On the last day of TCT Asia 2023, Farson has announced the development of an ultra-temperature configuration for its 252P laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) system.
The company first introduced its 252P high-temperature polymer LPBF system in 2014. Since then, the machine has proven to be a popular choice for technical research institutes, leading chemical manufacturers and small manufacturing service providers.
Previously, this system had a temperature resistance of up to 280 °C and supported many chemical manufacturers in the development of special technical materials as well as in the validation of small series production. With this temperature capability, Farsoon users were able to process PA11, CF, ESD, TPU, PP, PBT, PA6 and PPS as well as PA66, but now the UT252P system allows users to process high melting point materials above 340°C.
The UT252P system features a versatile 250 × 250 × 320 mm build envelope and a 100W CO2 laser, which Farsoon believes opens up many new possibilities for high-temperature applications in materials engineering, medicine, aerospace and more becomes. It also features enhanced 8-zone temperature shielding, while thermal control allows the UT252P to process high-temperature engineering materials such as PA6, PA66, PPS, PAEK, PI, PTFE for end-use applications.
In parallel with the development of the UT252P, Farsoon’s polymer applications team has been working with several material suppliers on material optimization of high-temperature powder materials for the LPBF process. A recent success was that Farsoon sintered a material from the PAEK family with a high melting point of over 340 °C. The material is characterized by “excellent chemical and thermal resistance, low moisture absorption, good fire resistance and higher wear resistance”. During beta testing, parts manufactured on UT252P are said to have achieved repeatable results in terms of thermal stability, surface quality and mechanical properties, while Farsoon also reported that the material can achieve low refresh rate with high potential for lower material costs and high potential for lower material costs “truly sustainable manufacturing process.”
The UT252P ultra-temperature system is now available to the global market through the application of the Beta program as well as material collaborations for high-temperature materials.
This week at TCT Asia, Farsoon also introduced its 16-laser metal 3D printer FS1521M and its quad-laser metal 3D printer FS350M-4. The company also spoke to TCT ahead of the event about its product roadmap and the state of 3D printing in China.
