Henkel and Nexa3D announced the signing of a new material development agreement. This agreement builds upon the companies’ partnership and deepens their joint commitment to advancing the capabilities of additive manufacturing (AM) for volume production. The two companies plan to develop next-generation functional polymers that leverage their combined technologies specifically targeting volume production opportunities in industrial casting, footwear, medical, and consumer goods industries.

As part of the expanding partnership, Henkel and Nexa3D are developing a new casting material designed for industrial metal castings suitable for applications such as automotive, robotics, heavy machinery, and hydraulics. Manufacturers can use the material to produce complex geometries to reduce weight and consolidate parts, resulting in affordable lightweight parts at high production volumes. The new class of functional material is fully optimized for ultrafast 3D printing workflows. Use of advanced design for additive manufacturing tools will further optimize results possible with the material, enabling reductions in material and energy consumption as well as final part weights and costs.

The combination of Nexa3D’s ultrafast additive production platform and Henkel’s development of a new generation of casting material can digitize the casting workflow of foundries looking to upgrade from traditional wax tooling to AM. This development delivers all the benefits of traditional metal AM, at much higher productivity using supply chain approved metals without compromising on quality.

Traditional manufacturing methods, such as using wax patterns, commonly require expensive tooling and refrigerated transport to maintain their shape during transport. This new casting material produces thermally stable patterns, eliminating the need for refrigerated containers or bespoke tooling for each design. The parts are also more sustainable, compared to traditional stereolithography processes, because they use fresh resin, rather than resin from a large vat that requires constant energy to maintain.

Henkel and Nexa3D have an established partnership that this year has already resulted in the introduction of a new class of medical device as well as a dedicated center for AM advancement. The 3D printed SKOP telemedicine stethoscope was created using biomimicry design concepts, color-matched materials, and complex geometries only possible via 3D printing. The SKOP arose from a collaboration among Nexa3D’s technology, Henkel’s materials, contract manufacturing from Third, and healthcare company WeMed. Nexa3D and Henkel further launched the NEXTFACTORY in Ventura, California this year as a full-scale AM customer center. The center offers customers access to integrated post-processing technologies, material formulation customization, color matching, and a variety of finishing options.

Following the launch of the new casting material, Henkel and Nexa3D will work toward further targeted formulations. Applications in healthcare, footwear manufacture, and consumer goods, for example, offer ample opportunity for next-generation functional materials and ultrafast 3D printing production capabilities.

Henkel
www.LoctiteAM.com