Ceramic innovations and different applications of nano-printing

Text: Thomas Masuch, 25 October 2023

Alongside more established printers for metals and polymers, manufacturers of ceramic and nano-printers are set to showcase their innovative developments and applications. 

New 3D printers and innovative additive technologies are at the heart of every Formnext event, and the 2023 edition will be no different. In fact, there are so many of them this year that we couldn’t possibly fit them into just one article. To give you the clearest overview we can, we’ve divided the area of additive hardware into three sections: metals, synthetics, and other materials. 

In this article, you can read all about the latest breakthroughs in materials outside of polymers and metals. Manufacturers of corresponding printers are bringing some very exciting technologies to Formnext 2023 – including in the areas of nano-printing and ceramics. Take Lithoz, for example, which makes it possible to incorporate different materials into the same printed layer, or D3-AM, which is presenting all-new additive manufacturing technology for ceramics. In nano-scale printing, Nano Dimension’s Fabrica Group is set to unveil its Giga machines and numerous related applications for the first time. Boston Micro Fabrication will also be on hand to show Formnext attendees how extreme precision is possible even when printing on a nano- or micrometer scale.

Ceramic and metal in the same layer

Lithoz will be presenting its latest innovations in multi-material 3D printing and many multi-functional parts, all of them printed using the CeraFab Multi 2M30 that will have its world premiere at the trade show. This 3D printer is capable of combining different materials, such as ceramic and metal, ceramic and polymer, and different ceramics in the same functional part – and even in the same printed layer. This means very different material properties can be flexibly and functionally combined – including conductive and insulating characteristics.

New printing technology for advanced ceramics

D3-AM GmbH will be presenting its new Micro Particle Jetting (MPJ) printing technology for the production of advanced ceramics at Formnext 2023. According to the manufacturer, this goes beyond the limitations of conventional inkjet systems and facilitates direct printing of water-based, highly filled suspensions with virtually any particle size and distribution. After sintering, complex and dense components are created through intelligent droplet generation.

For miniaturized parts in electronics or injection molding

Nano Dimension's Fabrica Group will be showcasing its expanded range of micro-AM solutions, new materials, and open-source plans. The company will also be presenting recent customer prints that demonstrate the use of its micro-AM platforms in new application areas. Fabrica Giga machines will also be making their trade fair debut at this year’s Formnext: The Giga 250 has a build volume of 6 x 9 x 45mm, while the Giga 25 has a build volume of 12 x 18 x 45mm. Both machines offer micron-scale resolution. 

Resolution down to 2 µm 

Boston Micro Fabrication (BMF) will be presenting its microArch series of 3D printers, which can be used to produce experimental and low-volume parts on a micron scale. The microArch 3D printers support resolutions down to 2µ and a scale fidelity of +/- 10 microns. They are based on a patented process called projection micro stereolithography (PµSL), which combines the advantages of digital light processing (DLP) and stereolithography. A flash of light triggers the rapid photopolymerization of an entire layer of resin, and continuous exposures accelerate the process. 

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Numerous other highlights and premieres for Formnext 2023 can be found in the trade show issue of FonMag.