material's toughness and resistance to wear and tear are advantageous for producing components used in heavy machinery and industrial equipment. Polypropylene Applications: Lightweight Parts: Polypropylene's low density makes it an excellent choice for manufacturing lightweight components in industries such as aerospace and automotive. Living Hinges: Polypropylene's fatigue resistance and flexibility make it well-suited for producing living hinges in products like packaging, containers, and enclosures. Medical Devices: Polypropylene's biocompatibility and chemical resistance render it suitable for producing certain medical devices and equipment. Conclusion When it comes to 3D printing applications, choosing the right material is essential for achieving desired mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties. Nylon PA-12 and Polypropylene both offer unique advantages and are suitable for a variety of applications. Nylon PA-12 excels in its mechanical strength and durability, while Polypropylene stands out for its lightweight nature and flexibility. The choice between these materials depends on the specific requirements of your project, including load-bearing capacity, chemical exposure, flexibility, and surface finish. As technology advances, both materials will likely continue to improve, providing even more options for successful 3D printing applications. As you embark on your 3D printing journey, carefully consider the attributes of Nylon PA-12 and Polypropylene to select the material that best aligns with your project's objectives and specifications.

Introduction In the realm of thermoplastic elastomers, two prominent contenders have emerged as leading options for various industrial applications: TPU BASF 95A and TPU Lubrizol 88A. These materials belong to the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) family, which is highly regarded for its exceptional combination of flexibility, durability, and processing ease. In this comprehensive comparison, we will delve into the key characteristics, performance attributes, and application areas of TPU BASF 95A and TPU Lubrizol 88A. By the end of this analysis, you will have a clear understanding of how these materials stack up against each other and which one might be better suited for your specific project. TPU BASF 95A: Unraveling the Versatility TPU BASF 95A, manufactured by BASF Corporation, is a popular member of the thermoplastic polyurethane family. Its '95A' designation signifies its hardness on the Shore A scale, indicating a material that is moderately soft yet exhibits sufficient rigidity for many applications. This material is celebrated for its exceptional mechanical properties, offering an appealing balance of tensile strength, elongation at break, and abrasion resistance. Strengths of TPU BASF 95A Mechanical Properties TPU BASF 95A boasts impressive mechanical properties, making it suitable for applications requiring both flexibility and strength. Its high tensile strength ensures it can withstand considerable stretching and pulling forces without succumbing to deformation or breakage. Abrasion Resistance The material's remarkable resistance to abrasion makes it ideal for applications that involve constant friction and wear, such as industrial belts, gaskets, and seals. Chemical Compatibility TPU BASF 95A exhibits good chemical resistance, enabling it to withstand exposure to a wide range of chemicals and solvents without undergoing significant degradation. Processing Ease This TPU grade can be easily processed using various conventional thermoplastic processing techniques, including injection molding, extrusion, and multi jet fusion with the HP 5200 line of 3D printers. Versatile Applications TPU BASF 95A finds its use across an array of industries, including automotive, consumer goods, footwear, and industrial manufacturing. Its adaptability to different environments and requirements makes it a versatile choice. TPU Lubrizol 88A: Unleashing Performance TPU Lubrizol 88A, developed by The Lubrizol Corporation, is another formidable player in the TPU landscape. With a Shore A hardness of 88A, this material leans slightly towards the harder end of the TPU spectrum, offering unique advantages in specific applications. Its distinct combination of properties makes it a preferred choice for applications that demand resilience, stability, and processing efficiency. Strengths of TPU Lubrizol 88A Stability and Resilience TPU Lubrizol 88A's hardness lends it greater stability and resilience, making it suitable for applications where dimensional stability and consistent performance over time are critical. Clarity and Aesthetics This TPU grade often exhibits excellent clarity and can be tinted to achieve specific colors. This feature is highly advantageous for applications requiring an appealing visual appearance, such as transparent parts or products with vibrant colors. Improved Heat Resistance TPU Lubrizol 88A tends to have better resistance to elevated temperatures compared to softer TPUs, expanding its usability in applications involving exposure to heat or sunlight. Ease of Processing Similar to TPU BASF 95A, TPU Lubrizol 88A is easily processable using standard thermoplastic processing techniques, including multi jet fusion 3D printing with the HP 5200 line of 3D