The Łukasiewicz Research Network is a unique project of great commercial potential. It is an integrated market player providing attractive, comprehensive and competitive business solutions in the fields of automation, chemicals, biomedicine, ICT, materials, and advanced manufacturing. With 8,000 staff and 26 research institutes located in 12 cities across Poland, The Łukasiewicz Research Network is the third largest research network in Europe.
Among the novelties presented by the Łukasiewicz Research Network - Institute for Engineering of Polymer Materials and Dyes is the technological line for filament extrusion and the developed technology to produce experimental hybrid materials intended for spatial printing using FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling).
A key element of the line is the W25i screw extruder with an induction heating system. This system allows for a significant reduction in heating time of the plasticising system, which is advantageous from an economical point of view. It also has a maximum operating temperature of up to 600°C, which is not achievable with traditional solutions. The Łukasiewicz Research Network- Institute for Engineering of Polymer Materials and Dyes has developed technology for the extrusion of traditional polymeric materials (ABS, PLA) and high-performance polymeric materials (PEEK, PPS) in filament form for 3D printing. These materials can be used in numerous industries, among others; automotive, chemical, medical, textile, aviation and construction.
Key features
- The possibility of thermal processing of high-performance materials (PEEK, PPS), characterised by their high thermal resistance and mechanical strength.
- Line versatility – the possibility of thermal processing of conventional polymers as well as high-performance ones.
- The several-fold reduction in the machine’s heating time ensures energy savings. The direct heating of the plasticising system avoids thermal losses caused by indrect heat transfer between the resistance heater and the heated element.
- Filament extrusion speed up to 30 m/min with a filament diameter accuracy of ±0.05mm.
The offer is mainly addressed towards industry branches and research units operating in the field of processing and recycling of polymer materials and testing their properties. The Łukasiewicz Research Network - Institute for Engineering of Polymer Materials and Dyes also cooperates with companies from the paint and varnish industry and their applications.
