With three new filaments – Ultrafuse TPU 64D, Ultrafuse TPU 95A and Ultrafuse TPS 90A – Forward AM is launching a portfolio of advanced flexible materials for Additive Manufacturing (AM). These new filaments are said to enable the easy, rapid and cost-efficient production of 3D printed parts via Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF).
With soft yet durable haptics, high mechanical strength and very good abrasion resistance, the new filaments are ideally suited to a wide range of industrial applications requiring outstanding flexibility and impact resistance. These properties make the Forward AM Ultrafuse flexible filament portfolio the stand-out choice wherever long-term component flexibility and stability are required, said the company.
“Flexible materials surround us in our daily lives, in automotive manufacturing and production tools as well as in household appliances and consumer goods. In developing our flexible filament portfolio we leveraged the decades of experience BASF has gathered in flexible materials such as Elastollan for traditional manufacturing. We are now transferring this expertise to AM, to support our customers in realizing next-level industrial 3D printing applications with the very best flexible filaments on the market,” said Roger Sijlbing, Head of Sales and Marketing, Additive Extrusion Solutions at BASF 3D Printing Solutions GmbH.
According to the company, the three new filaments in the portfolio were all developed for the most demanding industrial applications, with each material delivering different specific properties and benefits:
- Ultrafuse TPU 64D is the hardest elastomer in this material range. It offers high rigidity while maintaining excellent flexibility and is suited for industrial applications that demand highly impact-resistant parts.
- Ultrafuse TPU 95A was developed to enable the rapid and easy printing of a durable yet flexible polyurethane-based material. Its very good abrasion resistance makes it the material of choice for wear-and-tear applications.
- Ultrafuse TPS 90A stands out thanks to its unprecedented soft-touch surface haptics, giving printed parts a non-slip touch and feel – unique in filament printing. With low moisture uptake and convincing layer adhesion, this filament is ideally suited to two component parts and appliance grips.
In 2018 Forward AM launched the company’s first flexible filaments with Ultrafuse TPU 85A and Ultrafuse TPC 45D. By launching a broader, dedicated flexible filament portfolio, Forward AM said it now offers even more flexible Additive Manufacturing materials at affordable prices.
Ultrafuse filaments are specifically developed to work on all common open-source Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) printers from beginner to industrial level, making it one of the easiest and most cost-effective technologies in Additive Manufacturing today. The Ultrafuse portfolio comprises filaments ranging from engineering-grade materials, through reinforced and support materials, to advanced metal filaments for a variety of industrial applications.