Over the past few years, Henkel has established itself in the 3D printing industry by acquiring a number of smaller companies and entering into cooperation with particularly promising start-ups. One of them is California Nexa3D, which deals with additive manufacturing technologies from polymeric materials. As part of the collaboration between Henkel and Nexa3D, work began on a new resin line that will be distributed via global start-up channels.
Henkel’s many years of experience in the field of light-curing resins used in SLA and DLP methods and the knowledge of specialists from Nexa3D is to help create a professional resin line dedicated to the production of functional parts. The first material from the new line is 3843-xABS resin, developed using Henkel Loctite material technology. The material has been optimized for production on the NXE400.
The 3843-xABS resin allows for the production of flexible elements with increased mechanical strength, resistant, among others for damage due to stretching. It is also characterized by high thermal resistance, which means that the material – according to the creators – can be used for the production of highly loaded parts. Among the wide range of applications, they distinguish, among others mechanical assemblies for robots and machines, brackets, levers and components for the needs of the autmotive industry.
This is the first material in the planned resin line, compatible with the NEXA 3D 3D printer – companies are currently working on a series of materials to enable the creation of functional parts in a wider range of applications. NEXA3D devices work in Continuous LSPC technology. This method is based on standard stereophotography, but due to the introduced improvements, the 3D printer gives the possibility of much faster 3D printing (up to 1 cm per minute). What makes the solution stand out from the competition is the fact that it combines high production speed and appropriate workmanship for even the most demanding applications.
Avi Reichental, co-founder and CEO of Nexa3D, former CEO of 3DSystems, emphasized that establishing cooperation with such an experienced partner as Henkel is a huge step forward for his company in providing additive solutions for industry. He adds that Nexa3D’s ambition is to provide 3D printing materials for the largest manufacturing companies around the world.