Thermally stable nylon-based additive end-use parts with FormlabsERT

Formlabs announces Nylon 12 GF powder, a new high-performance additive material offering superior stiffness and thermal stability for functional prototyping and end-use production.

The latest addition to Formlabs selective laser sintering (SLS) materials library is a high-performance nylon-based, glass-filled material ideal for producing stiff functional prototypes and end-use parts where structural rigidity and thermal stability are critical. Available for use on the Fuse 1, Formlabs’ SLS 3D printer, Nylon 12 GF Powder enables users to print thermally stable parts that can maintain dimensional accuracy under load. The release of Nylon 12 GF Powder is one of many materials Formlabs plans to launch for the Fuse 1, reaffirming the company’s position as a complete solution for end-use 3D printing by expanding the versatility of powder-based materials.

Historically, industrial SLS 3D printing was out of reach for many companies due to its high cost and complex workflow. The Fuse 1 ecosystem makes industrial 3D printing more cost accessible and user-friendly than ever before with its straightforward process. Additive materials are key to expanding the range of possible applications, and this glass-filled nylon 12 was developed as a solution for environments that require highly stable and functional parts that have to maintain dimensional accuracy under load, even at elevated temperatures.

Following the release of Nylon 11 and Nylon 12 Powders, Nylon 12 GF Powder is the third and latest addition to the Formlabs SLS materials library for the Fuse 1, expanding the functionality of the Fuse 1 and enabling users to print highly durable, long-lasting end-use parts in-house.

“Formlabs’ materials, hardware, and software are developed and validated together to deliver peak performance while optimizing cost per part – said Chris Haid, ‎SLS product manager at Formlabs -. As the newest addition to the Nylon material family, Nylon 12 GF Powder builds upon the existing capabilities of the Fuse 1 to provide manufacturers, engineers, and product designers the ability to design, customize, and produce parts that can withstand sustained load and elevated temperatures“.

Nylon 12 GF Powder expands the capabilities and improves on the advantages offered by Fuse 1. While Formlabs’ Nylon 12 Powder is a versatile material that provides high detail and dimensional accuracy, and Nylon 11 Powder is ideal when ductility and resilience are essential, Nylon 12 GF Powder adds an extra element of stiffness for cases that require structural and thermal stability. Nylon 12 GF Powder is ideal for creating robust jigs, fixtures and replacement parts, parts undergoing sustained loading, functional prototypes for composite parts, threads and sockets, and parts subjected to high temperatures.