printers. Specific Applications TPU Lubrizol 88A is often chosen for applications like clear tubing, consumer goods, medical devices, and industrial components that require a balance of mechanical performance and aesthetics. Comparative Analysis: TPU BASF 95A vs. TPU Lubrizol 88A Mechanical Performance TPU BASF 95A offers excellent tensile strength and elongation at break, making it suitable for applications demanding dynamic loads and stretching. TPU Lubrizol 88A, with its hardness and stability, excels in applications requiring resilience and consistent mechanical properties over time. Abrasion Resistance Both TPUs exhibit commendable abrasion resistance, but TPU BASF 95A might have a slight edge due to its slightly softer nature. Chemical Compatibility Both materials display good chemical resistance, making them reliable choices for various industrial environments. Processing Ease TPU BASF 95A and TPU Lubrizol 88A offer similar processing ease, simplifying manufacturing and design processes. Temperature Resistance TPU Lubrizol 88A's enhanced heat resistance makes it a preferred option for applications that involve exposure to elevated temperatures. Applications TPU BASF 95A's versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from automotive parts to consumer goods. TPU Lubrizol 88A's clarity and aesthetic appeal make it well-suited for transparent components, medical devices, and products where appearance matters. Conclusion In the world of thermoplastic polyurethanes, the choice between TPU BASF 95A and TPU Lubrizol 88A depends on the specific requirements of the application at hand. TPU BASF 95A offers a balanced combination of mechanical properties, abrasion resistance, and versatility, while TPU Lubrizol 88A excels in applications requiring stability, resilience, and aesthetics. Both materials have proven their worth across various industries, contributing to the advancement of manufacturing, design, and innovation. As technology evolves and new challenges arise, these TPUs will likely continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of materials engineering. Learn More BASF TPU products: https://www.basf.com/global/en/products/plastics-rubber/thermoplastic-polyurethanes.html Lubrizol TPU products: https://www.lubrizol.com/Engineered-Polymers/Products/TPU Try TPU today Interested in trying TPU flexible polymer? Order BASF TPU 01 through Tempus 3D's free online quote and ordering system, or send a custom request for TPU BASF 95A or TPU Lubrizol 88A through Tempus 3D's Contact page.

Manufacturing end-use plastic parts with 3D printing technology is increasingly common as the materials and technologies become more advanced. High-performance coatings such as Cerakote are also becoming increasingly popular to improve the aesthetics and performance of the parts. Although powder coat is not commonly used on plastic, it is a familiar finish that can be an excellent baseline to use as a comparison for those who have not tried Cerakote before. What is Cerakote? Cerakote is a thin-film ceramic coating developed by NIC industries. Originally used on metal for military applications, Cerakote is becoming increasingly popular to improve the looks and performance of 3D printed plastic parts. Cerakote extremely durable and it can increase wear resistance, corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, and hardness of the base material. Cerakote is applied as a paint, then air dried or heat-cured to chemically bond it to the surface of the part. Cerakote is a very thin compared to powder coat, with minimal effect on the dimensions of the coated part. What is Powder Coating? Powder coating is a finishing process in which dry powder material is applied to a surface, then heat-treated to create a hard coating. Powder coating can provide both functional and decorative surface coatings in a range of finishes and textures that are not as achievable by liquid coating methods. Cerakote Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages Very thin, with a thickness of approximately 0.002”. Suitable for applications with a low dimensional tolerance. High abrasion resistance. Stable in UV light. Resistant to chemicals and fluids. High resistance to flaking and peeling. In a Taber abrasion test on Cerakote H-146 Graphite Black, Cerakote lasted nearly twice as long as the nearest competitive finish and 24 times as long as the furthest competitive finish. Disadvantages More expensive than powder coating. Not the best choice if a thick or textured finish is desired. Powder Coating Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages Lower cost than Cerakote. Provides a thicker finish, if this is what is desired. Disadvantages Generally not used for plastics, due to the heat-curing process. Prone to chipping or peeling. Colors can be faded by UV light. Conclusion Overall, Cerakote and Powder coat are both excellent finishes and useful to enhance the performance, durability and looks of your end-use parts. When compared to powder coat, Cerakote is thinner, more resistant to chipping and scratching, and more stable in UV light. Cerakote also has excellent resistance to chemicals and liquids. When choosing a finish for plastic parts Cerakote is generally the finish of choice, as it is specifically formulated for a variety of plastics.

