Wacker has spent two years perfecting its 3D printing process using silicone as an additive material. With the launch of the Aceo series, the technology testing phase is complete and mass production has begun.
Wacker is the world's second-largest manufacturer of silicones. With this significant advancement, the German giant is firmly establishing itself in the integration of additive manufacturing processes.
How Aceo works
Aceo technology is based on a "drop-on-demand" principle. Silicone deposits are made with the print head and combined to create homogeneous surfaces with complex shapes.
After each layer of printing material is deposited, the curing process is activated by UV light . This action sets the shape of the layer and allows a new layer of material to be deposited.
Subsequently , the object produced is subjected to high temperatures to finish curing the silicone and obtain the final mechanical properties, a standard process for silicone elastomers.
At the end of the printing process, the silicone-printed object is removed from the printer and the support material is quickly removed with water.
"We do not have any connection between the print head and the component during the individual droplet dosing process, this brings considerable advantages in terms of precision of design freedom."
Online printing service
In addition to marketing the Aceo K series of printers, the manufacturer has activated an online printing service.
Users can upload their CAD designs to the dedicated website . The objects are printed in Germany and shipped worldwide . A diverse team of technicians oversees the entire process to ensure it runs smoothly. This team includes experts in various fields: materials, hardware, and software.
The possibilities offered by the Aceo range are numerous. We can create prototypes or directly print molds to quickly and easily manufacture small production runs . All this without sacrificing the quality and detail of the prints.