voxeljet, Dressler Group GmbH, Fraunhofer IPA and the University of Bayreuth Collaborate in Re-Processing of Discarded PA12 Powder for 3D Printing via High-Speed Sintering (HSS)
voxeljet AG, Dressler Group GmbH, and Fraunhofer IPA have successfully completed a material study demonstrating the recycling of waste PA12 powder from laser-based 3D printing systems. The study showed that reconditioned PA12 waste powder can be effectively processed using High Speed Sintering (HSS) technology on voxeljet's VX200 HSS platform, with material properties equal to or potentially exceeding those of fresh powder. This breakthrough addresses up to 50% of running costs in 3D printing operations and offers a sustainable solution for the additive manufacturing industry by reducing waste and operational costs.
voxeljet AG, Dressler Group GmbH e Fraunhofer IPA hanno completato con successo uno studio sui materiali che dimostra il riciclo della polvere di PA12 di scarto derivante da sistemi di stampa 3D basati su laser. Lo studio ha evidenziato che la polvere di PA12 di scarto recondizionata può essere elaborata efficacemente utilizzando la tecnologia di Sinterizzazione ad Alta Velocità (HSS) sulla piattaforma VX200 HSS di voxeljet, con proprietà del materiale equivalenti o persino superiori a quelle della polvere fresca. Questa innovazione affronta fino al 50% dei costi operativi nelle operazioni di stampa 3D e offre una soluzione sostenibile per l'industria della manifattura additiva riducendo i rifiuti e i costi operativi.
voxeljet AG, Dressler Group GmbH y Fraunhofer IPA han completado con éxito un estudio de materiales que demuestra el reciclaje del polvo de PA12 de desecho proveniente de sistemas de impresión 3D basados en láser. El estudio mostró que el polvo de PA12 reciclado se puede procesar de manera efectiva utilizando la tecnología de Sinterización de Alta Velocidad (HSS) en la plataforma VX200 HSS de voxeljet, con propiedades del material equivalentes o incluso superiores a las del polvo fresco. Este avance aborda hasta el 50% de los costos operativos en las operaciones de impresión 3D y ofrece una solución sostenible para la industria de la fabricación aditiva al reducir residuos y costos operativos.
voxeljet AG, Dressler Group GmbH, 및 Fraunhofer IPA는 레이저 기반 3D 프린팅 시스템에서 발생하는 PA12 폐기물 파우더의 재활용을 보여주는 소재 연구를 성공적으로 완료하였습니다. 연구에 따르면, 재처리된 PA12 폐기물 파우더는 voxeljet의 VX200 HSS 플랫폼에서 고속 소결(HSS) 기술을 사용하여 효과적으로 가공될 수 있으며, 재료 특성은 신선한 파우더와 동등하거나 잠재적으로 이를 초과하는 것으로 나타났습니다. 이 혁신은 3D 프린팅 작업의 운영 비용의 최대 50%를 해결하고 폐기물 및 운영 비용을 줄임으로써 적층 제조 산업에 지속 가능한 솔루션을 제공합니다.
voxeljet AG, Dressler Group GmbH et Fraunhofer IPA ont réussi à achever une étude sur les matériaux démontrant le recyclage des déchets de poudre PA12 issus de systèmes d'impression 3D basés sur le laser. L'étude a montré que la poudre de déchets PA12 reconditionnée peut être traitée efficacement en utilisant la technologie de frittage à haute vitesse (HSS) sur la plateforme VX200 HSS de voxeljet, avec des propriétés matérielles égales ou potentiellement supérieures à celles de la poudre fraîche. Cette avancée permet de réduire jusqu'à 50% des coûts d'exploitation des opérations d'impression 3D et offre une solution durable pour l'industrie de la fabrication additive en réduisant les déchets et les coûts opérationnels.
voxeljet AG, Dressler Group GmbH und Fraunhofer IPA haben erfolgreich eine Materialstudie abgeschlossen, die das Recycling von PA12-Abfallpulver aus laserbasierten 3D-Drucksystemen demonstriert. Die Studie zeigte, dass revidiertes PA12-Abfallpulver effektiv mit der Hochgeschwindigkeits-Sintertechnologie (HSS) auf der VX200 HSS-Plattform von voxeljet verarbeitet werden kann, wobei die Materialeigenschaften gleichwertig oder potenziell besser als die von frischem Pulver sind. Dieser Durchbruch senkt bis zu 50 % der Betriebskosten in 3D-Druckverfahren und bietet der additiven Fertigungsindustrie eine nachhaltige Lösung, indem er Abfälle und Betriebskosten reduziert.
