Boston Micro Fabrication rolled out four new materials that are said to offer new possibilities for micro manufacturing across the electronics, medical, and industrial sectors.
MAYNARD, Mass.— The 3D printing technology company Boston Micro Fabrication (BMF) is introducing four new materials for its microArch series 3D printers that are reported to open new possibilities for advanced applications across the electronics, medical, and industrial sectors.
The advanced materials include 3D Systems’ Figure 4® HI TEMP 300-AMB; BASF Ultracur3D 3280; and BMF resins HTF and SR. They are said to “further enhance BMF’s ability to meet the diverse and demanding needs of industries like aerospace, medical devices, electronics, and biotechnology,” according to a release from Boston Micro Fabrication.
“By adding these advanced materials to the lineup, BMF is enabling engineers and researchers to create fit-for-purpose precision parts with unprecedented accuracy, heat resistance, and material performance,” the release stated.
Boston Micro Fabrication is a manufacturer of “ultra-high precision 3D printing” technologies, including micro-scale 3D printers for use in the healthcare, life sciences, electronics, and machining industries. The company’s microArch system printers use BMF’s proprietary PμSL (Projection Micro Stereolithography) technology to produce accurate and precise high-resolution 3D prints for product development, research, and industrial short run production, BMF said in the release.
According to the company, 3D Systems Figure 4 HI TEMP 300-AMB is a production-grade, ultra-high temperature resistant plastic that offers a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of over 300°C, with no secondary thermal post-cure required. Ideal for extreme thermal environments, the material has excellent rigidity and visualization properties, and is reported to be well-suited for HVAC components, consumer appliances, motor enclosures, and low-pressure molding. It offers precise testing of high-temperature parts, the release said.
The BASF Ultracur3D 3280 material is a ceramic-filled resin that is reported to feature exceptional stiffness (Young’s modulus of 10 GPa) and a high heat deflection temperature (>280°C). “Ultracur3D 3280 is ideal for tooling, molding, and wind tunnel testing,” the release stated. “Its low viscosity and stable suspension make it both easy to handle and print, positioning it as a standout material in the field of high-temperature and high-stiffness applications.”
The HTF (High-Temp) material, designed by Boston Micro Fabrication, is described as a “high-temperature resistant, tough, and biocompatible resin.” The material is autoclave-sterilizable and, with a heat deflection temperature of 152°C, HTF is said to offer versatility across a range of demanding environments, including aerospace, precision electronics, and biotechnology applications.
Boston Micro Fabrication’s SR (Sacrificial Resin) material is described as a “soluble, sacrificial material” that “dissolves in a sodium hydroxide solution and facilitates cost-effective part production.” It is reported to enable the creation of single-use molds for parts produced with other materials that cannot be easily printed, such as polypropylene (PP) or polyoxymethylene (POM). “This material opens new possibilities for prototyping and low-volume production by reducing the cost and complexity of micro-injection molding,” the company stated in the release.
Unlocking new possibilities for micro manufacturing
Each of the four new materials is said to complement “the unique capabilities of BMF’s microArch 3D printers, ensuring that industries like medical devices, electronics, and aerospace can continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with micro-scale 3D printing,” according to the release.
“Before discovering BMF, Makuta struggled to find a cost-effective solution for prototyping due to the size and complexity of their molded parts,” said Taki Yamada, director of business development at Makuta Micro Molding, of Shelbyville, Indiana. “Traditional methods like aluminum or urethane molds often fell short in holding the required tolerances, and the expense of creating entirely new molds was prohibitive.
“Using BASF Ultracur3D 3280 on BMF’s microArch system, we were blown away by the impeccable finish and precision of the first 3D printed mold inserts we received,” Yamada continued. “Not only were they able to reproduce intricate features flawlessly, but they also maintained the tight tolerances our projects demand.”
George Glatts, owner of Pennsylvania-based Z-Axis Connector Company, credited Boston Micro Fabrication’s micro-precision 3D printing technology with completely transforming how Z-Axis Connector approaches connector manufacturing.
“Previously limited to tolerances of 5 thousandths with traditional methods, BMF allowed us to achieve tolerances of 1 to 2 thousandths, opening new possibilities for compact, high-performance connectors,” Glatts said in the release. “Their platform also enabled us to use 3D Systems Figure 4 HI TEMP 300-AMB material that can withstand temperatures up to 300°C, meeting the demands of standard electronic assembly processes, enhancing efficiency, and allowing us to create more compact, innovative designs. With BMF, we’ve reduced time and costs while delivering precision and performance that surpass industry standards.”