Ceramic 3D printing
The process
Lithography-based Ceramic Manufacturing (LCM) is a multi-part additive manufacturing process for the construction of 3D objects made of technical ceramics. In the stereolithography process, a liquid suspension of fine-grained ceramic powder and a UV-sensitive monomer is built up layer by layer to form a green body which is cured by the irradiation with a DLP-Projector. Subsequently, the green body undergoes a multi-stage thermal treatment at firing temperatures of up to 1,600 °C. The polymers used as binders are removed during the removal step. A final sintering process gives the component the typical characteristics of ceramic.
Advantages
- High-precision components with a smooth surface
- Resistance to acid, lye, and heat
- High elastic modulus at high temperatures
- Good electrical insulation properties
- Gas-tight material
- Versatile applications through biocompatibility
- Profitable also for the production of individual parts thanks to tool-free production in the shortest possible time
- Workpieces in series quality
- Great design freedom in production
Materials
Ceramic objects feature excellent thermal and electrical insulation properties as well as a high temperature resistance. The LCM-technology is capable of producing high-precision 3D ceramic objects with a smooth surface and small components with high complexity.
Read MoreALUMINUM OXIDE
Characteristics
The widely used aluminum oxide is characterized by extreme durability. With its exceptional hardness and resistance to high temperatures, the ceramic material can fulfill a variety of mechanical and chemical requirements.
Base color | white |
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Feel | smooth |
ZIRCONIUM OXIDE*
Characteristics
Because of its tough properties, zirconium oxide is also referred to as “ceramic steel.” This material also has a very low thermal conductivity. Through later alloying, for example with Y2O3, a variety of properties can be achieved for a wide range of applications. *Only available on request
Base color | white |
Price | |
Precision | |
Stability | |
Flexibility | |
Surface | |
Feel | smooth |
Ceramic 3d printing in the application
The LCM technology enables the additive production of technical ceramics of great stability and precision. Even tiny components with complex geometries can be formed in detail using the process. The objects produced directly from the 3D data have the same material properties as conventionally produced ceramic products, resulting in a wealth of possible applications.
Powerful metal replacement
Ceramic materials are on the rise today in many areas where metals have long been used. This is thanks both to the new technical possibilities and the positive properties of the material, which are appreciated by numerous industries. Worth mentioning are the excellent temperature resistance, good thermal and electrical insulation, and the high mechanical wear resistance.
Resistant to heat and mechanical stress
One common field of application is high-temperature technology, in which materials have to withstand temperatures well above 1,000 °C without distortion or fatigue. Technical ceramics are increasingly used even in modern vehicle and automotive engineering and support the trend towards lightweight construction thanks to its high degree of hardness at relatively low weight. Ceramic materials are also frequently used in medical technology. There is great potential in this field, in particular because of its food-grade quality and biocompatibility.
Function-oriented design
The constructive freedom in the additive manufacturing of ceramic components is virtually unlimited. Both functional prototypes, for example for initial product tests, as well as high-quality small series (rapid manufacturing) can be produced in high complexity. The design can be based primarily on the desired functionality of the product, since the limitations of conventional molding processes in the tool-free method are dispensed with.
Technical information
- Wall thicknesses from 0.1 mm up to 4 mm
- Components up to 81.9 mm x 51.4 mm x 117 mm can be produced in one piece
- Pixel resolution of the green body 40 x 40 μ and 25 μ layer thickness
- Ra value up to 0.4 μm
- Tolerances: max. 0.1 mm
Limitations
- Limited geometric freedom, as support structures must be removable
- Limited maximum wall thickness due to thermal processes