The ACEO technology developed by the researchers uses a drop-on-demand method. The printer head deposits tiny silicone droplets on a substrate. In this way, the workpiece is built up layer by layer. The silicone is formulated so that the droplets flow together before the curing process begins, activated by UV light. The silicone droplets and layers thus produce a homogeneous workpiece, which does not differ much from injection-molded parts. With the aid of water-soluble support materials, it is also possible to make parts with complex geometries, such as overhang materials and internal lattice structures.

The automotive and aerospace industries are currently the main customer sectors for 3D. At the moment, additive manufacturing is growing most rapidly in medical applications. Biomodeling and tailored, customer-specific geometries are particularly promising. In these types of applications, silicones can display their favorable properties particularly well. Silicones are heat resistant, flexible at low temperatures, transparent and biocompatible. They can furthermore be pigmented in any color and have good damping properties.

About ACEO

WACKER offers services relating to 3D printing with silicone under the ACEO brand. In a webshop, customers can upload their own designs and order 3D-printed silicone parts. These are then produced in the ACEO print fab and shipped all around the world. Consultation and development services for the design and manufacture of silicone parts or assemblies round out the ACEO team's range of services.

About the 'Alexander Wacker Innovation Award'

Since 2005, the Munich-based chemical company has honored employees' outstanding R&D work at its annual research symposium. Named after the company's founder, the €10,000 'Alexander Wacker Innovation Award' alternates between the categories of product innovation, process innovation and basic research. Next year, this groupwide competition will focus on basic research.

Wacker Chemie AG published this content on 20 October 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
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