Chromatic 3D Materials has developed a Smooth-Mode technology aimed at 3D printing of durable rubber parts with high-quality finishes. The technology addresses the persistent challenge of surface roughness in 3D printed components, offering a solution particularly beneficial for industrial applications requiring seals, gaskets, and other elastomeric products. The parts need no post-processing or surface finishing, a factor that could considerably reduce manufacturing lead times and costs.
Key to this development is Chromatic’s fine-tuning of thermoset polyurethane material properties. By optimizing viscosity and surface tension, the company has achieved superior dimensional accuracy and surface finishes. This is especially crucial for seals, and for products that experience expansion and contraction, as it ensures uniformity at a submillimeter scale. The technology is not limited to Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM); it utilizes chemistry to achieve ultra-bonded, smooth parts, specifically along the Z-axis.
Chromatic’s RX-AM platform supports the deployment of Smooth-Mode technology. This 3-in-1 system incorporates materials, software, and hardware designed for deposition printing using reactive chemistry. It offers printable polyurethanes with a Shore A hardness range between 50 and 90, and provides options for custom grades with specific properties such as antibacterial or static discharge capabilities.
“Sealing requires a smooth surface, but 3D-printed parts have always had layer lines or roughness,” said Dr. Cora Leibig, Chromatic CEO and founder.
“We have developed a way to easily and cost-effectively 3D print products that are ultra-smooth without additional steps. It’s a breakthrough for 3D printing those professional applications that must be airtight and watertight,”
Chromatic’s Smooth-Mode technology offers a robust solution for producing 3D printed rubber parts that meet stringent industrial specifications. As this technique becomes more widespread, it is likely to set new benchmarks for quality and efficiency in 3D printing of elastomeric materials.
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