The rapid advancements in 3D printing technology and materials over the past decade have made it increasingly popular for product development and manufacturing end-use products. One of the most popular materials for industrial 3D printing is nylon because of it’s excellent material properties and versatility. However, there are a variety of types of nylon used for 3D printing, the two most common being Nylon PA11 and Nylon PA12. This article explains the key differences between the two when 3D printed with HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology. About Nylon Nylons are polyamides made from reacting carbon-based chemicals in a high-temperature, high-pressure environment. This chemical reaction, known as condensation polymerization, forms a polymer made of long chains of molecules which give nylon it's strength, flexibility and long-lasting durability. There are different varieties of nylon, each with unique properties. Their chemical compositions are identified with specific naming conventions. With Nylon PA11 and PA12, the PA stands for Polyamide, and the numbers identify the ratio of carbon atoms in their chemical components. Chemically, Nylon 12 and Nylon 11 are very similar, but the difference in carbon atoms results in two distinct plastics, each with unique benefits. Nylon PA11 and Nylon PA12: How do they compare? Nylon PA12 is a synthetic polyamide created from petroleum materials. Compared to Nylon 11, Nylon 12 has greater resistance to temperature extremes and can stay strong in below-freezing temperatures. Nylon 12 is also stiffer than Nylon 11, is resistant to cracking and is extremely long-lasting. Nylon PA11 is a bioplastic polyamide created from vegetable and castor oil, which means that Nylon 11 has a lower environmental impact than Nylon 12. Overall Nylon 11 has greater elasticity and thermal resistance than Nylon 12. Both are stable in UV light and weather. Nylon PA12 properties Most commonly used nylon for 3D printing applications. Chemically resistant to oils, fuels, grease, solvents, hydraulic fluids, salts, and water. Excellent resistance to heat. High wear resistance. Commonly used for a variety of uses, including fully functioning end-use parts and as an alternative to injection-molded plastics. Nylon 11 properties Chemically resistant to hydrocarbons, ketones, aldehydes, fuels, alcohols, oils, fats, mineral bases, salts and detergents. Low water absorption. Impact resistant. Good resistance to heat. Commonly used for functional parts that require high strength or impact resistance. Uses include mechanically loaded functional prototypes, automotive interiors, and moving assemblies (such as hinges). Conclusion The excellent material properties of Nylon have made it one of the most commonly used plastics for manufacturing and 3D printing. Understanding the differences between Nylon PA12 and Nylon PA11 can ensure you get the best results for your end-use application. Ready for your next project? To learn more about the material properties and end-use applications of nylon and other engineering-grade 3D printing plastics which are 3D printed with HP Multi Jet Fusion technology, check out Tempus 3D’s materials comparison page. If you are ready to create your next project, visit our online quote and ordering page for pricing and ordering details. . Tempus 3D is a Canadian 3D printing service bureau which specializes in manufacturing affordable, high-quality engineering-grade plastics using industry-leading HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology. Sources: www.hp.com/us-en/printers/3d-printers/products/multi-jet-technology.html, www.weerg.com/guides/nylon-pa-11-vs-pa-12. Images courtesy of HP.

Injection moulding and 3D printing are the two most commonly used methods for manufacturing plastic parts, but it can be hard to decide which is most suitable for your project. Each manufacturing process has its own advantages and can be used together as complementary manufacturing methods. This guide compares the optimal uses of each. How do 3D printing and injection moulding work? 3D printing 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is a process of making three-dimensional solid objects from a digital file. Essentially it prints by adding material one layer at a time, from the bottom up. Additive manufacturing can produce shapes and parts that are either difficult or even impossible to create using other fabrication methods, and an increasing variety of materials are available for use with this manufacturing process. Injection moulding Injection moulding uses moulds to manufacture parts. First, a mould is made of a temperature-resistant material in a reverse image of the part being produced. Once the mould has been manufactured, plastic is injected into the mould and allowed to cool, to produce the final part. With this process, multiple parts can be manufactured at once. How do 3D printing and injection moulding compare? Production volume The volume of the production run is a major deciding factor when deciding whether to use 3D printing or injection moulding. For high-volume production of identical parts (1000+) injection molding is the most effective and affordable. For low volumes (10-100+), 3D printing is more cost-effective. For mid-volume production, other factors including design complexity, turnaround time and customization must be taken into consideration. Design complexity There are many factors which need to be considered when designing for injection moulding, as the part must be able to be removed from the mould when it is complete. A complex design must be moulded in many pieces and subsequently fit together, and delicate areas must be treated with care. Generally, more complex designs are more expensive. With 3D printing, the parts are built layer-by-layer, which gives the designer a great amount of freedom when designing the part. A complex part is as easy and affordable to 3D print as a simple design. Production time Injection moulding has a long lead time because a mould must be designed and built for the part being manufactured. It generally takes 10-20 days to design and build the mould before the parts can be produced. With 3D printing, the CAD file is simply uploaded to the printer and is ready to build, with delivery times as low as 24 hours. Customization When injection moulding, a new mould must be built each time the design is changed. This can cost anywhere from ~$100 for a 3D-printed low-volume injection mould to $100,000+ for a complex steel mould for mass production. This makes design changes very expensive and time-consuming. With 3D printing, all modifications are made with 3D modelling software. The CAD file can be sent directly to the 3D printer to be manufactured, making modifications or custom designs very quick and easy to produce. This makes 3D printing very useful for applications such as designing and testing prototypes, creating customized consumer goods, and creating medical devices formed to the human body. Material strength The injection moulding process creates parts in one single piece, making it strong across all dimensions. With 3D printing the parts are built layer by layer, making the final part weaker along the layer lines. More recently developed 3D printing processes have minimized these weaker layers, and provide strength close to injection moulded parts. Parts requiring strength in a certain direction can be oriented in the print bed to provide strength in the desired direction, as shown in this video where a 3D-printed chain link is used to lift a car. Surface finish Injection moulded parts have a wider variety of finish options than 3D-printed parts. Injection moulded parts often undergo additional surface finishing to hide imperfections such as the flow lines, knit lines, sink marks and shadow marks that are a result of injection moulding. 3D printed parts can have a textured surface finish integrated into the design, but the finished part can show slight layer lines. These lines can be minimized if the part is oriented properly in the print bed. An additional step of post-processing is often used to smooth the parts to improve aesthetics or material properties. 3D printing and injection moulding in the manufacturing cycle Often 3D printing and injection moulding are both used in the product development and manufacturing cycle. A product can be designed and tested with 3D printed prototypes, and initial production runs can be manufactured with 3D printing until the production volume is high enough to justify the expense of injection moulding. In this case, the part can be designed for the injection moulding process so the transition between the two manufacturing processes is seamless. 3D printing is again used in the end-stage lifecycle of a product to create legacy parts for older or discontinued equipment. 3D printing can also be used to create moulds for injection moulding, or create unique parts such as jigs and fixtures. Summary Conclusion Both injection moulding and 3D printing serve different and complementary purposes in manufacturing. When choosing which one to use, it is important to consider which factors are most important, including cost, production volume, delivery time, material properties and your stage in the design and manufacturing process.

