Arburg Develops High-Temperature Version of Freeformer 750-3X for Polymer 3D Printing

Arburg has developed a high-temperature version of its Freeformer 750-3X which can process Ultem 9085 original plastic granules. The build chamber can be tempered to 200°C, with plastification of the plastic granules taking place at up to 450°C. In comparison, the maximum temperature of the build chamber in the standard Freeformer 750-3x is 120°C.

The machine is well suited for the manufacture of geometrically intricate parts such as air distributors (ventilation ducts) for aerospace manufactured from original Ultem 9085 granulate. Ultem is just one example of a 3D printed polymer that requires high-temperature production.

The Freeformer 750-3X 3D is designed as an open system utilizing the Arburg Plastic Freeforming (APF) process for custom-configured additve manufacturing (AM). The system is said to meet individual user requirements by adjusting slicing, droplet size and process regulation to influence the layer-by-layer build process utilizing a broad range of materials.

The APF process is a unique AM material jetting method. In APF, a thermoplastic material is supplied as pellets, melted and selectively deposited as droplets, enabling the use of commercial materials in their original shape instead of filaments.

The 750-3X features a large build chamber which is approximately 2.5 times larger than that of the Freeformer 300-3X. It is well suited for the rapid series production of large components or several articles per construction order. Its printing and space configuration are optimized. The principle of material preparation remains the same in the Freeformer 750-3X, but the entire system — preparation and discharge units — has been optimized so the unit could be designed more compactly. From a strictly external point of view, the machine cannot be distinguished from the 300-3X, as it has the same external dimensions. However, the part carrier is around 2.5 times larger at around 750 m³.

The larger build chamber measures 330 × 230 × 230 mm. The temperatures are kept stable without any special air flow or circulation as a result of several technical innovations. These include melt pressure generators for dosing and injecting, which use servo motors from AMKmotion (an Arburg company). This enables the three discharge units to be positioned more closely to each other and in a more compact way. Due to advanced software features of the control system, it is possible to increase the printing speed considerably. For example, process-optimized latticed support structures can be created where the build time is up to 55% faster than with conventionally constructed ones, the company says.

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• Learn more about Arburg’s Freeformer printers, including the 750-3X 3D which features a larger build chamber. The Freeformer 750-3X 3D provides more space inside the build chamber for larger components.
   
• Read about Arburg’s Compact TiQ 5 Pro which offers versatile 3D printing for fiber-reinforced filaments. The TiQ 2 is particularly economical and well suited as an entry-level additive manufacturing solution because of its open material system.