Jun 27, 2017 | By Julia
ViscoTec, the German manufacturer of dosing and pumping systems, has developed a two-component printhead designed specially for 3D printing viscous materials. Announced earlier today, the ViscoDUO-FDD 4/4 is being marketed as an efficient alternative to FDM extruders, and promises to 3D print two-component liquids and pastes with maximum consistency and precision throughout the printing process.
As the 3D printing sector turns increasingly to viscous fluids and pastes based on a two-component polymer, we’re seeing a rise in printing materials such as silicones, epoxy resins, polyurethanes, acrylates and polyester resins. While these advanced materials mean a plethora of new printing possibilities, the drawback is that viscous fluids and pastes can complicate the printing procedure, requiring additional software and an extra careful eye.
With its new ViscoDUO-FDD 4/4, however, VisoTec is consciously seeking to tackle that issue. In place of an FDM extruder, the two-component printhead is implemented directly in the 3D printer and controlled with existing software solutions, meaning no extra purchases are required on the part of the user. Additionally, the single printhead ensures that the mixing ratio of the two materials remains consistently adhered to over the course of the printing process.
ViscoTec representatives credit the rotating displacement principle as the core of their new innovation. “Thanks to the special geometry, a precisely defined chamber volume is created in which the material is continuously axially transported. By reversing the direction of rotation, a breakage of the thread is generated – to ensure absolutely clean printing results,” say company reps in a statement. The result is a purely volumetric technology that’s geared towards high-precision 3D printing.
Rotating displacement principles aside, the ViscoDUO-FDD 4/4 promises to deliver an efficient printing process with product-ready results. The two-component printhead is connected to the printer’s mixing head via two separate flow-optimised channels. Initial mixing of the two materials takes place in the mixing tube, which can be removed and disposed of after the printing operation is completed. The printhead can also be filled gradually over a longer period of time, as the separate extruder units prevent the materials from curing prematurely. Additional benefits include a programmable retraction feature, which prevents the material from dripping.
All in all, the ViscoDUO-FDD 4/4 looks to be a solid product from ViscoTec, and a promising development for printing with more advanced materials in the future. We’re betting there’ll be lots more of this to come from competitors.
Posted in 3D Printer Accessories
Maybe you also like:
- Zesty Nimble: lightweight direct drive 3D printer extruder for under $85
- New 3devo desktop industrial extruders promise to slash 3d printing costs and environmental impact
- Fight moisture-related 3D printing issues with PrintDry filament dryer, now available on Kickstarter
- ColorPod 3D printer add-on can now 3D print full color edible candies
- Type A Machines promises multicolor 3D printing via Mosaic Palette multi-filament accessory
- New 3D printer tool offers Z-stage positioning, bed alignment & humidity monitoring from $56
- 3M Japan fights warping and 3D print removal problems with special polyester print bed sheet
- Eliminate warping, scraping, and taping with the LokBuild 3D printing surface for FDM printers
- SHRED-Buddy3D Recycler turns bottles, leftover filament bits & fishing line into pellets for 3D printing
- Ultimaker 2 GO releases backpack for any 3D printer enthusiast always on the move
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
