Held every three years in Germany, the K Trade Fair is a major exhibition for the plastics and rubber industry. In response to the booming development of 3D printing , leading global material suppliers compete to showcase their 3D printing materials . The 2019 K Trade Fair attracted 225,000 visitors from 165 countries and more than 3,300 exhibitors from around the world, including the Ultimaker 3D printing materials alliance of as many as 80 members.
"The large crowds at the 2019K show reflect the huge emerging materials market in modern times," said Paul Heiden, Vice President of Products at Ultimaker . "We are pleased to see 3D printing taking a forward-looking position among raw material suppliers." In addition to the Ultimaker Materials Alliance, the event also showcased the latest applications of additive manufacturing, such as SLA photopolymerization and SLS powder sintering , all contributing to the development of the 3D printing industry.
Lehvoss Group used the Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle to print the new LUVOCOM® 3F cable at the event. It is suitable for high-performance industrial applications and comes in four different materials, with PAHT® and PET as the main materials. Two of them are carbon fiber reinforced, which is highly processable, not easily deformed, and durable and stable.
Arkema, a French company, creates more added value in terms of durability, sustainability, and design. On-site, they used the new elastic nylon Pebax material to print insoles and midsoles in the Ultimaker S5 ; and the fluoropolymer filament Kynar to 3D print automotive parts and consumable components.
Adrien Lapeyre, the company's Global 3D Printing Market Manager, emphasized: "The 2019K trade show focused heavily on sustainable materials, which aligns with our FFF 3D printing material philosophy. The final parts 3D printed for our clients using Ultimaker received a tremendous response, prompting us to explore more related applications. We believe that 'extreme worlds require extreme materials,' and our collaboration with Ultimaker 3D printers has demonstrated a higher level of quality."
Not to be outdone, DSM also used the Novamid® ID 1030-CF10 to print Ducati motorcycle parts in the Ultimaker S5 , demonstrating how 3D printing can provide an alternative production method for the automotive industry.
Swiss company Clariant also shared its vision for a circular economy, waste reduction, and plastic recycling at the exhibition, offering eight materials at the Ultimaker Cura “marketplace,” including glass-reinforced or carbon fiber-reinforced PA6, 66, PETG, and ESD-safe materials, etc.
Iglidur, a product of Germany's Igus GmbH, offers two highly durable materials with lifespans, suitable for applications ranging from product prototyping to small-scale manufacturing. Niklas Eutebach, a development engineer at Igus GmbH, stated, " 3D printing applications have garnered attention across numerous industries, reflected in the large volume of services we provide to our customers daily, and this accelerates the development of more emerging materials to meet market demands."
BASF, in its presentation at the exhibition, emphasized how the " Ultimaker Materials Alliance" enables new and faster industrial applications through FFF 3D printing. Huntsman, the latest partner in the Ultimaker Materials Alliance, showcased IROPRINT F 80213 filament, a TPU with a Shore A hardness of 85A; it offers lower friction, overcoming the printing difficulties of typical TPUs and providing a new option for the footwear industry.
Exploring these new materials can be easy. Download the latest version of Ultimaker Cura for free, and you can find the official best 3D printing parameters in the "Marketplace" to easily achieve stable printing results. Alternatively, you can refer to high-quality 3D printing outsourcing services. We will continue to share the latest information on 3D printing and manufacturing, so please like and follow our fan page to get the latest news!
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