FDM introduces 3D printing of PEEK to UK aerospace industry

PEEK is a notoriously difficult thermoplastic to 3D print as it needs a very specialised system to allow successful production. Roboze, based in Italy, has developed a HVP (High Viscosity Polymer) extruder to reach temperatures of over 450°C, overcoming the barriers of other Fusion filament machines currently on the market.

FDM Digital’s production experience and design skills in additive layer manufacturing (ALM) puts it in a good position to develop high value applications using this innovative Beltless machine which adds even more accuracy to the parts produced.

PEEK is well known in industry with properties such as: resistance to high temperature; high strength-to-weight ratio; chemical resistance; excellent reliability with improved fatigue strength and creep resistance; useable in extreme wear environments because of its excellent abrasion resistance.

Combining the power of 3D printing with the durability of PEEK will open up many new high value applications in aerospace sectors.

Graeme Bond, FDM CEO, said: “3D printing has been proven to be a fantastically efficient and effective manufacturing process across the aerospace industry. Marrying it with PEEK brings another whole world of opportunity in many industry sectors. Though it’s very early days, we are really looking forward to seeing how far we can take this cutting-edge Roboze technology as we drive it from an engineering perspective.”

John Beckett, MD of Europac which distributes the Roboze machine in the UK, said: “If anyone is going to manufacture innovative applications using this technology, then it’s FDM Digital. We are really pleased to be working with the team and are anticipating a wide range of prototypes and products. No-one really knows the extent of this machine’s abilities, but we are now on track to finding out.”

FDM Digital Solutions will be holding an open day to demonstrate this new capability on the 11th April. Delegates will see at first-hand this technology at FDM’s additive manufacturing facility in Lancashire and will hear from a range of experts in the field, including Roboze chief technology officer, Simone Cuscito.

www.fdmdigitalsolutions.co.uk