ARBURG at rapid+tct 2025

From 8 to 10 April 2025, ARBURGadditive will be presenting its portfolio for additive manufacturing at stand no. 2308 in Detroit, US. The centrepiece will be a high-temperature version of the freeformer 750-3X, which can process materials such as Ultem 9085 and PEAK as original granules. The technology's broad application spectrum will also be demonstrated by a large number of components, including 3D-printed light switches as spare parts for Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), TPU-based knee implants as cartilage replacements, and multi-material grippers for robotic systems.

freeformer 750-3X in high-temperature version

rapid + tct 2025 will see the presentation of a high-temperature version of the freeformer 750-3X, which can additively manufacture sophisticated functional components from a wide range of different plastic granules. The temperature of the build chamber can be raised to 200 degrees Celsius, with the granules plasticised at up to 450 degrees Celsius. The high-end machine has three discharge units, meaning that even complex geometries and functional multi-material combinations with support material can be created.

Wide range of materials

Plastic granules with specific approvals and certifications for applications in the medical, electronics, mobility and aviation sectors, for example, can also be processed. These include Ultem 9085, LMPEAK and PEEK. Another new addition to the APF material portfolio is Grilamid TR 90, a material approved for food and drinking water.

Spare parts and operating equipment on demand

One application example on show will be light switches made of flame-retardant PC/ABS compound, which Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) has produced on demand for its night trains using a freeformer. The production of plant pots by Osko shows how 3D printing and automated injection moulding processes complement each other perfectly. The injection-moulded pots are handled gently using special packaging automation with 3D-printed grippers that are precisely adapted to the product. The sturdy black gripper centrepiece made of fibre-reinforced plastic is two to three times lighter and significantly more cost-effective than aluminium. The four white gripper rings in a hard-soft combination were produced using the APF process. The soft gripper part is "inflated" with compressed air, thereby securing the moulded part for removal from the mould.

Innovative solutions for medical technology

At rapid + tct 2025, sample components on show will include nose and ear prostheses made from sterilisable TPE (TM5 Med). One new application idea is the "iKnee": a patient-specific implant based on medical TPU that can be inserted into the knee as a minimally invasive cartilage replacement. Another customer is realising hollow medical valve housings with a freeformer 750-3X, which produces these components in an airtight and resilient multi-material combination of PP and TPE.

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