![]() ![]() Quick heat up camera so you don't wait an hour or more to start printing.Insulated chamber so heat doesn't heat up your workshop or leak heat from the machine.HEPA filter to capture harmful fumes and particles.If you only need PEEK parts occasionally, or you're not sure you need PEEK at all, try ordering your PEEK parts from an on-demand 3D printing service desk.īelow are some of the best features of PEEK printers in our opinion. Of course, not all PEEK printers are the same, and you'll need to balance your budget with the features you need in a printer and those you could live without. 3D printed PEEK is ideal for replacement parts (Source: Zortrax ) What to look for in a PEEK printer Of course they can handle plain ABS and even PLA if you can turn the heat down low enough. If they can print PEEK, these 3D printers can handle other high-performance polymers with similar print perimeters and high heat needs, such as PEAK, PEKK, PEI/Ultem, PPSU, and others. Fortunately, better PEEK printers will automate many of these settings for a more hassle-free experience.Īlthough most PEEK is 3D printed using FDM filament roll printing, PEEK has recently advanced in a more economical pellet form and as a powder for selective laser sintering (SLS). Print speed and layer height are important factors for successful PEEK printing. ![]() Infinam PEEK 9359 from Evonik (Source: Evonik)Īlexander and his team recently tested the Orion 3D printer and found that its thermal radiation heating, which heats the material (not air) to 320☌, produced better quality PEEK prints than injection molding, even along the Z axis. The heat must be constant and controllable, as how quickly you let the last layer cool also matters. Localized heating of the part, as well as a heated chamber to control crystallization, improves interlayer adhesion, according to Brian Alexander, polymer scientist and PEEK 3D printing expert at Solvay Specialty Polymers. Several 3D printers go beyond the heated bed and camera with technology that heats the PEEK part itself. Not only do you have to extrude the PEEK with a super heated die (300+ ✬) but you also have to keep it hot with a heated layer and chamber. This lattice-filled part is actually made of a PEKK material from the same family as PEEK from Stratasys (Source: Stratasys)Ī spool of PEEK filament may look like any other 3D printing plastic, but put it in a consumer machine and you'll quickly realize that this material needs something more specifically more heat. Now let's take a look at how to choose the best PEEK 3D printer for you, from office-friendly desktop versions to high-volume production machines. If you are not familiar with PEEK (and other polymers in the PEAK family), skip to the end to learn more about this sought-after and functional material. Īlthough PEEK is still among the most expensive polymers for additive manufacturing (still cheaper than most metals) and not the easiest to work with, today it is much more accessible than ever. Parts 3D printed in PEEK from Roboze, Stratasys, Indmatec and material spool from Evonik.Īt the same time, demand for 3D printers that can work with this material is growing, prompting manufacturers to produce increasingly affordable, larger and easier-to-use PEEK printers for companies looking to implement in-house manufacturing and prototyping. It's no wonder we're seeing more 3D-printed PEEK parts replacing metal in spacecraft, orthopedic implants, and even engine parts in high-performance auto racing. It is also ideal for electrical parts due to its electrical insulating properties and is widely used in applications requiring long-term resistance to pressure and wear, such as in the oil and gas industry.Ĭombine the qualities of this plastic with the capabilities of 3D printing and you have the ability to make almost any custom shape and complexity of parts out of a material that can withstand the harshest conditions. PEEK was chosen because it is strong enough to replace metal parts in some circumstances and is known to be resistant to space environments. In fact, 3D-printed PEEK parts (printed by Orion AM) will touch down on the Moon in April 2023 as part of a study of how different materials perform in the harsh lunar environment. PEEK is valuable for delivering better-than-metal medical implants and aerospace components because of its high strength-to-weight ratio. Parts made from this engineered material can be found in almost every industry. PEEK can produce parts stronger and lighter than stainless steel and aluminum with extremely high thermal, chemical and wear resistance. PEEK (polyetheretherketone) is one of the most popular thermoplastics in manufacturing, and for good reason. Looking for 3D printing with a stronger-than-metal polymer - PEEK? Our guide covers everything you need to know about PEEK. ![]()
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