Cerakote Ceramic coating is a world-leading thin-film coating that is applied to plastic, metal and other materials to enhance their physical performance and appearance including scratch resistance, wear resistance, waterproofing, chemical resistance, and UV protection. Industrial Applications of Cerakote The performance-enhancing properties of Cerakote make it a logical choice for a wide variety of industries and manufacturing processes. For example, Cerakote is used for corrosion protection in the oil and gas industry, heat resistance in the aerospace sector, performance coatings in the automotive industry, extending the life of sporting and hunting equipment, and increasing the useful life of jigs and fixtures. Recommended applications include tools, consumer goods, eyeglasses, sporting equipment, robotics, electronics, fresh and saltwater applications and other applications where a durable performance coating is required. A wide variety of manufacturers and suppliers rely on Cerakote coatings including Boeing, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Lockheed-Martin, US Department of Defence, Zipline, Ford, and Lamborghini. Benefits of Cerakote Destructive testing has shown the superiority of Cerakote to other standard finishes. For example, a Taber abrasion wear test was performed by NIC Industries to compare the durability of Cerakote to 6 other popular coatings. In this test, Cerakote lasted nearly twice as long as the nearest competitive finish and 24 times as long as the furthest competitive finish. Another study tested the impact resistance of Cerakote. In this test, a 1 oz slug was fired from a 12-gauge shotgun at a piece of metal plate treated with Cerakote. The area behind and surrounding the impact site showed no cracking or loss of adhesion, even in the areas of greatest deformity. Cerakote in Additive Manufacturing of Plastic Parts Cerakote is an increasingly popular finish used in additive manufacturing because it’s ability to enhance the performance and aesthetics of 3D printed plastic parts. This diversifies the potential end-use applications of the parts; for example, Cerakoted plastics are emerging as faster, less expensive alternatives to metal parts, especially for small-to-medium volume manufacturing. An example is provided in this case study, where HP and Aerosport re-designed 2 different metal assemblies to be 3D printed with Nylon 12. Each was able to reduce assembly time, weight, cost of manufacturing and overall production times by a significant amount. To validate the performance of Cerakote when applied to 3D-printed plastic parts, the Cerakote Technical Training Team completed ASTM testing on Nylon PA12 plastic coated with 2 different types of Cerakote finishes. The tests showed excellent results, including no chipping or cracking in cross-hatch adhesion tests, and minimal effect after 24 hour immersion in water, acetone or diesel. Get Started With Cerakote Coating for 3D Printed Parts Tempus 3D is a qualified Cerakote applicator located in British Columbia, Canada. Tempus offers Cerakote finishing for clients across Canada and the US, both as an extension of it’s additive manufacturing business and as an independent service. If you are interested in learning more about Cerakote,and it's use in manufacturing you can visit our guide to Cerakote at www.tempus3d.com/cerakote-finish-for-3d-printed-parts. To request a quote, please contact our team at info@tempus3d.com or through our contact us page.

