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  4. Multi-material 3D printing

3D printing with several filaments

What is multi-material printing?

Multi-material printing uses two different filaments to make one component in a single work step. This combines the advantages of two or more different materials in one component. 

The filament that igus developed specifically for mechanical engineering is called the "tribofilament". Filaments under this name have outstanding, unique wear resistance properties and very good coefficients of friction. But other filaments  have also been specially optimised for strength and rigidity. Multi-material printing can combine tribofilaments with other materials within a component so as to supplement the high wear-resistance with other mechanical and functional properties.
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What kinds of multi-material combinations are there?

How and with what materials can iglidur® tribofilaments be combined?

Many materials are compatible and can be combined in one way or another in two-component printing. Similar filaments (such a materials with the same base polymer or similar processing temperatures) can be firmly bonded: the materials meld with one another, connecting the component's two "phases". This no longer functions when the difference between processing temperatures is too great: then one of the two materials may not remain dimensionally stable during processing or may even be subjected to damaging temperatures. To be absolutely certain of the connection, an interlocking design in which the two phases are combined so that they cannot be separated by non-destructive means is a good option.

Mechanical properties

multi material component Tribofilaments are combined with highly rigid or flexible materials. This allows the construction of very strong components combined with the tribological advantages of iglidur® filaments. The combination of the two materials works well in the manufacture of gripper fingers, the gripping surface has to provide a good grip but the moving components have to slide. 

Injection moulding with 3D printing

Roller from injection moulding and 3D printing Moulded combined with 3D printed components!
This make it possible to implement geometries that are only possible with 3D printing in combination with the larger choice of available materials in the area of injection moulding. All iglidur® materials are offered which opens lots more doors to the applications. Find out more about iglidur® materials.
 

3D printing with smart functions

3D printing with sensors Multi-material printing allows speedy manufacture of wear-resistant polymers with an integrated sensor layer. This is how extremely durable special parts are created which issue a warning before overloading occurs or when the wear limit is reached to enable predictive maintenance.
Find out more about 3D isense

Multi-material 3D printing with up to four materials

Rapid production of multi-functional special parts in a single work step

A four-component printer allows tribofilaments to be combined with up to three other filaments. This gives rise to multi-functional special parts that are 3D printed and thus manufactured quickly and economically in a single work step.
One possible combination is intelligent bearings for predictive maintenance: a fibre-reinforced housing, tribofilament at stress points, and integrated sensors to warn of bearing overload. 
Other application areas include abrasion-resistant components with integrated seals.
 
Multi-material print with four components

Where are two-component parts used?

Deflection lever

3D printed deflection lever
A component for deflecting forces; its great rigidity protects the joint from interfering influences.
The bearing points operate especially smoothly and are durable and wear-resistant.
A good solution here is a combination of a carbon-fibre-reinforced filament such as igumid P150 and a tribologically optimised material such as one of the igus® iglidur® tribofilaments.

Gripper

3D printed gripper
The dynamic requirements dictate that the gripper element be as light as possible, but with great flexural strength, and grip securely but gently. While the gripper's body is manufactured with a fibre-reinforced filament, a flexible filament whose high coefficient of friction ensures a secure grip can be used for the gripping surfaces. 
Customer application: two-component gripper in the packaging industry for cosmetics products
Information about 3D printing at igus

About 3D printing at igus

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Why 3D printing at igus?
3D printed polymers put to the test

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3D printing with iglidur compared to PLA, ABS and other materials and manufacturing processes
 
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3D printing materials made of iglidur compared to PLA, ABS and other materials and manufacturing processes.
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igus® GmbH points out that it does not sell any products of the companies Allen Bradley, B&R, Baumüller, Beckhoff, Lahr, Control Techniques, Danaher Motion, ELAU, FAGOR, FANUC, Festo, Heidenhain, Jetter, Lenze, LinMot, LTi DRiVES, Mitsubishi, NUM,Parker, Bosch Rexroth, SEW, Siemens, Stöber and all other drive manufacturers mention on this website. The products offered by igus® are those of igus® GmbH