材料

BigRep and BASF securing strategic agreement, deepens connection with 3D printing industry

BigRep, large format 3D printing specialists, andBASF, a global materials company will develop industrial 3D printing materials for BigRep systems.

The partnership was initially announced during formnext 2017 and today’s news confirms a final agreement has been reached.

René Gurka, CEO of BigRep said, “We strive to provide our customers with the most innovative 3D printing solutions using BigRep equipment, and now BASF industrial materials help take us to the next level.”

“BASF is the strongest materials partner. Together, we can help our customers solve their challenges with innovative 3D printing processes.”

Volker Hammes, Managing Director of BASF 3D Printing Solutions GmbH added, “The forward-looking partnership with the combined expertise of both companies enables our customers to realize industrial applications faster.”

Later this year BigRep plan to launchan enclosedBigRep One running 10x fasterand with a new extruder, designed to allow a wider range of materials to be 3D printed.

The BigRep 3D printing extruder. Photo by Michael Petch.
A BigRep 3D printing extruder. Photo by Michael Petch.

BASF and the 3D printing industry

BigRep’s partnership with BASF extends the 3D printing activity seen at the world’s largest chemical company. In July 2017, BASF announced the creation of a dedicated 3D printing enterprise,BASF 3D printing Solutions GmbH。下个月的收购溢价3D printing filament maker Innofil3D was confirmed。BASF Ultrafuse 316LX filament is an interesting material, in that it can be used byFDM 3D printers to 3D print in metal, Apium Additive Technologies are a testing partner. are developing a technique calledFlashFuse for high-strength FDM 3D prints。This process uses BASF materials and electric welding.

BASF's Dr. Schillo presents Ultrafuse 316LX for fused layer modeling at 1st Munich Technology Conference. Photo by Michael Petch.
BASF’s Dr. Schillo presents Ultrafuse 316LX for fused layer modeling at 1st Munich Technology Conference 2017. Photo by Michael Petch.

For inkjet based 3D printing, BASF are working with Xaar. Xaar has several technologies including, TF Technology ink recirculation, High Laydown and high speed sintering. Together with XaarBASF has trialled newly developed photopolymers

BASF are also working with HP, under the open materials banner. HP believes that the key to wider adoption of 3D printing is providing a wide range of materials from a range of suppliers. In addition to BASF,a further 50 material supply companiesare part of the HP program.

HP 3D printing materials partners from Evonik and BASF. Photo by Michael Petch.
BASF’s Senior Business Development Manager for 3D Printing Kara Noack discussing the HP materials partnership. Photo by Michael Petch.

More details on the BigRep/BASF partnership coming soon

The specific details of the BASF/BigRep materials and 3D printing technology are still under-wraps for now. Speaking to 3D Printing Industry, Maik Dobberack, BigRep communication manager said, “As BASF is one of the biggest chemical companies with a lot of experiences we are expecting to work on a lot of different material developments. Mainly all will be related to plastic Filaments for now but you can imagine that this partnership opens an almost unlimited potential of possibilities.”

“现在我们只能说我们是certainly working on improving our printers and meeting our customer needs. Also the new partnership with BASF relates to new ways of development. We will keep you informed as soon there is something we can talk about.”

Don’t forget, nominations for the 2018 3D Printing Industry Awards close today,make your choices now

Protolabsis sponsoring the2018 3D Printing Industry Awards design competition。Submit your design for chance to win a 3D printer. Don’t forget to share your designs with us #3DPIAwards.

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