ZETAMIX, the first Desktop Ceramic 3D printer on the market

Project Information

ZETAMIX

Grant agreement ID: 868243

DOI

10.3030/868243

Project closed

EC signature date 7 May 2019

Start date 1 June 2019

End date 30 November 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

NANOE
France

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ZETAMIX (ZETAMIX, the first Desktop Ceramic 3D printer on the market)

Reporting period: 2019-06-01 to 2019-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

If technical ceramics make further inroads into the marketplace with new applications, the general perception in the industry is that machining costs are too high, as the production process requires a specific component shape and size for application.

This is without doubts a major constraint to the massive adoption of advanced ceramic in the industry. In this context, 3 dimensions (3D) printing or additive manufacturing (AM) technologies appear as a solution to decrease costs of technical ceramics’ production, in particular for small series.

ZETAMIX project aimed at developing a range of ready-to-use ceramic filaments that can be used with common desktops FDM 3D printers. ZETAMIX allows to print quicker, for an affordable price, and to combine several materials. Key benefits of ZETAMIX innovative method for 3D printing of ceramics also include a complete freedom of shape, soluble and detachable support and a density superior to 99% with homogeneous microstructure obtained after debinding and sintering.

The SME Instrument Phase 1 Feasibility study was fully conclusive and decisive for the future of Nanoe, as all technical and business initial objectives were met. Perspectives were identified, that will allow Nanoe to accelerate its development.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The feasibility study aimed to develop filaments for fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing technology of ceramic and metal parts. The main technological challenges were first to find the right binding formulation to maintain sufficient flexibility and good tolerance to mechanical stress despite a volumetric load higher than 50%. The second challenge was to find the right settings for 3D printing and de-binding parts.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Some major technological improvement has been done during this Feasibility Study, in particular regarding post-processing, scrap reduction and parts’ quality and precision, and facility of use.

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