voxeljet, Dressler Group GmbH, Fraunhofer IPA and the University of Bayreuth Collaborate in Re-Processing of Discarded PA12 Powder for 3D Printing via High-Speed Sintering (HSS)

FRIEDBERG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 13, 2024--

voxeljet AG (OTCMKTS: VJTTY) (the ‘Company’, ‘voxeljet’, or ‘we’), a provider of high-speed, large-format 3D printers and on-demand parts services to industrial and commercial customers, Dressler Group GmbH, and Fraunhofer IPA today announced the successful completion of a material study for waste PA12 powder from laser-based 3D printing systems. In the study, waste powder from Selective Laser Sintering systems was successfully recycled by Dressler Group and 3D printed by Fraunhofer IPA at the University of Bayreuth, using a VX200 HSS platform from voxeljet. The initial results demonstrate that reconditioned PA12 waste powder can be processed effectively using ink- and printhead-based High Speed Sintering (HSS) technology enabling sustainable and cost-efficient production. The preliminary test results indicate that the material properties are equal or may even exceed those of comparable prints with fresh powder.

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The Challenge: PA12 Powder Degradation in Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Systems

In SLS systems, unprinted PA12 powder loses its ability to be reused due to high temperature exposure in the build area, which causes the polyamide chains to lengthen after condensation, negatively affecting powder flowability and melt viscosity. This makes the material difficult to process again via laser-based technologies, as the energy input from lasers is too short to process longer molecule chains accordingly. Therefore, comparably high powder refresh rates are necessary, accumulating waste and associated high disposal costs.

The collaborative study aimed to reclaim this used powder by processing it through voxeljet’s VX200 HSS platform. HSS technology, using an inkjet-based printhead and infrared (IR) heating, offers selective and thermally gentler energy input, allowing the polyamide to sinter gradually, enabling the reuse of this powder. This means a real tribute to circular economy in Additive Manufacturing.

Dressler Group, experts in powder design and manufacturing, processed the used PA12 powder to homogenize and recover key powder properties such as flowability and moisture, making it suitable for reuse in HSS.

“Recycling used PA12 powder can effectively reduce costs and support sustainability efforts in AM,” says Dr. Ing. Holger Leonards, Head of R&D at Dressler Group. “Our expertise in regenerating powder properties and handling of large powder volumes enables companies to reclaim this valuable material.”

“The VX200 HSS technology is an open-source system, allowing us to quickly change and adapt process parameters to any powder,” says Jan Kemnitzer, Research Team Lead at Fraunhofer IPA and adds “We were therefore able to quickly adapt the 3D printer to the material with consistent or improved results in part properties.”

“The results of this study are especially interesting for ink and printhead based technologies such as the HSS technology. The future possibility of processing this recycled powder on production platforms like the VX1000HSS will bring immense cost savings,” says Tobias Grün, Global Product Management at voxeljet. “Typically, 50 % of the running costs are attributable to powder costs. Thus, this development provides a huge effect on cost effectiveness while boosting a circular material flow, reducing waste.”

A Sustainable Solution for Additive Manufacturing

This study highlights the growing issue of excess PA12 waste powder within the additive manufacturing industry. By reclaiming this material for use in voxeljet’s HSS technology, companies can reduce waste, lower operational costs, and improve sustainability in their additive manufacturing processes.

First parts of this collaboration will be shown at the formnext trade show in Frankfurt, Germany from November 19 th to 22 nd and can be seen at the voxeljet booth E08 or the Fraunhofer booth C71 in hall 12.1.

ABOUT VOXELJET

voxeljet’s roots reach back to the year 1995 with the first successful dosing of UV-resins. In the context of a "hidden" project, initial 3D-printing tests were performed at the Technical University Munich. Our company was founded on May 5, 1999 as a spin-off from TUM in Munich with a clear vision in mind: to establish a new manufacturing standard by developing new generative processes for the series-production of complex components using 3D printing. In the beginning, operations were launched with four employees at the TUM. Today, we are a globally acting, leading provider of high-speed, large-format 3D printers and on-demand 3D printed parts to industrial and commercial customers. Components manufactured with the help of our technology are flying in space, make mobility more efficient and the production of new engineering solutions possible. Visit our website www.voxeljet.com, and follow us on Linkedin, or on Twitter.

