Materials

New 3D printing materials from CRP, 3DVerkstan, CELLINK and Stratasys

We’ve rounded up some of the latest 3D printing materials developments and releases, including a renewable cellulose based 3D printing filament, and new bioinks for the engineering of skin tissues.

Windform composite passes flammability and radiation tests

CRP Technology is an Italian producer of high-performance composite materials. Its Windform range, designed for laser sinter 3D printing, has been used in Italy’s first electric motorcycle and TuPOD, the first fully 3D printed satellite. Windform has recently passed two tests, the UL 94 flammability test and a VUV test. The tests confirm Windform’s suitability for aerospace and automotive applications.

UL 94 is a flammability standard by Underwriters Laboratories. The standard determines whether a material extinguishes or spreads flame once ignited. Windform XT 2.0, SP, GT and LX 3.0 materials received an HB rating, meaning horizontal samples between 1-3mm in thickness burned at a rate of less than 76mm a minute.

In the VUV test, samples of Windform LX 3.0 and SP were exposed to VUV radiation for 36 continuous hours, without showing any signs of degradation.

A motorcycle fuse holder in Windform LX 3.0. Photo via CRP Technology.
A motorcycle fuse holder in Windform LX 3.0. Photo via CRP Technology.

3DVerkstan and add:north to develop new 3D printing filaments

3DVerkstan Nordic is a Swedish distributor of Ultimaker, Formlabs and Markforged 3D printing equipment in the Nordic and Baltic regions. The company is now working with add:north, a Swedish producer of filament, to jointly develop new 3D printing materials. As part of the agreement, 3DVerkstan will become the Nordic/Baltic distributor of add:north’s range of materials.

3DVerkstan CEO Daniel Ljungstig says that together the companies will:

“be able to develop and market new and unique materials, that enable our customers to print products that have previously been impossible.”

Renewable, recyclable 3D printing filaments

UPM produces renewable and recyclable industrial materials. The company has released a new biocomposite for 3D printers, UPM Formi 3D, using cellulose fibers and biopolymers. Formi 3D will be produced and sold in granule form to producers of 3D printing filaments.

UPM is marketing the following features of Formi 3D:

  • A matte finish, and a surface that feels “natural” to the touch.
  • Engineered to flow well through small nozzles for 3D printing fine details.
  • Fast cooling and low shrinkage grant dimensional stability, and the ability to be used for large-scale prints.
  • A self-supporting molten stage enables round or complex shapes to be produced without the use of a support material.
  • “Wood like” post-processing characteristics, such as the ability to be finely sanded, reduced paint absorption and easy gluing with PVAC.
Butterfly printed in UPM's Formi 3D filament. Picture via UPM.
Butterfly printed in UPM’s Formi 3D filament. Picture via UPM.

Global collaboration produces latest CELLINK bioinks

CELLINK, a Swedish manufacturer of 3D bioprinters and bioprinting materials, are releasing seven new bioinks and three new kits, each targeted at specific research needs.

The bioinks and kits have been produced and standardized through collaboration with researchers in over 400 labs spanning 40 countries.

The bioinks released include:

  • CELLINK GelMA A and GelMA C, two GelMA blends which the company says have eliminated the risk of nozzle clogging and widened the printability window for 3D bioprinters without thermal control capabilities.
  • CELLINK GelMA H, contains biomolecules that bind to and release growth factors or morphogens.
  • CELLINK Fibrinogen and Fibrin, two ready to print bioinks that mimic the native wound healing environment.
  • CELLINK SKIN and SKIN+ developed for the engineering of dermal tissues.

The new kits include:

  • CELLINK Support Kit, which permits researchers to bioprint previously unprintable low viscosity bioinks.
  • CELLINK VASKIT algorithms for the generation of vascular network geometry for applications such as drug screening and oncology research.
  • CELLINK GelMA Kit, enabling researchers to develop and tailor their own GelMA based bioinks.

CELLINK has partnered with CTIBIOTECH, a French regenerative medicine research company. CTI BIOTECH is using a CELLINK BIO X bioprinter to create tumor tissue models to investigate new treatments for cancer patients. Last year 3D Printing Industry spoke to Erik Gatenholm, CELLINK’s CEO and co-founder, about the BIO X, and its range of applications.

A sample 3D bioprinted ear model. Photo via CELLINK
A sample 3D bioprinted ear model. Photo via CELLINK

Stratasys PEKK material for FDM additive manufacturing

Stratasys has launched a 3D printable PEKK suitable for FDM 3D printers. The material is called Antero 800NA. Stratasys claims Antero 800NA “outperforms other high-performance thermoplastics with its superior chemical resistance and ultra-low outgassing. In addition, the material possesses high temperature resistance and exceptional wear properties.”

Applications for Antero 800NA include aerospace and automotive

 

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Featured image shows a butterfly printed in UPM’s Formi 3D filament. Picture via UPM.