Global provider of 3D printing machines is going to expand its suite of 3D printing binder offerings to add a new class of phenolic, referred to as cold hardening phenolic (“CHP”). ExOne’s binder jetting technology uses a liquid binding agent selectively deposited to join powder particles and 3D print complex parts in industrial-grade materials.
The company initially introduced the availability of phenolic in July 2013, which binder is used with ceramic sand in the 3D printing of molds and cores, offering customers three primary benefits as compared with other binders:
• Casting higher heat alloys,
• Creating a higher strength mold or core, and
• Improving the quality of the casting due to reduced expansion of the mold or core.
In addition to these benefits, the newly introduced CHP binder accelerates the 3D printing process due to elimination of an infrared heating lamp that is utilized in the printing process with traditional phenolics. Using CHP, the polymerization of 3D printed molds and cores may occur at room temperature, further reducing both printing and curing time and eliminating the need for additional equipment such as a microwave. Alternatively, if additional drying is desired this may be achieved in a conventional air oven, equipment which is already maintained by most customers.
Rainer Hoechsmann, Chief Development Officer of The ExOne Company, commented, “With our focus on accelerating the adoption rate of our technology particularly in the foundry markets, we are excited to offer this new binder solution. Our customers are pleased with the strength, surface finish and high temperature resistance of our cores and mold packages printed with CHP, particularly for aluminum castings. We view this as an important offering in our technology and expect a shift in demand toward our machine platforms that allow this production.”
