Californian 3D printing startup Origin and leading global chemical company Henkel have added a new fire-resistant photopolymer to their respective open material portfolios. Compatible with the Origin One, this new resin is the product of a partnership between the two parties signed in February this year.
The news also follows the launch of Henkel’s Loctite materials earlier this week, with 3D printing on-demand available as part of the ‘Loctite powered by Shapeways’ program.
Philipp Loosen, Head of 3D Printing at Henkel, comments, “The development of our new fire-resistant material is a real breakthrough innovation exceeding the properties of all currently available materials for DLP systems on the market.”
“Our open materials platform was specifically designed to enable a wide range of our resin portfolio for use in additive mass production,
“Together with Origin we have proven our capabilities to unlock the transformative power of 3D printing towards industrial manufacturing.”
An open materials approach
Announced in May 2019, Henkel has committed to working with 3D printer manufacturers and system providers to broaden the available materials in the UV curing sector. Working within this sector, Origin is on such partner, which also has an open material approach.
Prior to the launch of the Origin One at RAPID + TCT 2019, Origin gradually built up a network of leading materials partnerships including one with Royal DSM, and another with BASF.
“Since its inception, we have been committed to an open materials approach,” comments Origin CEO, Chris Prucha. Specifically relating to the new fire-resistant formulation, Prucha adds, “We were able to specifically program the Origin One to meet the environmental conditions needed to cure the material in a way that activates Henkel’s innovative chemistry, creating 3D printed parts that set a new standard for fire resistance.
“It’s a perfect example of how open collaboration between technology providers and materials companies should work, and we’re excited about the opportunities it creates for our clients and their end users.”
A new ‘threshold setting’ fire-resistant photopolymer for 3D printing
The new photopolymer from Henkel, named Loctite 3955, complies with fire safety standard UL 94V-0 and the aerospace 12 and 60 second vertical burn tests. Just recently, the material also passed smoke and toxicity testing making it the first FST photopolymer available on the market. According to the partners, the product “sets a new threshold for fire resistance” in 3D printing materials.
Ken Kisner, Innovation Lead and Founder of Molecule Corp. which was recently acquired by Henkel and also worked on this material development, concludes, “For a long time, materials have been a big limiting factor in additive manufacturing. We’re committed to solving that piece of the puzzle.
“Our scientists aren’t just contributing chemistry, they’re also leveraging the material science data that we generate to generate new technologies at a fast pace.”
The new fire-resistant photopolymer from Henkel will be showcased at the company’s booth at Formnext 2019 from 19 – 22nd November. Visitors to the show can find Henkel in hall 12.1 at booth C41.
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Featured image shows a selection of parts 3D printed in the new fire-resistant photopolymer from Henkel and Origin. Photo via Henkel
