Industry Predictions for 2020
The 3D printer trade expands every year. Possibilities, which deliver the additive print technology with thermoplastic materials shaped for industry, astonish. The business is in continual development, and the need for the next innovations is increasing. The main idea of spreading the material layer by layer until the right shape is built may appear simple. While thinking of prototyping applications, it sure is, and there are no difficulties in this these days. The 3D print has entered into the high-end tools processes as a support for production lines, maintenance and service, and more and more often as an alternative to injection molding or cutting processes – for smaller series.
If we want to predict directions of development of 3d print technology with thermoplastic materials – let’s start with today’s state and see how it will progress (within the margin of the next year).
MATERIALS
The main criteria which define one’s industry is a material needed to make a product, but while saying of 3d print, the main criteria becomes the features of a particular substance.
The light materials like polymers known as nylons are reinforced with carbon fiber or cellulose – thanks to this, the printed detail has lightness and durability that can compare with an aluminum one. Slimming of systems consisted of metal parts by changing the material of which the single elements are made to a competitive one, heat, chemicals, and impact-resistant modern polymers like PEI, PEEK or PEKK became the constant direction, which will develop further.
The industry in which the 3D print with thermoplastic materials where the precise and personalized approach to detail is needed to develop is in the field of medical applications. Already biocompatible materials are used in bone grafts.
Work towards the development of materials of different features simultaneously accepted by the aggressive body environment and free from defects of previously used ones will undoubtedly be very advanced.
