Gripper tongs with elastic pulling tendons - multi-material

Posted by Petra Rapp on August 13, 2020 .

Multi-material printing elastic - firm

		dimension		200x240x10mm
		weight		60g
		Material Tendons		Multec PLA Soft
		Material gripper support structure		Multec PLA-HT
		Materials lettering		Multec PLA
		print time		03:35 h

Helicopter DLR wind tunnel model

Posted by Petra Rapp on August 13, 2020 .

 wind tunnel model

		dimension		1.84m length
		weight		7.5kg
		material		Multec PLA-HT
		print time		120 h

At the request of the German Aerospace Center, a 3D-printed helicopter wind tunnel model with a length of approx. 1.84 meters . The multi-part model is printed and screwed together in several parts.

Due to the manufacturing process in 3D printing, interior areas can be printed mostly hollow , only areas that are particularly stressed are specifically reinforced and provided with greater wall thicknesses and filling levels.

Despite its size, the model only weighs 7.5 kg and withstands wind speeds of up to 270 km/h .

Multec PLA-HT is used as the material. The material is characterized by high strength and temperature resistance.

Perfect surfaces are required for wind tunnel models to avoid incorrect measured values ​​due to turbulence. The printed model was therefore subsequently sanded down and varnished . Due to the good reworkability (grinding, drilling, etc..), PLA-HT is ideal for painted components.

Compared to the conventional production of wind tunnel models from fiber composite materials, 3D printing is faster and cheaper .

In conventional manufacturing, molds must first be milled, which are then used to manufacture components from glass/carbon fiber composites. Mold construction usually requires multi-part molds and is time-consuming and costly. The components are often manufactured by hand and this is also associated with a great deal of effort.

In 3D printing, even complex geometries can be reproduced in a single work process. Mold making is completely eliminated - depending on the size of the component, the printed component is ready for use within a few working days. Due to the additive structure of the model, material is only applied where it is needed - there is virtually no waste compared to machining.

Overall, 3D printing at Multec saved several thousand euros in mold construction costs compared to production using lamination technology, and the delivery time from the order to the finished component was reduced enormously. The ecological footprint of 3D printing with this Multec PLA-HT material is also excellent, as it is produced from renewable raw materials and is both recyclable and biodegradable.

Multi-material pressure rubber sleeve with flange

Posted by Petra Rapp on August 13, 2020 .

Multi-material printing elastic/solid/sliding

		dimension		100x40x80mm
		weight		50g
		Material rubber bellows		Multec PLA Soft
		material flange		Multec PLA-HT
		Material plain bearing		Sliding material Igus
		print time		04:15 h

The example of a sleeve with a printed flange and bearing points is a practical example of how several materials can be used in one application. This multi-material cuff was produced in one printing process on a Multirap M500 .
The elastic material is Multec PLA Soft 120 . To fix the component, the flexible sleeve is replaced by a high-strength flange made of Multec PLA-HT . The guide bushes are made of a sliding material .
This component is an example of how 3D printing can be used to integrate the functions of several materials in one printing process.
Assembly is eliminated, as are constructive connecting elements. Already in the component, the corresponding material connection is provided by positive locking in addition to welding .
this way, seals already integrated into the pressure part .