Ricoh and Solvay announce cooperation
Ricoh will collaborate with Solvay, the pioneer in polyamide 6 (PA6 powder) processing. With this cooperation, Ricoh further expands its resources in 3D printing and strengthens the use of the polyamide Sinterline® Technyl® PA6, creating a unique performance and competence offering that is demonstrated in the expanded application possibilities of the Ricoh AM S5500P in combination with the Sinterline® Technyl® PA6 GB (glass bead) high-performance powder.
The Ricoh AM S5500P is the largest system capable of printing with Sinterline® Technyl® PA6 GB, a material of strategic importance to the automotive, aerospace and defense industries. Very few systems in the world are capable of printing high temperature polyamides - the Ricoh AM S5500P is one of them. The combination of these two innovative solutions enables manufacturers to produce short runs and working prototypes with performance comparable to PA6 injection mouldings.
"The potential of PA6 GB allows us to further expand the range of applications for the Ricoh AM S5500P. The special properties of PA6 powder allow functional prototypes and are ideal for low-volume applications where the criteria of performance and durability of the parts are particularly important," explains Greg Plowman, Director European AM Business Group, Ricoh Europe.
Ralph Rissé, Sinterline® Global Business Development Manager, Solvay Performance Polyamides, adds: "Today, it is more important than ever to accelerate the development process of new applications across a wide range of industries, but especially in the automotive sector. Rapid prototyping of sophisticated components that are similar to the final materials in volume production gives OEMs and suppliers an overwhelming design advantage to compete globally.
