Royal DSM, a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials, announces a customer-centric approach for its additive manufacturing (AM) activities. By aligning all its AM activities within the Materials cluster and promoting partnerships, DSM can provide customers an open and flexible infrastructure to help them find the right materials and production systems for their applications.

After two decades in which DSM established itself as a major player in the AM area with its Somos business in resins for stereolithography (SLA) and Digital Light Processing (DLP), the company is now forming an integrated business – DSM Additive Manufacturing. By aligning all of its AM activities beyond SLA and DLP, DSM will offer Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) as well as experience from years of research in Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Multi Jet Fusion, Ink Jet and Binder Jet processes.

DSM will initially focus on four market segments: healthcare, transportation, apparel and tools and electronics. The aim is to help customers find exactly the right materials and production systems for their applications.

DSM Additive Manufacturing will have a strong focus on R&D and continuous innovation that will enable it to develop a broader, sustainable solutions portfolio.

Integral to DSM’s future strategy in AM is what the company calls the ‘ecosystem’ approach. Having partnerships and collaboration as part of the foundation of the new organization allows DSM to provide customers with an open and flexible infrastructure.

Taking AM into the industrial manufacturing mainstream

DSM already has various collaborations throughout the additive manufacturing ecosystem such as the recent “One DSM” framework technology partnership agreement with Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG), a 100% subsidiary of the Toyota Motor Corporation. The agreement involves all DSM businesses active in supplying materials and technology to the automotive sector – Somos, Engineering Plastics, and also Dyneema® ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber.

DSM has also acquired the HP Multi Jet Fusion Materials Development Kit in an effort to jump-start 3D powder development for HP’s Jet Fusion 3D printing solution. DSM plans to collaborate with HP in the development of materials and bring innovative solutions to the market.

Recent product introductions include:

Somos Taurus for under-the-hood applications. Somos Taurus is an SLA material with a combination of thermal resistance, mechanical strength and impact performance that until now has only been achieved in AM using techniques such as FDM and SLS.

Novamid ID 1030-KS is a material for FDM/FFF with a UL 94 V-0 rating, which makes possible the creation of UL-certified small-series FFF/FDM parts for industrial applications. Target applications include fuse boxes, low voltage switch gear, electronic housing, control gear, casings and connectors.

Arnitel ID 2060-HT offers an excellent combination of heat resistance (Continuous Use Temperature is 150°C), resistance to chemicals such as EGR (Exhaust Gas Regeneration) condensate and mechanical properties for demanding automotive applications under the hood such as hot and cold charge air ducts. Arnitel ID 2060-HT is easy to process and can easily be welded. This new filament can significantly reduce the development time of such engine components.

DSM
www.dsm.com