- Successfully demonstrated recycling of waste PA12 powder, potentially reducing material costs by up to 50%
- Recycled material properties equal or exceed those of fresh powder
- Development of cost-effective and sustainable manufacturing solution
- None.
Circular economy marks major milestone: recycling nylon waste powder in 3D printing, addressing up to fifty percent of running costs
FRIEDBERG,
Figure 2 – Printed parts from reconditioned PA12 waste powder (Dressler Group) on voxeljet VX200 HSS, Source Fraunhofer IPA
The Challenge: PA12 Powder Degradation in Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Systems
In SLS systems, unprinted PA12 powder loses its ability to be reused due to high temperature exposure in the build area, which causes the polyamide chains to lengthen after condensation, negatively affecting powder flowability and melt viscosity. This makes the material difficult to process again via laser-based technologies, as the energy input from lasers is too short to process longer molecule chains accordingly. Therefore, comparably high powder refresh rates are necessary, accumulating waste and associated high disposal costs.
The collaborative study aimed to reclaim this used powder by processing it through voxeljet’s VX200 HSS platform. HSS technology, using an inkjet-based printhead and infrared (IR) heating, offers selective and thermally gentler energy input, allowing the polyamide to sinter gradually, enabling the reuse of this powder. This means a real tribute to circular economy in Additive Manufacturing.
Dressler Group, experts in powder design and manufacturing, processed the used PA12 powder to homogenize and recover key powder properties such as flowability and moisture, making it suitable for reuse in HSS.
“Recycling used PA12 powder can effectively reduce costs and support sustainability efforts in AM,” says Dr. Ing. Holger Leonards, Head of R&D at Dressler Group. “Our expertise in regenerating powder properties and handling of large powder volumes enables companies to reclaim this valuable material.”
“The VX200 HSS technology is an open-source system, allowing us to quickly change and adapt process parameters to any powder,” says Jan Kemnitzer, Research Team Lead at Fraunhofer IPA and adds “We were therefore able to quickly adapt the 3D printer to the material with consistent or improved results in part properties.”
“The results of this study are especially interesting for ink and printhead based technologies such as the HSS technology. The future possibility of processing this recycled powder on production platforms like the VX1000HSS will bring immense cost savings,” says Tobias Grün, Global Product Management at voxeljet. “Typically, 50 % of the running costs are attributable to powder costs. Thus, this development provides a huge effect on cost effectiveness while boosting a circular material flow, reducing waste.”
A Sustainable Solution for Additive Manufacturing
This study highlights the growing issue of excess PA12 waste powder within the additive manufacturing industry. By reclaiming this material for use in voxeljet’s HSS technology, companies can reduce waste, lower operational costs, and improve sustainability in their additive manufacturing processes.
First parts of this collaboration will be shown at the formnext trade show in
ABOUT VOXELJET
voxeljet’s 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 were performed at the Technical University Munich. Our company was founded on May 5, 1999 as a spin-off from TUM in
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ABOUT DRESSLER GROUP - THE GRINDING AUTHORITY
Since its foundation in 1978, Dressler Group has specialised and been comprehensively certified in the grinding and finishing of plastics for all key industries. At the same time, DG has always undertaken research and development. Our core values are quality, flexibility, innovation and service. As a long-term systems partner and problem-solver, DG is involved in customer processes from the outset, offering all types of grinding and complete warehousing, packaging, customs and shipping logistics from a single source. Both gram-based test grinding and individually specified large quantities are available – always exactly reproducible and just in time. With the Listen-Care-Evolve approach, we adapt to each customer’s needs, from standard grinding to custom further development. Visit www.dressler-group.com for further information.
ABOUT FRAUNHOFER IPA
With nearly 1 200 employees, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation, Fraunhofer IPA, is one of the largest institutes in the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. The total budget amounts to
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voxeljet PR/ Media:
Frederik von Saldern
Tel: +49 821 7483 447
frederik.vonsaldern@voxeljet.de
voxeljet Applications
Tobias Grün
+49 821 7483 454
tobias.gruen@voxeljet.de
Dressler Group PR
Claudia Rosenberger
Tel: +49 172 522 1399
Rosenberger@dressler-group.com
Dressler Group R&D
Dr.-Ing. Holger Leonards
Tel: +49 2225 9204 43
leonards@dressler-group.com
Source: voxeljet AG
FAQ
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