Arburg to introduce Freeformer for additive manufacturing in North America

ARBURG is set to make its presence felt at this year's NPE with a total of ten exhibits on high-end injection molding technology and industrial additive manufacturing. The exhibits target to present soltuions on an entire production spectrum from one-off parts to mass-produced items. The 650 sq.m. stand W3729 (Level 2) in the West hall will show off five Allrounder injection molding machines and two Freeformers. These machines will demonstrate sophisticated applications and innovative processes covering topics such as lightweight construction, multi-component injection molding, automation and LSR processing. Another five Allrounder machines will be featured on partner stands. Arburg will also hold several presentations on the topic of additive manufacturing.

“For us, the NPE is the most important trade fair in the US, at which we will present product premieres, innovative processes and sophisticated applications to the trade visitors, according to Friedrich Kanz, Managing Director of the North American Arburg subsidiary.

An important step is the launch of Freeformer for industrial additive manufacturing in America. With two Freeformers, Arburg is set to demonstrate how fully functional plastic parts can be additively manufactured from standard granulate using the patented Arburg Plastic Freeforming process based on 3D CAD data, without a mold. As with injection molding, the granulate is first melted in a plasticizing cylinder. Plastic droplets are applied layer-by-layer onto a moving part carrier via the nozzle of a stationary discharge unit by means of high-frequency piezo technology at a specified duty cycle of 60 to 200 Hertz.

The second discharge unit can be used for an additional component in order to produce, for example, a part in different colors, with special tactile qualities, or as a hard/soft combination. At the NPE, a Freeformer will combine an elastic standard TPU material with a special support material – a first in additive manufacturing. Possible applications include e.g. bellows, hoses, sleeves, or flexible components for robotic grippers. The supporting structures can subsequently be removed in a water bath.