German chemicals and plastics producer Evonik (Essen; www.evonik.com) is expanding its 3D printing technologies in partnership with US start-up NXT Factory (Ventura, California; www.nxtfactory.com). The focus of the two-way collaboration is to develop ready-to-use high-performance materials that will enable the California start-up to launch its technology on the market with a corresponding material portfolio. To this end, Evonik plans to release its high-temperature polymer powder PA 613 on NXT Factory’s “QLS 350” platform in the first quarter of 2020.

The powder-based 3D printing technology platform is based on a patented laser light engine designed for automated round-the-clock operation, a system said to fully enable the potential of Industry 4.0 by taking additive manufacturing from prototyping to low- and medium-volume production. The printer’s user-friendly design leverages an autonomous guided vehicle (AGV) feature that allows the powder bed to be cooled outside the machine and moved autonomously to the de-powdering station. This, Evonik said, “significantly improves productivity.” QLS 350 was also designed to process high-temperature materials such as Evonik’s PA 613 polymer.

Thomas Große-Puppendahl, head of the Additive Manufacturing innovation growth field at Evonik, said NXT Factory’s new technology offers additional possibilities for the German group’s polymer formulations and is a “perfect fit” for its ready-to-use concept for strategic material development. He added that Evonik’s goal is to provide new material systems in cooperation with customers and partners to further diversify the market for 3D printing materials and drive it toward serial production.

Evonik claims to be the world leader in producing polyamide 12 powders, which have been used in additive manufacturing technologies for more than 20 years. In addition to PEEK filament and PA 12 powders, its portfolio includes flexible PEBA powders and co-polyesters, along with additives ranging from dispersants and flow improvers to reactive modifiers. The group is spotlighting its 3D printing products and technology at the “Formnext 2019” (www.formnext.com) trade fair for additive technologies, which continues through 22 November in Frankfurt / Germany.