Focus

How to save time and money with PEEK additive manufacturing

PEEK

What are the benefits of metal replacement with additive manufacturing?

Modern thermoplastics are becoming increasingly used because of many of their properties in common with metals, but without the disadvantages that these bring. They offer considerable strength and resistance, but also excellent thermal resistance, maintaining structural performance at high temperatures, and chemical resistance, for example resisting corrosion. All qualities that metals do not have.

Combining these materials with the additive manufacturing method allows not only to replace metals, but also to obtain a shorter processing cycle allowing the end user to receive his finished parts much more quickly. In general, the benefits of 3D printing manufacturing can be summarized as follows.

Improved mechanical properties

Higher resistance to chemicals;
Reduced weight of the 3D printed parts;
Design accuracy;
UV and corrosion resistance.

Cost savings

Cheaper materials;
Reduced total costs.

Time saving

Faster production;
Faster post process.

Design advantages

Freedom of design;
Simplified design requirements.

Better functionality

Low maintenance;
High power efficiency;
Reduced noise and vibration;
Dimensional stability.

For further information on the advantages of industrial 3D printing with polymers and composites, download the dedicated white paper.

Additive manufacturing solutions with Roboze PEEK 3D

PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) is a 3D printing material known for its excellent mechanical, thermal and chemical properties. When it comes to manufacturing PEEK parts using 3D printing manufacturing, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind.

Read the article dedicated to PEEK and its extraordinary mechanical, chemical and thermal properties.

PEEK is one of the polymeric materials that most resists high temperatures. Thinking of being able to produce parts that comply with specific technical and quality requirements simply by raising the extrusion and working chamber temperatures is definitely wrong.

How we optimize the PEEK additive manufacturing process

First, the material must have high quality properties to ensure optimal mechanical performance. PEEK filaments must be prepared and stored properly to avoid moisture absorption, which can adversely affect 3D printing quality. Roboze works closely with the major players in the chemical industry and internally engineers its filaments on which the entire technological ecosystem of its 3D printers is developed.

Post-processing steps may be required after the PEEK part is 3D printed. These may include removing support structures, smoothing or polishing the surface, and carrying out any further surface treatment or coating.

In general, PEEK, given its properties, is a difficult material to process due to its high melting point and its sensitivity to processing conditions. Therefore, successfully producing PEEK parts using additive manufacturing requires experience, expertise and the right additive manufacturing technology.

By reading the dedicated white paper, you can get a comprehensive excursus on the material that is accelerating the digitization of manufacturing in the world.

Roboze is a pioneer company in PEEK 3D additive manufacturing

From the early 90s until today, PEEK, a semi-crystalline super-polymer that combines excellent mechanical characteristics with incredible thermal and chemical resistance properties, was already available to the manufacturing industry, but not for industrial 3D printing. Roboze is among the first to have offered this extraordinary material in the additive manufacturing sector. Its strong specialization today allows you to obtain functional parts, from very small dimensions to one cubic meter items, with unrivaled quality, precision and production repeatability.

We invite you to contact us and ask one of our consultants to help you with the Metal Replacement Roboze solutions that best suit your business needs. Our consultants will listen to your questions and help you calculate the ROI you can earn by introducing industrial 3D printers into the production processes.