With MSLA to cost-effective series components made of photopolymer: First discussion forum on additive manufacturing at FIT
Connecting technology and the market to drive innovation is a matter of course for the FIT Additive Manufacturing Group. Now recently FIT invited guests across all industries in the context of a discussion forum to talk about their actual needs and wishes. The event with a special focus on the MSLA process is the kick-off event of a series of comparable in-house events on the key additive technologies of the moment.
The event was jointly organized by FIT and the ISZ e.V./EWIMA, the industrial association of the writing instruments industry. Customers from departments such as Purchasing, Product Development, and Business Development made good use of this highly focussed technology day to discuss the possibilities of MSLA technology with FIT's manufacturing specialists and learn about MSLA firsthand. In an open exchange, they could also provide FIT with valuable impulses for the strategic further development of this technology.
Progress at your fingertips
Given the seducing facts and performance figures, the visitors were particularly interested in the practical highlight of the event which was the visit to the production facilities. In addition to the MSLA systems, machines from a wide variety of plastics processes provided insight into the respective construction processes. A variety of demo parts allowed the guests to gain a vivid picture of the capabilities of the MSLA process and showed the differences and strengths compared with other plastics processing technologies.
The material plays a substantial role
A series of thematically matching presentations by material manufacturers Evonik, BASF, and Henkel Loctite rounded off the range of information on MSLA. The material plays a crucial part: if the available material cannot meet the customer's requirements for the finished product, then there will simply be no product at all. Industry-specific, regulatory requirements must be observed in many details. In the case of pen sleeves, for example, it is a matter of skin-friendliness, chemical resistance, e.g. in contact with hand lotions, as well as an overall pleasant haptic impression and surface texture.
Results of the event
The insights obtained from the MSLA discussion forum, along with material overviews, specific design guidelines, and everything worth knowing about MSLA technology will soon be published in a detailed technology guide, which can be downloaded free of charge from the company website at www.fit.technology/download. Pre-registrations are possible via the address marketing@fit.technology.
