2. Content
Content
1 Introduction voxeljet technology_______________________ 1-1
1.1 Voxeljet technology in the past __________________________1-1
1.2 Today voxeljet operates in three fields____________________1-1
2 Applications ________________________________________ 2-1
2.1 Overview _____________________________________________2-1
2.2 Case Studies _________________________________________2-2
I
3. Introduction voxeljet technology
1 Introduction voxeljet technology
1.1 Voxeljet technology in the past
Voxeljet Technology was founded in 1999 with the aim of providing new generative
processes for production. The special know-how of the company consists of high-
performance ink jet printing technology and rapid manufacturing.
Initially Voxeljet developed a process that revolutionized mould making in the metal
casting area. With the type designation GS1500 now S15 a machine system was
created as the largest commercially available RP system in the world and
represents a class of its own with its unique productivity. Using this equipment sand
casting moulds can be generated without tools and fully automatic from data sets.
The system technology is implemented successfully worldwide at customers such
as BMW AG and Daimler AG.
1.2 Today voxeljet operates in three fields
1.2.1 We run Europe’s leading service centre for on-demand manufacture of cast
moulds and cores. Equipped with five S15 sand printing systems and two
VX800’s we can reduce the time from entering the dataset to the delivery of
the first mould parts to a minimum of 3 days! Cast parts are produced in less
than 2 weeks. We use molding material that is generally used in foundries e.g.
silica and furan resin. We therefore achieve mould and cast properties almost
identical to series production. The maximum size of moulds is currently 1.5 x
0.75 x 0.7 m. Small to medium quantities are the strength of the process. The
dispatch of moulds and cores throughout Europe is smooth and reliable.
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4. Introduction voxeljet technology
1.2.2 In the field of printing and dosing technology high-performance ink-jet systems
are developed and produced for the most diverse applications i.e. drug dosing
and labelling.
1.2.3 Industrial 3D printing systems for the manufacture of plastic components form
the latest product line. In this field our VX800 system is redefining the tried-
and tested 3D printing technique:
The parts are produced from applying a particle material in layers, which is
bonded together with a binding agent. The use of technical thermoplastics as
the source material is unique. Using high- performance printing technology,
the VX800 can build components as large as 850 x 450 x 500 mm with
outstanding resolution and surface quality. Its incredible build speed coupled
with its large building space makes the VX800 the perfect choice for fast and
economic production of your prototypes and short runs.
Pic. 1 VX800
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5. Applications
2 Applications
2.1 Overview
2.1.1 voxeljet technology produces plastic models according to 3D dataset on order
basis. Through implementing a newly developed 3D printing process the user
benefits from key time and cost savings.
The models are produced from applying a particle material in layers, which is
stuck together with a binding agent. For material we use PMMA a plastic
material that is perfectly suitable for display models, functional models as well
as lost models.
2.1.2 The material properties can be set by infiltration with various materials,
depending on customer need. The models are sturdy and have a fixed
surface, which allows very filigree geometries to be produced and makes
handling the parts easier.
2.1.3 We deliver plastic parts "on demand" throughout Europe, fast and reliably.
Small to medium quantities are the strength of the process, batch size 1 can
also be economically viable. The complexity of your parts only plays a minor
role. After sending the dataset you can have your model in hand in just 5
working days.
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6. Applications
2.2 Case Studies
2.2.1 Innocast – Turbo Charger
voxeljet supplies Innocast with Turbo Charger Models for Investment Casting
Innocast GmbH, headquartered in Langenfeld, Germany, specialises in
producing complex cast parts made from the widest range of alloys. "We do
not just achieve high precision when handling very complex geometries; our
manufacturing times are also very short," reports Bernd Heinrich, Managing
Director of Innocast.
Pig. 2 Turbocharger
In the case of a turbo charger for a German car manufacturer, Innocast chose
to produce the casting patterns using technology from voxeljet. Intense
cooperation over many years and numerous successfully completed projects
link voxeljet and Innocast.
The manufacture of complex parts is all part of a day's work for both
companies. In the case of the turbo charger, the geometry is exceedingly
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7. Applications
challenging since the housing and the manifold are integrated. Standard
production of pattern equipment and core tools for sand casting were not an
option because of the complex structure and short delivery deadline.
The VX500 and VX800 3D printing systems from voxeljet apply a 0.15 mm
layer of PMMA powder to the build surface. The high resolution printer head
selectively prints it with binder according to the turbo charger's layer data. An
initialising computer, which receives STL data from 3D CAD programmes,
generates this layer data. The VX machine repeats both layering steps until
the overall height of the turbo charger or required part is achieved. After the
building process is complete, the job-box is removed from the unit via a rail
guiding system. The unit can then be restarted as soon as a second job-box
has been inserted. First, the mould parts are embedded in loose powder and
left to set for several hours after printing. An industrial vacuum cleaner then
removes the surrounding powder in the unpacking station. Compressed air
cleans the mould parts completely in the VCL1400 finishing compartment
before they are hardened in a circulating air oven. The 3D printing system
feeds residual powder back into the process over a recycling line. The turbo
charger model was made of PMMA powder and infiltrated with wax to achieve
the required specifications. The operator, however, also has the option of
infiltrating the part with other materials.
The large 850 x 450 x 500 mm build space made it possible for the VX800 to
produce twenty turbo charger models at once. From the moment the CAD data
was entered, it took only 48 hours to produce the cleaned and fully dried
finished Plexiglas model. "We were very surprised to receive the 20 turbo
charger models we commissioned in such astounding quality after just one
week," explains Heinrich.
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