Project description DEENESFRITPL Transitioning 3D printing into additive manufacturing 3D printing, particularly plastic 3D printing, has enormous potential and is garnering great interest in several sectors and fields. However, despite all its possibilities, current plastic 3D printing solutions provide rough, uneven surfaces that are matt, vulnerable to dirt and a hotbed for germs, while also being unappealing. The EU-funded Powerfuse S 4 AM project aims to overcome these issues by developing and introducing VaporFuse Surfacing. This environmentally clean physiochemical process smooths the surface. It also allows for water-repellent, airtight and glossy surfaces, can be wiped in the case of being used for food or medical applications, and enables 3D printing to transition into additive manufacturing. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Today, plastic 3D-printing cannot fully exploit its potential. The surface qualities do not meet the requirements of theproducts. Rough surfaces, obtained on as-printed parts, are matt, susceptible to dirt, a breeding ground for germs and do notexhibit an appealing appearance. This is where the Powerfuse S comes in. It enables a scalable surface smoothing of 3Dprintedpolymer parts by a stable, reproducible and environmentally friendly physio-chemical process, the so-calledVaporFuse Surfacing (VFS). Apart from optical advantages, the VFS treated parts offer smooth, water-repellent and glossysurfaces. The parts have wipeable surfaces for food and medical applications, increased mechanical properties and scratchresistance and assure water- and airtightness for carrying fluids or gases. VFS can substitute the extensive preparation forsubsequent spray coating and delivers powder residue-free parts for clean room applications. VFS challenges traditionalinjection molding for the first time and enables 3D-printing to finally become Additive Manufacturing. Within this project, thePowerfuse S is to be further developed into a large-scale, industry 4.0-ready sustainable system. The smoothing processesare optimized and developed for other industry-relevant polymers. Parallel to the technical side, all legal, sales andoperational foundations are being laid to get this pioneering product to market. Automated post-processing of AMparts is inevitable to fully exploit all advantages of AM like mass customization of complex products with reduced costs andproduction times as well as a decrease of waste and scrap. It opens unprecedentedpossibilities for the production of tomorrow and has the potential to disrupt whole industries. Especially the enablement ofon-site production and reducing complexity of global supply chains as well as enabling weight reduction in the aerospace industry through complex product design is a key enabler in saving energy and GHG emissions. Fields of science natural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciencesengineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and filmsengineering and technologymechanical engineeringmanufacturing engineeringadditive manufacturing Keywords 3D-printing Additive Manufacturing post-processing polymers chemical smoothing smart manufacturing industry 4.0 clean vapor technology Programme(s) H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges Main Programme H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies Topic(s) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2020-4 - H2020-EIC Accelerator pilot –SME Instrument - Green Deal Call for proposal H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020-4 Funding Scheme SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2 Coordinator DYEMANSION GMBH Net EU contribution € 1 498 404,00 Address Robert koch strasse 1 82152 Planegg-munich Germany See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Landkreis Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 642 173,14