What was the challenge or problem to solve?
Binder Jetting is a 3D printing technique and manufacturing method that creates parts additively using a binder.
This is deposited on a metal powder, layer by layer following a 3D design. Once printing is complete, the resulting object is placed in an oven to remove the binder (debinding) and sinter the part. The result is a solid and functional metal part in record time.
What happens if we cannot use the existing binder on the market? The answer is easy: we manufacture it ourselves.
How was it addressed or what was the solution?
To this end, the technological innovation team conducted research to characterize the most commonly used binders. The compounds that best met the customer’s requirements were selected and different formulations were developed in order to make them printable, in this case for the specific printhead to be used. In addition to their printability, the bonding competence and ease of debinding and sintering were tested.
Once the process was optimized, a tool and methodology capable of creating prototypes of complex metal shapes in a short time and at a significantly lower cost than with traditional methods was available.
- Formulation of a customized binder for 3D printing of metals
- Study of binders on the market
- Optimization of printable and adhesive mixtures
