Covestro AG

09/13/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/13/2021 05:01

Covestro introduces Somos® PerFORM HW, a DLP/LCD 3D printing material for tooling

Materials manufacturer Covestro introduces Somos® PerFORM HW for digital light processing (DLP) and liquid crystal display (LCD) 3D printing at the RAPID+TCT show in Chicago. The resin was developed by the additive manufacturing business acquired from DSM.

Producing molds for low volumes or parts with detailed features is time consuming and costly, though with DLP and LCD 3D printing these barriers are lessened. DLP and LCD 3D printing offer fast printing speeds and a more economical cost of entry, making it more accessible to companies looking to adopt additive manufacturing.

One of the first resins meeting industry-required properties

Until now, no solution was available that met the stringent industry-required properties in terms of dimensional stability and minimal warpage for 3D printing injection mold tooling. Somos® PerFORM HW, based on the stereolithography resin Somos® PerFORM HW fills that gap. Its innovative and patented formulation makes it now possible to print large-scale and functional applications on DLP/LCD printers.

Completed mold trials demonstrate that Somos® PerFORM HW, with high stiffness and high temperature performance, behaves similarly to Somos® PerFORM for injection molding tooling.

Hugo da Silva, Head of Additive Manufacturing at Covestro commented: 'By turning to our ecosystem of partners and working closely with EnvisionTEC, we developed a material that not only meets critical needs voiced in the market such as improved dimensional stability and minimal warpage for optimal functionality though we also ensure a processable material and a printer+material solution.' He added: 'Customers need the right material for end-use parts though they also want materials that can be processed fast in volume production.'

Visit Covestro (booth E7212) and EnvisionTEC (booth E7501) at RAPID+TCT in Chicago, September 13-15, 2021.