3D printing is applicable across many different industries from product development until industrial manufacturing processes. However in order for additive manufacturing to realise its full potential in the industrial environment, 3D printing materials must perform on par with their mechanically processed counterparts. igus® has dedicated itself in the area of technical high-performance polymers to focus on developing filaments and laser sintering polymers for the construction of low-friction, wear-resistant industrial-grade components.
By definition, wear resistance is a material’s ability to resist abrasion in a number of different load states. We may look into the case of a classic plain bearing where a shaft slides or turns in the bearing under a certain speed and load causing wear on the bearing’s surface. Bearing wear causes an increase in the bearing ID, creates residue and generates other problems that lead to machine failure. Furthermore, it can also cause wear on the shaft, which is usually more difficult and expensive to repair or replace than the bearing is. With this in mind, igus® focuses on developing iglidur® material to have a better material’s wear resistance. And, of course, the term “wear” can be expanded to include similar conditions in other moving applications: sliders, gears, lead thrust washers, screw nuts, linear bearings, grippers, and many more.
igus® have conducted multiple experiments to test the advantage of iglidur® material compared to other 3D printing materials. Our experiments shows that standard plastic gears actually have a higher wear rate and wear several times faster than 3D printed iglidur® gears. Below are some of the data collected from the experiments.
iglidur® materials initially were developed for use in bushings,or bearings and in all types of components with low-wear, lubricant-free movement (which is where our “motion plastics” slogan comes from). iglidur® 3D printing materials can typically be used for assemblies that are subjected to all types of motion (gliding, rotary, swivelling, etc.) – and iglidur® materials improve the durability of the filament to be more durable than standard construction material. Judging by the parts that are ordered from our 3D printing service, many industry players benefited from gears manufactured from igus® material. Furthermore, iglidur® material can also help in reducing overall cost. Depending on size and complexity, mechanical manufacture of gears is much more expensive and complicated than part made from iglidur®.
Mechanically loaded parts are easily subjected to wear especially in the absence of lubrication. Its wear rate greatly increases when lubrication is not present. This is the reason why a metal ball bearing that can run for miles (literally and figuratively) can fail quickly without the proper lubrication. So how is it that igus’s 3D printing materials and products can be “lubricant-free”? – iglidur® material incorporates solid lubricants into the polymer and eliminates the need for additional lubrication. This delivers a number of advantages such as lower wear, better sliding properties, greatly reduced maintenance costs and cleaner machines (no more greasy fingers on machines with which users must interact).
Igus® manufactures lubrication-free and low wear 3d printing material for various applications. Click here to learn more about igus® 3D printing material
Definition of “wear resistance” for mechanical components
By definition, wear resistance is a material’s ability to resist abrasion in a number of different load states. We may look into the case of a classic plain bearing where a shaft slides or turns in the bearing under a certain speed and load causing wear on the bearing’s surface. Bearing wear causes an increase in the bearing ID, creates residue and generates other problems that lead to machine failure. Furthermore, it can also cause wear on the shaft, which is usually more difficult and expensive to repair or replace than the bearing is. With this in mind, igus® focuses on developing iglidur® material to have a better material’s wear resistance. And, of course, the term “wear” can be expanded to include similar conditions in other moving applications: sliders, gears, lead thrust washers, screw nuts, linear bearings, grippers, and many more.
Wear test, rotating. iglidur vs. standard 3D printing plastics
igus® have conducted multiple experiments to test the advantage of iglidur® material compared to other 3D printing materials. Our experiments shows that standard plastic gears actually have a higher wear rate and wear several times faster than 3D printed iglidur® gears. Below are some of the data collected from the experiments.
 |
Wear Rate Comparison iglidur® I3 with different
SLS Material |
 |
| Observable Wear on Different Shafts and Bearings |
 |
| Video comparison between iglidur® and ABS |
Less wear on wear-resistant parts
iglidur® materials initially were developed for use in bushings,or bearings and in all types of components with low-wear, lubricant-free movement (which is where our “motion plastics” slogan comes from). iglidur® 3D printing materials can typically be used for assemblies that are subjected to all types of motion (gliding, rotary, swivelling, etc.) – and iglidur® materials improve the durability of the filament to be more durable than standard construction material. Judging by the parts that are ordered from our 3D printing service, many industry players benefited from gears manufactured from igus® material. Furthermore, iglidur® material can also help in reducing overall cost. Depending on size and complexity, mechanical manufacture of gears is much more expensive and complicated than part made from iglidur®.
No lubrication, no problem
Mechanically loaded parts are easily subjected to wear especially in the absence of lubrication. Its wear rate greatly increases when lubrication is not present. This is the reason why a metal ball bearing that can run for miles (literally and figuratively) can fail quickly without the proper lubrication. So how is it that igus’s 3D printing materials and products can be “lubricant-free”? – iglidur® material incorporates solid lubricants into the polymer and eliminates the need for additional lubrication. This delivers a number of advantages such as lower wear, better sliding properties, greatly reduced maintenance costs and cleaner machines (no more greasy fingers on machines with which users must interact).
Igus® manufactures lubrication-free and low wear 3d printing material for various applications. Click here to learn more about igus® 3D printing material
Comments
Post a Comment