igus provides fast custom parts with SLS for 3D printing services

As part of its 3D printing service, the motion plastics specialist igus now offers Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) with the wear-resistant high-performance plastic I3-PL in addition to the FDM method. Components that have complex geometries but need to be extremely strong can now be made quickly and at a low cost.

In industry, selective laser sintering (SLS) is currently one of the most widespread manufacturing methods in additive manufacturing.  A plastic component with exactly the right dimensions is created layer by layer from a special powder. A laser beam quickly melts the very small powder particles so that even complex shapes are not a problem.  The entire production process takes place without tools. Due to the high construction speed of the SLS method, large quantities of customised components can be made within just a few hours.  Compared to the FDM method, laser sintering is more precise and produces parts of greater stability and strength. As the surrounding powder provides support, additional supporting structures are not necessary. As a result, subsequent machining is no longer needed and the component can be used immediately. igus is now expanding its 3D printing service with this method, so that wear-resistant prototypes or small batches of components for moving applications can be made quickly and easily, and delivered in a short time (at least 48 hours).

Wear-resistant Tribo components from the 3D printing service

Given that many companies do not have their own 3D printer, the 3D service offered by igus gives customers the possibility of having their individual wear-resistant parts directly printed as FDM or SLS components. On the igus website, the customer can simply drag and drop the data in STL format.  Next, the required quantities can be specified and a suitable material selected. Finally, igus makes a formal quotation or an order can be placed immediately by the customer.  "Thanks to the new SLS printer that we now use in our own manufacturing facilities, components with a height of up to 300 millimetres can be made directly here on site", explains Tom Krause, the product manager responsible at igus. "This means that we can now make complex special parts many times more quickly."

iglidur I3-PL triples service life of moving applications

Small batches of up to 500 parts made of iglidur I3-PL can now be printed in a very short time. This material was specifically developed for laser sintering. The abrasion resistance of this high-performance plastic is at least three times higher than that of conventional SLS materials and it therefore considerably increases the service life of moving applications.  This has been shown by extensive testing in the 2,750 square metre igus test laboratory, for both rotating or pivoting as well as linear applications. "In this way, users get a Tribo material that is characterised by good mechanical characteristics, high resistance to wear and low coefficients of friction and that can be shaped to create almost any conceivable component," explains Tom Krause. "The parts can then be used immediately in the application, without the use of any additional lubricant."

For more details please visit: http://www.igus.in/wpck/15292/Motek_N15_04_01_I3_PL_3D_Drucker?C=IN&L=en&sop=1

About igus® India

igus® operations in India started in the year 1998 with head quarters in Bangalore. igus offers widest range of products that includes polymer bearings, igubal® Linear Motion Bearings , Plain Bearings and Bushing Accessories etc. which enable them to serve the whole industrial establishments in India from a small work shop to huge industrial establishments.

igus uses Cost-effective 3D-printed injection moulding tools in production

Injection moulding is an efficient method for production of high-performance plastics in moving applications. The injection moulding tools required in this regard are usually manufactured from steel, at costs that reflect this. With the first 3D printed injection moulding tool in plastic, igus has now developed a cost-saving alternative for production up to 500 pieces.

As an injection moulded part, machined from bar stock, or printed in the additive manufacturing – igus offers users a wide variety of ways to get its lubrication-free and maintenance-free plastic plain bearings in the required form quickly and without huge costs.  Therefore every manufacturing method has its own advantages: Whereas large quantities of any iglidur material can be produced in the injection moulding process, cheaper special forms can be made from bar stock. With additive manufacturing cost-efficient, smaller batches can be produced with special iglidur 3D print materials. Now, the motion plastics specialist has combined the two methods to offer the customer the freedom in the choice of materials, and at the same time to  enable the production of special forms in larger quantities.

The best of both worlds

By using 3D printing igus is now able to produce customer-specific injection moulds made of high-performance plastics in a short time. With the SLS process the appropriate tool can be produced quickly and used in the existing injection moulding machine. The prerequisite is that the injected moulded parts must have simple geometries. To make injection moulded parts the customer has a wide range of iglidur materials available that are tribologically-optimised and predictable online: from chemically and temperature resistant up to the highest performance materials for almost any movement. With the printed mould tools, the customer gets the possibility of obtaining the required special part quickly and cost effectively even in larger numbers whilst maintaining application suitability. Distinct advantages arise therefore, especially in the test phase. Users who want to test samples for subsequent batches are often faced with the challenge in terms of bar stock or 3D printed products, because these parts clearly differ from the moulded parts. For this reason, the final endurance test is often done with injection moulded parts. Due to the 3D-printed injection mould, the special part is very close to the series product in the test phase and the costs are reduced considerably at the same time.

For more details please visit: http://www.igus.in/wpck/13370/3D_Druckservice?C=IN&L=en

About igus® India

igus® operations in India started in the year 1998 with head quarters in Bangalore. igus offers widest range of products that includes polymer bearings, igubal® Linear Motion Bearings , Plain Bearings and Bushing Accessories etc. which enable them to serve the whole industrial establishments in India from a small work shop to huge industrial establishments.