With every 3D printing technology there are strategies to get the best result with your print. When designing parts for HP Multi Jet Fusion, it is possible to achieve very fine dimensional accuracy, with Cpk values comparable to injection molding. HP has provided a set of guidelines to help maximize the accuracy of your design. Minimum Specifications The recommended minimum dimensions for printed features are between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm Minimum hole diameter 0.5 mm Minimum shaft diameter 0.5 mm Minimum printable font size 6 pt Minimum printable features or details (width) 0.1 mm Minimum clearance 0.5 mm Minimum slit between walls/embossed details 0.5 mm Embossed and Engraved Details Text, numbers or drawings should be at least 1 mm deep. Additional Considerations When designing for detail, there are several other considerations to keep in mind. When possible, place small features with critical dimensions—such as pins, holes, and raised texts—in the same plane. Design parts with a smooth cross-section transition. When possible, lighten parts and minimize the chance of warpage by hollowing them or adding internal lattices. Avoid long, thin, flat parts with a ratio of length to width greater than 10:1. Avoid predominantly long and thin curved segments in your part design. Avoid ridges and ribs on large, flat areas. Learn more about Designing for Additive Manufacturing To learn more about how to design for additive manufacturing, visit Tempus 3D's design guide where you can find more best practices tips plus how to design for aesthetics, interlocking parts, and hinge design. Additive Manufacturing with Tempus 3D When you are ready to put your idea into reality, please reach out to the team at Tempus 3D. As one of only a handful of HP Certified Multi Jet Fusion 3D Printing Professionals in Canada, Tempus 3D has the technology, skills and service to provide you with consistently high-quality parts, quickly and affordably. You can access online quotes through Tempus 3D's instant quote page, or learn more about our materials, services, and access case studies and customer success stories through our website at www.tempus3d.com.

Whether you are building prototypes or end-use parts, your material choice will depend on the characteristics you want your finished object to have. Learn about the materials available for HP Multi Jet Fusion, the advantages of each, and how they compare*. One of the most important questions to answer with 3D printing is what material is best fit for your specific end-use application. 3D printing allows for a wide range of materials to be used, each of with a variety of characteristics and capabilities. With HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), you have a variety of plastic polymers to choose from. The Multi Jet Fusion priinting process produces consistently precise, robust results, but each material choce has specific advantages including stiffness, elongation at break, water resistance, chemical resistance and biocompatibility. These can be sub-categorized as rigid polymers, which have a low-to-medium stiffness, elongation, and rigidity; and elastomeric polymers, which have a high elastic elongation and high flexibility to minimize breaking or cracking. Rigid 3D Printing Polymers HP Nylon PA12 HP Nylon PA12 is an all-purpose 3D printing material ideal for producing strong, low-cost, quality parts and functional prototypes. Robust thermoplastic produces high-density parts with balanced property profiles and strong structures. Provides good chemical resistance to oils, greases, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and alkalies. Ideal for complex assemblies, housings, enclosures, and watertight applications. Biocompatibility certification - meets USP Class I-VI and US FDA guidance for Intact Skin Surface Devices. Designed for production of functional parts across a variety of industries. Achieves watertight properties without any additional post-processing. Reliably produce final parts and functional prototypes with fine detail and dimensional accuracy. Learn more about Nylon PA12 Case Study - Dustram Chipping Hammer Case Study - Air Force Velocity Snowmobile Parts HP Nylon 12 Glass Bead Nylon 12 Glass Bead is ideal for producing stiff, dimensionally stable, quality parts. Filled with 40% glass bead to provide dimensional stability. Ideal for applications requiring high stiffness like enclosures and housings, fixtures and tooling. Designed for production of functional parts across a variety of industries. Engineered to produce common glass bead applications with detail and dimensional accuracy. Learn more about Nylon PA12 Glass Bead HP Polypropylene (PP) HP Polypropylene is ideal for functional parts with low moisture absorption and chemical resistance. Versatile material ideal for a wide range of automotive, industrial, consumer goods, and medical applications. Excellent chemical resistance and low moisture absorption makes this material ideal for piping or fluid systems and containers. Outstanding welding capabilities with other polypropylene parts produced with traditional methods like injection molding. Biocompatibility—meets ISO 10993 and US FDA guidance for Intact Skin Surface Devices Statements. Learn more about HP Polypropylene HP Nylon PA 11 Nylon PA11 is ideal for producing ductile, quality parts. Provides excellent chemical resistance and high elongation-at-break. Impact resistance and ductility for prostheses, insoles, sports goods, snap fits, living hinges, and more. Bio-compatibility: meets USP Class I-VI and US FDA guidance for Intact Skin Surface Devices. Renewable raw material from vegetable castor oil (reduced environmental impact). produce final parts and functional prototypes with fine detail, and dimensional accuracy. Flexible 3D Printing Polymer Elastomeric polymers have a high elastic elongation and high flexibility to minimize breaking or cracking. BASF Ultrasint TPU Ideal for producing flexible, functional parts. Excellent rebound resilience and elongation-at-break. Optimal mechanical resistance at low temperatures. Ideal for applications like winter sports equipment, car interiors, robotics and grippers, and fluid systems. High level of detail. Robust parts withstand abusive environments. Learn more about Ultrasint TPU01 Explore TPU use cases HP 3D Printing Materials Comparison Chart The following chart provides a quick comparison of materials produced with the HP Multi Jet Fusion 5200 3D printer. HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D Printing with Tempus 3D When you are ready to put your idea into reality, please reach out to the team at Tempus 3D. As one of only a handful of HP Certified Multi Jet Fusion 3D Printing Professionals in Canada, Tempus 3D has the technology, skills and service to provide you with consistently high-quality parts, quickly and affordably. You can access online quotes through Tempus 3D's instant quote page, or learn more about our materials, services, and access case studies and customer success stories through our website at www.tempus3d.com. *All information and images courtesy of HP.

