Covestro and voxeljet announce partnership to advance additive manufacture in series production

Rhea-AI Summary

voxeljet and Covestro are partnering to enhance large-scale additive manufacturing with a new material-machine solution. They aim to streamline production by integrating materials and processing technology, thus reducing barriers for adoption on production floors. The collaboration focuses on developing a Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) powder for High Speed Sintering (HSS), promising economic production for customized applications. The companies plan to showcase their advancements at Formnext 2021 in Frankfurt from November 16 to 19.

Positive

• Collaboration aims to simplify additive manufacturing processes for customers.
• Development of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) powder is a significant advancement.
• Potential to enhance productivity and economic viability in large-scale production.

Negative

• None.

LEVERKUSEN, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Materials company Covestro and industrial 3D printer manufacturer voxeljet are collaborating to develop a material-machine combination for economic large series additive manufacturing. With High Speed Sintering (HSS), voxeljet combines the advantages of two existing additive technologies: selective laser sintering and binder jetting, giving the benefit of both SLS part properties and binder-jetting productivity.

After jointly developing and qualifying a Thermoplastic Polyorethane (TPU) powder for HSS, the two companies are taking their collaboration to the next level by bringing customers a seamless material-process solution for volume manufacturing of their specific applications.

"Typically, material and processing technology work separately in the value chain, with customers having to figure out how to make them work," said Geoff Gardner, Innovation Director Additive Manufacturing at Covestro. "Together with voxeljet, we want to remove what we believe is still a barrier for adopting AM on the production floor. Thanks to its size and speed, coupled with the constant layer time, HSS offers manufacturers an economic solution for series production."

Seamless material-process solution

voxeljet will contribute its knowledge with its large format VX1000HSS printer platform, and Covestro its expertise in designing functional materials, to develop a seamlessly working material-process solution that can be deployed for large scale manufacturing.

James Reeves, Global Director of Polymer Sintering (HSS) at voxeljet added: "This is a match of two companies strongly believing in really close collaboration across the additive ecosystem. The potential of HSS to process specialty powder materials is tremendous. By offering customers material choices, we accelerate their access to pioneering products."

Material possibilities that the companies are considering are TPUs, which are suited well for footwear and cushioning applications, as well as thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polpropylene (PP). The collaboration with voxeljet involves scaling new materials on the large-format, industrial manufacturing machine – VX1000HSS, currently accessible via voxeljet’s Early Access Beta Program.

If you are interested in collaborating in this program, please reach out – both companies will showcase their polymer powder materials and printers at Formnext 2021, Nov. 16^th-19^th in Frankfurt, Germany, in hall 12.1; Covestro at booth C11 and voxeljet at booth C129.

Abour voxeljet:

voxeljet’ s (NASDAQ: VJET) roots reach back to the year 1995 with the first successful dosing of UV-resins. In the context of a "hidden" project, initial 3D-printing tests are performed at the Technical University Munich. Our company was founded on May 5, 1999 as a spin-off from TUM in Munich with a clear vision in mind: to establish a new manufacturing standard by developing new generative processes for the series-production of complex components using 3D printing. In the beginning, operations were launched with four employees at the TUM. Today, we are a globally acting, leading provider of high-speed, large-format 3D printers and on-demand 3D printed parts to industrial and commercial customers. Components manufactured with the help of our technology are flying in space, make mobility more efficient and the production of new engineering solutions possible. To learn more visit our website www.voxeljet.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, or on Twitter.

About Covestro:

With 2020 sales of EUR 10.7 billion, Covestro is among the world’s leading polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative, sustainable solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. In doing so, Covestro is fully committed to the circular economy. The main industries served are the automotive and transportation industries, construction, furniture and wood processing, as well as electrical, electronics, and household appliances industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. At the end of 2020, Covestro has 33 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 16,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).

Learn more about legacy-DSM additive manufacturing on am.covestro.com and Covestro on www.covestro.com

Forward-looking statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports which are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211115005099/en/

Covestro

Dr. Frank Rothbarth

Telephone: +49 214 6009 - 2536

Email: frank.rothbarth@covestro.com



voxeljet AG

Frederik von Saldern

Telephone: +49 821 7483 - 447

Email: frederik.vonsaldern@voxeljet.com

Source: voxeljet

FAQ

What is the primary focus of the voxeljet and Covestro collaboration?

The collaboration is focused on developing a seamless material-machine solution for large-scale additive manufacturing.

What technology are voxeljet and Covestro using for their new manufacturing solution?

They are utilizing High Speed Sintering (HSS) technology combined with new TPU materials.

When and where will voxeljet and Covestro showcase their advancements?

They will showcase their advancements at Formnext 2021 in Frankfurt from November 16 to 19.

What materials are being developed by voxeljet and Covestro?

They are developing Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) and considering other materials like thermoplastic elastomers.

What benefits does High Speed Sintering (HSS) offer to manufacturers?

HSS offers economic solutions for series production by combining the benefits of selective laser sintering and binder jetting.