voxeljet and Hüttenes-Albertus are the first to successfully produce
inorganically bound moulds and cores using the 3D printing method,
without the use of tools. With the development of a new mass-producible,
inorganic binder system, 3D printing follows the growing trend towards
environmentally-friendly moulding materials in foundries.
The moulding material system developed by Hüttenes-Albertus
in conjunction with voxeljet can be used on voxeljet 3D printers. With
the new system, which will be available as of the second quarter of
2012, moulding material containing inorganic binder – inorganic
prepared sand – is applied to an area in micrometre-fine layers, and
then selectively printed with a liquid. The print solution activates the
binder in the sand, which binds the surrounding moulding material
particles. This process is repeated layer by layer until the desired
mould has been produced.
Following the layer building process, the sand moulds are dried in an
oven for a few hours, and are then available for casting. voxeljet-CEO,
Dr. Ingo Ederer, sees the new development as an important step toward
more sustainable production. "Previously, inorganic binder systems were
used only in mass production. We have now brought their ecological
and technological advantages to the AM environment as well."
In some systems, inorganic binders are superior to products based on
artificial resin. And contrary to organic products, inorganic binders do
not burn during the casting process, thus avoiding the emissions that
are known to result from organic systems and which are harmful to
the environment and health. The new technology also does not produce the
typical odour that occurs during the casting process as a result of the
burning of the organic material. Therefore the method is deemed as
environmentally friendly. At the same time, it has a positive effect on
the quality of the cast.