The design freedom and quality materials provided by HP Jet Fusion 3D Printing Solutions allow Prensilia and Elastico Disegno to create a robotic hand called ‘Mia’ In 2012, Prensilia set itself the goal of developing a robotic hand casing that was light, highly functional, aesthetically pleasing and structurally solid to protect the internal mechanical and electronic components of the device. For this project, Prensilia collaborated with Elastico Disegno to help them overcome the limits set by traditional production methods and other filament-based 3D printing technologies, such as the inability to perfectly adapt the external covers to the shape of internal mechanics, while maintaining exceptional surface quality. Elastico Disegno chose to use PTC Creo because it is able to design mechanical and anatomical parts in a single environment, thus accelerating development and minimizing the number of components required, flexibly size the product to adapt to any variation of the components, communicate directly with the technical development departments, and simply exchange data with the customer to speed up design operations. The result of this innovative project is Mia, a robotic hand equipped with sensors and connected to a trans-radial titanium implant (between the elbow and the wrist). The cables and electrodes that connect the muscles and nerves pass through the two bones of the forearm (the ulna and the radius) before reaching the robotic hand, returning the information captured by the fingers and improving movement. Due to the complexity of most of Mia's components, Prensilia and Elastico Disegno saw additive manufacturing as the only valid technology for this project. The external coatings of the hand and fingers are made with HP Multi Jet Fusion technology using HP nylon PA 12 material, which combines strength and structural support, as well as a surface finish able to guarantee the desired aesthetics from Prensilia. These components include wearing parts, such as buttons and snap fasteners, which have passed all functionality tests. The soft parts of Mia's fingertips are made from silicone molds, also made by HP Multi Jet Fusion and Nylon 12. According to Prensilia, replacing metal molds with plastic molds has reduced the investment required and production times, without compromising performance and external finish. Marco Controzzi, Founder of Prensilia, described their reaction to the final product. “The first time we tried Mia on a patient, the reaction was, ‘How light!’,” she said. “We reached the desired level of robustness thanks to the improvement of the internal mechanics and by 3D printing the external casing with HP Multi Jet Fusion, which allows for the combination of rigidity and surface finish.” Controzzi also sees the ability to rapidly iterate as a major advantage of HP Multi Jet Fusion technology. “Another important advantage offered by 3D printing to technological frontier products such as ours is the possibility of offering customers updated products,” Controzzi said. In 2019, Mia received the Red Dot Award, one of the world's largest and most important design awards for product design. Additive Manfuacturing with Tempus 3D As one of only a select few HP Certified Production Professionals in Canada, Tempus 3D can help you achieve the advantages of additive manuafcturing with Multi Jet Fusion. Contact us today to learn more about our on-demand 3D printing service. Note: original case study and photos courtesy of HP Read the full HP case study Explore more case studies and articles with Tempus 3D Printing Learn more about HP Multi Jet Fusion aditive manufacturing services with Tempus 3D

Each 3D printing technology has a unique set of design recommendations to ensure the best result. We would like to share the design specifications provided by HP for their HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology to help you achieve the best results possible. These design guidelines apply to all Multi Jet Fusion materials, including Nylon PA12, Nylon PA12 Glass Bead, Polypropylene, and TPU Flexible Polymer. What is HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)? Before starting, it helps to understand what HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is and how it differs from other 3D printing technologies. According to HP, The MJF printing process is a combination of Powder Bed Fusion and binder jetting technologies. Unlike SLS or FDM, which use a point-by-point printing approach, HP MJF technology can print a complete layer at the same time. A layer of powder material is spread on the print bed, then fusing and detailing agents are deposited at voxel-level on top of the powder. These define the regions of the layer that need to be fused or protected from fusion respectively. The bed is heated and the areas where the fusing agent was deposited are fused together.. Once these fused layers cool down, they solidify to form the designed 3D-printed part. Wall thickness When you’re creating a 3D design for Multi Jet Fusion, the minimum recommended wall thickness is 0.3mm for short walls oriented in the XY plane, and 0.5mm for short walls oriented on the Z plane. If you design your part to be optimized for a specific