Our new SLS machinery brings PA12 glass filled capacity

Machine: SLS ProX 6100 SLS
Material: PA12 Glass Filled Nylon

To keep up with your most demanding projects, we’ve invested in another SLS ProX 6100 machine. This latest addition to our facility is all about our new material offering, significantly increasing our capacity to complex production runs for specialised applications.

With considerable expertise in polymer PBF developed and honed over many years, we know how to get the best out of this system and deliver the positive results to our customers. Without listing and boring you with the full machine specs, the drivers behind this machine are productivity and efficiency provided by a substantial build volume, fast build rate and, notably, its Material Quality Control (MQC) system. The MQC unit is truly a standout feature with this machine, it handles the sifting, blending and transport of powder automatically, which improves the factory workflow, eliminates a lot of the ‘messy’ parts while also ensuring a consistent fresh-to-recycled powder ratio. This contributes to consistent quality parts, meaning that any parts you order in March, will be the same quality as any parts you order in September.

The really exciting news that comes with this machine addition, however, is that we are combining it with a new material offering, specifically PA12 glass filled nylon, or to use its brand name, Duraform GF. PA12 glass filled offers numerous benefits over standard PA12 for some key applications.

New Material Focus: PA12 Nylon Glass Filled

Glass-filled composites can often be underestimated, but a Polyamide 12 base reinforced with glass beads creates an engineering plastic best suited for demanding applications. This material isn’t just a ‘stiff nylon,’ it’s a composite material with impressive thermal properties designed for environments where standard PA12 would simply wilt. In addition, the glass beads help maintain dimensional stability over time (creep) as compared to the unfilled PA12 Nylon.

The glass beads change the mechanical and thermal profile of the nylon. So, while it is true that you lose some of the durability of standard PA12, you gain significant dimensional stability and thermal resistance. As a guideline comparison, PA12 Glass Filled is nearly double the stiffness of unfilled PA12 with a heat deflection temperature of 180C These properties in particular are what make this material suitable for motorsport, automotive and aerospace AM applications. For housings, intake manifolds or complex ducts that need to withstand vibrating environments and elevated temperatures without deforming, Glass filled nylon can withstand the lot. Moreover, because it’s a composite material, it’s also receptive to threaded inserts, vibratory polishing and all of our quality finishing processes that you have come to expect from 3D People.

Practical Applications of PA12 glass filled nylon

As mentioned PA12 glass filled nylon is a go-to material for motorsport/automotive under-the-hood applications. Other key applications that benefit from this material include any prototypes that require high levels of rigidity and heat resistance, enclosures and housings that require more dimensional stability , sporting goods, intake manifolds, cases and covers, power tools and small engine components and jigs and fixtures.

Mechanical Properties of Duraform GF

Thermal Properties of Duraform GF

* All data generated using 3D Systems recommended recycle rates

Our advice: If you’re looking for high-impact toughness, stick to the standard PA12; but, if you need a part to hold its shape while a turbine or an engine is screaming next to it, then PA12 Glass Filled could well be your new best friend.