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Filament production at Ensinger
Additive Manufacturing
Nihat Filaments

Thermoplastic filaments and additive manufacturing

Ensinger produces filaments and 3D printed components made from high temperature plastics and offers application advice to all issues around additive manufacturing of high performance plastics. Where high temperature plastics are required in FFF processes, Ensinger filaments are very well suited. There are stock materials available as well as the option to develop customized filaments.

Engineers of all Ensinger branches and divisions are in continuous exchange to provide specialised materials best fitting to the customers applications. The goal is to supply customers with high quality materials which can be used for new technologies like additive manufacturing.


Why Ensinger

  • Extensive standard portfolio with 22 different materials
  • Close tolerances
  • Homogeneous material
  • Various diameters, modifications and colours
  • Qualified for common printers

Though additive manufacturing is a relatively new field amongst the processing technologies, Ensinger has vast experience in the processing of high temperature plastics, which allows us to produce high precision and high quality filaments.

We provide continuous support throughout the whole process; from the selection of materials right through to production. Due to our compound production and development experts you are free to design and develop a material that meets your individual application requirements.

The knowledge transfer between divisions and specialized engineers of all branches within the Ensinger Group helps to find the best solution for each customer and each application.


High quality Filaments

Ensinger is providing a broad spectrum of filaments made of different materials with different properties. We offer stock filaments and filaments from materials customized according to your needs.

Additive manufacturing - services and activities

On the basis of a vast and longstanding experience in working with high temperature thermoplastics Ensinger offers consultation for the whole workflow of additive manufacturing. In this new and ever-changing enviroment of 3D printing, we work in close co-operation with universities, research organisations and printer manufacturers. Our specialists will help you to find the right material for your desired application, provide you with high quality filaments and consult you throughout the process of the printing, machining and all finishing processes.


Advantages of additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing with Ensinger filaments enables forms of products which are not possible with any other processing technology. This opens application fields for high performance plastics that were unthinkable before.

  • Free forms, honeycomb and lattice structures
  • Integration of functions: parts that previously had to be produced in several pieces can now be produced in one go and in one piece
  • Freedom in design

3D print is an additive process, in which objects are being constructed in layers starting from the base. Different processing technologies are available. The suitable technology depends on the mechanical properties, the different advantages of the materials and the aesthetic requirements.

Together with the partners Ensinger is engaged in different processing technologies. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is looking very promising for the future of processing high performance thermoplastics. The focus is on Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF).


Combining all steps of processing: Ensinger covers the entire value added supply chain

Beginning with the compounds, which can be modified according to specific customer requirements, moving right through to the production of the actual filaments, which are then used for producing parts via additive manufacturing. Additionally, further processing such as machining, surface finishing and laser marking can be used to optimise the result.


Core industries for Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing for medical technology applications

  • Individual parts starting with lot 1
  • Integration of functions
  • Reduction of parts
  • Customer specific implants
  • Single use applications
  • ISO 10993 tested materials
  • X-ray detectable materials

Additive Manufacturing for aerospace applications

  • Weight reduction through infill structures
  • Thin wall structures
  • Flame retardant materials
  • FAR 25.853 tested materials

Additive manufacturing for automotive applications

  • Lightweight parts
  • Prototype parts
  • Customer specific or exclusive parts
  • Parts for racing
  • UL94 V-0 tested materials

Additive manufacturing for mechanical engineering

  • Tool inserts
  • Mounting aids
  • Impellers
  • Injection nozzles
  • Cooling elements and structures
  • Single use applications
  • UL94 V-0 tested materials

Fields of applications

  • Additive manufacturing is especially suitable for individualised parts.
  • For lightweight construction lattice and honeycomb structures can easily be erected.
  • The topology can be improved by adapting the geometry to the flow of forces in the part and the load of it.
  • In rapid prototype production view and function samples significantly reduce the development time leading up to series production.
  • Parts for the aftermarket do not have to be produced on stock and stored, but can instead be produced in short terms according to requirements.
  • Parts can be individualised according to customer or application requirements.
  • Fashion and lifestyle products, as well as automotive parts can be produced exclusively.
  • Freeforming permits extravagant designs.

Application examples

Lightweight strut made of TECAFIL PEEK natural, 3D printed and machined

The honeycomb structure can be covered with 3D printing from both sides. This is not possible with other methods (compared to CNC milling and injection molding).

  • Significant weight reduction
  • Constant stability

Gear wheel made from TECAFIL PVDF natural, 3D printed and machined

  • Material savings (compared to CNC milling)
  • Time savings: complex preparations are not requiered
  • Good sliding and wear properties 

Guiding 3D print and machined made of TECASON P natural

  • Combination of additive and subtractive production processes
  • Lightweight construction: Weight reduction by hollow-chamber structures (aerospace)
  • High precision through manufacturing of functional surfaces, fits and threads by machining
  • High stiffness and strength

Race Car Engine Components

made with TECAFIL PEI 9085

Flame Retardant Filaments for Race Car Components

Our TECAFIL PEI 9085 filament is inherently flame retardant, certified to UL94-V0 and meets Flame, Smoke & Toxicity safety standards. 3D printed components made with the filament are therefore perfectly suited for race car applications. Together with development partner DREIGEIST, StarkStrom Augsburg e.V. successfully uses Ensingers 3D printing filament TECAFIL PEI 9085 natural for parts of the race car´s engine. Read more about the exciting application here!

Marius Graf

Ensinger GmbH
Rudolf-Diesel-Straße 8
71154 Nufringen
Germany

[obfemailstart]bWFyaXVzLmdyYWZAZW5zaW5nZXJwbGFzdGljcy5jb20=[obfemailend]
Phone +49 7032 819 410
Mobile +49 175 8845605


DOwnloads

Additive manufacturing: TECAFIL – filaments for 3D printing

You can obtain filaments made from high-temperature, engineering and standard plastics with very narrow tolerances for your 3D printing – either as standard materials or tailored individually to your requirements.