orientation, make sure you make this clear to the person or company printing your part. Cantilevers When printing a cantilever, the minimum wall thickness depends on the aspect ratio, which is the length divided by the width. For a cantilever with a width of less than 1mm, the aspect ratio should be less than 1. There are no specific recommendations for widths of 1mm or larger, but for parts with a high aspect ratio, it is recommended to increase the wall thickness or to add ribs or fillets to reinforce the part. Connecting Parts Sometimes a pair of printed parts need to fit together to form the final application. To ensure correct assembly, a good starting point would be to leave a gap between the interface areas of these parts of 0.4 mm (+/- 0.2 mm for each part). Moving Parts As a general rule, spacing and clearance between faces of parts printed as assemblies should be a minimum of 0.7mm. Parts with walls which are 30mm or thicker should have a larger gap between each side to ensure proper performance. Parts with walls that are thinner than 3mm thatcan have a clearance as low as 0.3mm, but this depends on the design. Testing may be necessary to ensure quality performance. Thin or Long Parts Thin and long parts are susceptible to non-uniform cooling, which may cause uneven shrinkage along the printed part. This can warp the part from it's original shape. The potential for warpage can be minimized with good design practices. A general guideline is that any part with an aspect ratio higher than 10:1, an abrupt change in its cross-section, or a predominantly long and thin curved segment is susceptible to warpage. These include thin and long parts; parts with abrupt changes in cross-sections; and thin and curved surfaces. To minimize the possibility of deformation, there are several guidelines to follow when designing the part. These include: Increase the thickness of long walls to reduce their aspect ratios. Avoid ridges and ribs on large, flat areas. Re-design parts with high potential stress and smoothen their cross-section transitions. Lighten the parts by hollowing them or by adding internal lattices. Hollow Parts For large or thick parts, it is recommended to minimize the risk of warping by hollowing the part or adding an internal lattice structure. The minimum recommended wall thickness is 2mm, but better mechanical properties are achieved with thicker walls. The optimum choice is dependent upon the application. Hollowing can be easily achieved with professional software such as SolidWorks, Materialise Magics, Autodesk and Netfabb. Depending on the end-use application, the part can be left solid, or drain holes can be added to remove the powder in the post-processing process. Ensure the drain holes are at least 4 mm wide if there is a single drain hole, or 2+ mm wide for multiple escape holes. When placing the holes ensure they are placed in a way that forced air can be used to effectively clean out trapped powder. If no escape holes are provided and powder remains within the part, the part will be heavier and stronger than with the fully hollow option. Leaving the powder trapped within a part also saves post-processing time since powder extraction is not required. Lattice structures Lattice structures are used in thick or large parts to minimize the chance of warping or for producing lighter parts. Replacing solid materials with a lattice also reduces the cost to 3D print the part. This design optimization strategy involves hollowing a part and replacing the internal solid mass with a lattice structure that provides mechanical integrity. This re-design can be automated with professional software such as Materialise Magics or nTopology. Additional Considerations Material Choice Each type of material that is 3D printed with HP Multi Jet Fusion has different properties. Select your material based on the properties you desire such as strength, flexibility, biocompatibility, weather resistance, or chemical resistance. File Resolution The resolution of your file is an important factor to consider when 3D printing your part. If your file is too low resolution it may lack quality, and if the resolution is too high then the file size may be too large for the printer to read. Keep your file size under 100MB if you can. HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D Printing with Tempus 3D For additional advice on how to design for HP Multi Jet Fusion, you can take a look at the guidelines provided by Tempus 3D on our design guidelines page. Here you will find details regarding dimensional tolerances for different design features, guidelines to optimize your print accuracy and aesthetics, and details such as how to design for interlocking parts and hinges. As an HP Certified Multi Jet Fusion 3D Printing Professional, Tempus 3D has the technology, skills and service to provide you with consistently high-quality parts, quickly and affordably. When you are ready to put your idea into reality, you can access online quotes through Tempus 3D's instant quote page, or learn more about our materials, services, and access case studies and customer success stories through our website at www.tempus3d.com. note: all photos and design guidelines are provided by HP.