Virtual tour through our HQs in Germany: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVt4h_6oWkc.

ABOUT DRESSLER GROUP - THE GRINDING AUTHORITY

Since its foundation in 1978, Dressler Group has specialised and been comprehensively certified in the grinding and finishing of plastics for all key industries. At the same time, DG has always undertaken research and development. Our core values are quality, flexibility, innovation and service. As a long-term systems partner and problem-solver, DG is involved in customer processes from the outset, offering all types of grinding and complete warehousing, packaging, customs and shipping logistics from a single source. Both gram-based test grinding and individually specified large quantities are available – always exactly reproducible and just in time. With the Listen-Care-Evolve approach, we adapt to each customer’s needs, from standard grinding to custom further development. Visit www.dressler-group.com for further information.

ABOUT FRAUNHOFER IPA

With nearly 1 200 employees, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation, Fraunhofer IPA, is one of the largest institutes in the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. The total budget amounts to € 94 million. The institute’s research focus is on organizational and technological aspects of production. In 11 research areas, we develop, test, and implement not only components, devices and methods but also entire machines and manufacturing plants. In 11 business areas, we transfer research results in cooperation with small and large enterprises, especially from the automotive, machinery and equipment, electronics and microsystems, energy, medical engineering and process industry.

Figure 2 – Printed parts from reconditioned PA12 waste powder (Dressler Group) on voxeljet VX200 HSS, Source Fraunhofer IPA

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Republicans and Democrats awaited the outcome of vote-counting for crucial U.S. House districts in California on Wednesday, as the GOP moved within one win of maintaining control of the chamber next year.

In a rematch from 2022, Rep. Ken Calvert — the longest-serving Republican in the state’s congressional delegation — defeated rival Democrat Will Rollins in the 41st District, which lies east of Los Angeles and was a top target for national Democrats.

In Southern California's Orange County, Democrat Dave Min defeated Republican Scott Baugh in a closely divided swing district, ending Baugh's bid to seize the seat being vacated by Democratic Rep. Katie Porter in what was once a conservative stronghold.

The 47th District, southeast of Los Angeles, was a top target for national Republicans looking to protect and possibly expand the their narrow majority.

Calvert, who was backed by President-elect Donald Trump, claimed his 17th term in a district narrowly carried by Trump in 2020.

“This is a hard-fought victory that shows voters want someone who will put results above partisan politics,” Calvert said in a post on the social platform X.

Min, also posting on X, said that in Congress he will “fight to protect our democracy, safeguard our freedoms and expand economic opportunity.”

Baugh said on the same platform that “despite running a strong campaign … that effort is going to come up a little short.”

On Tuesday, Republican Rep. David Valadao’s victory in California’s 22nd District moved Republicans within two wins of retaining the House gavel, with the tally 216-207 in favor of the GOP, as counting continued in a sliver of races across the country.

With Calvert's win, the Republican tally reached 217.

Several races remained in play in California that could determine control of the House.

In the 45th District, anchored in Orange County, Republican Rep. Michelle Steel's lead over Democrat Derek Tran was whittled down to a few hundred votes as counting continued.

California is known as a liberal protectorate — Democrats hold every statewide office, dominate the Legislature and congressional delegation and outnumber registered Republicans by a staggering 2-1 ratio. Still, Republicans retain pockets of political clout in the Southern California suburbs and vast rural stretches, including the Central Valley farm belt.

Orange County was once considered conservative holy ground, where white, suburban homeowners delivered winning margins for Republicans year after year. It was a foundational block in the Reagan revolution. But the county has become more demographically diverse and Democratic over time, like much of the state.

The 47th District, which includes Huntington Beach and other famous surf breaks, has been occupied by Porter, a progressive favorite who in 2022 narrowly defeated Baugh, a former Republican legislator. Porter, known for grilling CEOs during Capitol Hill hearings, stepped aside to run for U.S. Senate, but lost in the primary.

Given the stakes in the closely divided district, the contest was especially rancorous. Min ads called Baugh a “MAGA extremist” who would endanger abortion rights. Baugh said Min’s “extreme liberal views” were out of step with the district.

FILE - Scott Baugh poses outside a polling place after voting in Huntington Beach, Calif., June 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Krysta Fauria, File)

FILE - California state Sen. Dave Min speaks to reporters in Huntington Beach, California, on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia, File)

FILE - Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)