Developing alternative solutions for 3D Printing

Henkel Adhesive Technologies has the ambition to leverage its technical expertise in material development and broad application knowledge to bring novel materials with unique properties that enable functional prototyping and additive manufacturing in areas not possible today.

Henkel is a leading global supplier of high performance light cure acrylic, silicone, epoxy, and polyurethane adhesives used in critical applications such as medical and electronic device as well as transportation vehicle assembly.

The company plans to use this wide range of technology expertise to offer novel light cure resins for use in SLA/DLP printing. The first of these new materials will be commercialised in 2017.

Henkel is also a leading supplier of hotmelt adhesives globally, developing high performance materials used in applications that include filter and medical device assembly as well as the protection of electronic assemblies.

These Henkel materials have already been used to 3D print functional applications such as furniture and elements for buildings. Henkel is focusing development in this area to provide novel filament and powder materials for us in SLS and FDM printers.

“Thanks to our broad material portfolio and our large customer base across different industries, we have the access and ability to enable 3D printed solutions for all kinds of functional applications,” explained Mike Olosky, Corporate Senior Vice President and Global Head of Innovation and New Business Development at Henkel Adhesive Technologies.

“We believe strongly in the future of additive manufacturing and expect that its full potential will come by identifying the right customer application and focusing the right materials, with the right printing process and leveraging the right software.”

Besides the development and formulation of suitable materials, Henkel demonstrates its 3D printing expertise through the partnership with the Dutch design and architecture start-up DUS Architects, who initiated the canal house project in Amsterdam in 2014.

With the help of a giant 3D printer (installation space 2 x 2 x 3.5 meters) a house façade, including the interior walls, made up of 42 components is to be printed and constructed by 2017. Earlier this year, DUS designed the façade of a mobile conference building in Amsterdam.

The individual elements were manufactured using Henkel hotmelt adhesives based on sustainable raw materials, and then injected with concrete. The bioplastic material provides the individual components with high consistency and stability, and can easily be recycled.