How Biesse has increased design freedom, improved speed-to-market, and met customer requirements more quickly and more profitably with industrial 3D printing technology. The Biesse Group was founded in Pesaro, Italy in 1969 by Giancarlo Selci. The company offers modular solutions from the design of turnkey systems for large furniture manufacturers to individual automatic machines and workstations for small and medium-sized businesses. The company has a variety of subsidiaries which design, manufacture and market a full range of technologies and solutions for the wood industry, including furniture, windows and other wood components. Biesse has also recently expanded to plastic processing machines, with solutions designed specifically for this growing market. Challenge “Within Biesse, we have a business unit entirely dedicated to the supply of machines that allow edging“, says the company's technical and prototype office manager, Marco Mencarini.“They allow the application of plastic or wood to the edges of the furniture. As you can imagine, our machines have to support a diverse set of assembly needs. To support them, we need to create a wide range of highly customized parts and tools.” Some Biesse edgebanding machines operate at very high speed and consist of many moving parts that help the customer guide the edge through the assembly using supports, channels and guides. In many cases, these production aids have to be tailored to the beading material used.The challenge they faced was the ability to quickly and affordably design and build these customized pieces. Solution Biesse uses a variety of manufacturing processes in it's product development, including 3D printing. “We’ve worked with 3D printing since late 1990’s, primarily for rapid prototyping,” says Mr. Mencarini. “The HP Jet Fusion 3D Printing Solution allows us to do much more, including helping us bridge the lead-time gap of making metal molds and even allowing us to produce final parts, especially in short-runs that would be impossible to profitably manufacture otherwise.” As 3D printing has matured, they have continually explored new opportunities. When HP launched its first HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printers, Biesse became one of the first to adopt an HP Jet Fusion 3D 4200 printer. The company chose HP because HP's Multi Jet Fusion technology meets a variety of needs. In addition to simple models, Biesse wanted a more efficient way to create functional prototypes of its various mechanical components, including connecting rods, pulleys, sprockets, couplings and other parts. An example is the gear box pictured below. The part initially required multiple manufacturing technologies, including injection molding and computer numerical control (CNC) machining. Biesse's engineers wanted to assess whether the part could be redesigned using 3D printing. The design and manufacturing team optimized the geometry of the part in ways that couldn't be made with traditional manufacturing processes, such as CNC machining and injection molding), creating a part that was more efficient and less expensive part to produce usign HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology. Result With creative part redesign and HP Multi Jet Fuison 3D printing processes, The Biesse team was able to reduce the lead times required to create and improve their products. They found significant productivity gains over other other 3D printing technologies and over traditional manufacturing techniques. This technology allows Biesse to beta-test a series of parts in hours rather than weeks. The quality of the parts features excellent surface quality, allowing Biesse to sandblast and paint parts comparable to other parts that are injection molded or computer numerically controlled (CNC) machined. Biesse compared the cost and time savings to manufacture a series of 100 of these mechanical parts with HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), CNC machining, and injection molding. Their results showed significant advantages of MJF over traditional manufacturing processes, as summarized below. HP Multi Jet Fusion CNC Injection Molding cost: 100% cost: 300% cost first year: 700% lead time: 1 day lead time: 20 days cost from year 2: 20% lead time: 90 days This case study, originally published by HP and Biesse, shows the potential for additive manufactuing with HP Multi Jet Fusion technology to revolutionize the manufacturing industry, saving companies significant time and money. Additive Manufacturing with Tempus 3D As one of only a select few HP Certified Production Professionals in Canada, Tempus 3D can help you achieve the advantages of additive manufacturing with Multi Jet Fusion. Contact us today to learn more about our on-demand 3D printing service, or get an online quote. Note: Case study and photos courtesy of HP and Biesse. Read the full HP case study Explore more case studies and articles with Tempus 3D Printing Learn more about HP Multi Jet Fusion aditive manufacturing services with Tempus 3D

Montreal-based medical services innovator uses 3D printing technology to develop custom form-fitted and breathable back braces to improve patient comfort and outcomes. A medical services innovator based in Montreal, Quebec approached Tempus 3D with a back brace design that they wanted to have manufactured. After comparing 3D printing service providers, they approached Tempus 3D for a solution. Challenge The biggest challenge with this project was the large size of the brace. Not many industrial 3D printers are capable of manufacturing such a large piece, and when a part has large, flat areas there is a risk of the piece warping during the manufacturing process. A second consideration was to choose a medical-grade material with the strength, durability and flexibility to provide comfortable support. Solution The team at Tempus 3D was able to leverage HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology, which provides the class-leading build volume and part quality required to successfully manufacture this design. With this printer all of the parts for the brace could all be fit into one print run, which saved manufacturing time and cost. ​ The greatest risk in the production of the brace was the potential for the pieces to warp, because the difference in temperatures across large, flat pieces can bend them as they cool. The team at Tempus 3D collaborated with experts at HP and Hawkridge Systems to ensure the part orientation and print settings were optimized for the best result. The other consideration in building the brace was to select a material that was suitable for a medical device used on or near the skin. Nylon 12 was the material of choice because it has high tensile strength, is waterproof, and is certified biocompatible. It also has enough flexibility to accommodate the patient's movement without losing its support. Result In collaboration with their manufacturing network, the team at Tempus 3D was able to produce a brace that exceeded the client's expectations in terms of finish, color, accuracy, and cost. We at Tempus are excited to help local businesses meet their manufacturing goals as a part of the industry 4.0 network which allows innovators across sectors to bring products to market quicker and in a more environmentally friendly way. Learn more about designing for 3D printing with HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology Explore industrial plastics available through Tempus 3D Learn more about the advantages of industrial 3D printing with HP Multi Jet Fusion technology Explore more case studies and articles