17-avr.-2020 - Nieuwegein

Additive manufacturing: ALSO distributes Lubrizol’s ESTANE® 3D TPU M95A

“Additive manufacturing facilitates the trend toward no longer needing to move products and components half way round the world but to be able to produce them flexibly and sustainably on-site”, says Gustavo Möller-Hergt, CEO of ALSO Holding AG (SIX: ALSN). “That applies to the customised manufacturing of prostheses by 3D printer just as it does to wearables or to components for industrial production. And that is why part of our strategy is to offer not only 3D devices but also high-quality materials that permit production processes that are as sustainable as possible.”.

David Pascual, Lubrizol’s Global Commercial 3D Printing Lead, announced that “After first developing a new innovative powder TPU for use with the market leading HP 4200 3D printing platform, we are proud to join efforts with ALSO.” Pascual adds “This collaboration will allow Lubrizol to reach the strong customers portfolio of ALSO across Europe and generate meaningful application development.”

ESTANE® 3D TPU M95A has been developed in close collaboration with HP. The powder TPU recently passed tests for skin sensitization and cytotoxicity in accordance with ISO 10993-05 and 10993-10. This enables ESTANE® 3D TPU M95A to be a valuable material solution for product designers exploring 3DP for end-use applications that require skin contact. This achievement builds on Lubrizol’s long legacy of developing innovative materials safe for use in skin contact applications – from consumer products to medical devices – and reflects Lubrizol’s ongoing mission to improve lives.

Applications for the new material include footwear and prostheses, oil resistant seals, consumer goods and automotive. ESTANE® 3D TPU M95 is a flexible thermoplastic material with excellent processing and cold unpacking properties while delivering excellent elongation and tensile strength. The new material also has high impact absorption, a low abrasion rate and good compression.

By distributing ESTANE® 3D TPU M95A, ALSO is rounding off its range of high-quality TPUs for the HP Jet Fusion range and thereby offering another key building block for the implementation of ambitious 3D printing projects. The technology provider’s product range currently comprises 3D printers of different sizes and for different uses – from entry-level models to up-market industrial and dental printers – along with consumables and accessories such as industrial vacuum cleaners and lifting devices. Resellers and users also benefit from the expertise that is bundled at the ALSO Centre of Competence for Additive Manufacturing, which offers complete single-source solutions.