Driving Industrial Transformation: 3DGence’s Cutting-Edge 3D Printing Innovations Unveiled at Formnext

Poland has rapidly emerged as a significant hub for manufacturing and technological innovation within Europe, fostering numerous key players and leading manufacturers. This prominence extends beyond traditional desktop machinery, deeply integrating into advanced industrial sectors. It is precisely within this dynamic and evolving landscape that the Polish company 3DGence has carved out a substantial opportunity for itself in the realm of industrial 3D printing. During the highly anticipated Formnext exhibition, a premier global event for additive manufacturing, 3DGence proudly showcased its latest advancements and core innovations specifically tailored for the demanding industrial sector, setting new benchmarks for productivity and material versatility.

As a distinguished member of the Michał Sołowow Group, 3DGence has strategically specialized in sophisticated dual-extrusion 3D printers, which are pivotal for complex industrial applications requiring multi-material capabilities or advanced support structures. Their flagship models include the robust INDUSTRY F340, engineered for high-performance engineering plastics, and the versatile 3DGence DOUBLE P255, renowned for its precision and reliability in diverse manufacturing environments. Complementing their dual-extrusion lineup, the company also offers the 3DGence ONE, a high-quality single-extruder 3D printer that caters to a broad range of prototyping and functional part production needs. To further underscore its commitment to growth and innovation, 3DGence utilized the platform of Formnext’s third edition to unveil significant developments: an array of new industrial-grade materials specifically optimized for their machines, alongside an impressive robotic arm entirely fabricated using their 3D printing technology, serving as a powerful demonstration of their printers’ immense capabilities and reliability across various industrial solutions.

Revolutionary Materials: Fueling Industrial Additive Manufacturing Growth

The evolution and availability of advanced 3D printing materials were undeniably one of the most compelling and widely discussed themes at Formnext 2018. This focus reflects a broader industry trend where material science is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone for unlocking new applications and greater performance in additive manufacturing. The industrial filament market, in particular, has experienced explosive growth, demonstrating a staggering 217% increase over the past two years alone, according to a comprehensive study conducted by the Belgian firm Filaments.Discover earlier this year. This remarkable surge highlights a significant shift: more and more companies are not just exploring, but actively investing in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology, also known as molten deposition, for industrial-level applications. This technology, once primarily associated with rapid prototyping, is now robustly being reinforced and developed for the production of high-quality, durable final parts, pushing the boundaries of what’s achievable with 3D printing in critical sectors.

Aligning with and indeed leading this critical trend within the 3D printing sector, 3DGence proudly unveiled its **first soluble support filament specifically designed for ABS**. This innovative support material represents a significant breakthrough for industrial users. When printing complex geometries with ABS, traditional solid supports often require time-consuming and labor-intensive manual removal, which can damage the final part or compromise its surface finish. 3DGence’s new soluble filament, however, allows for effortless post-processing; simply dissolving the support material leaves behind a cleaner, more intricate part with superior surface quality. This development not only simplifies the workflow but also enables the creation of highly advanced and previously unprintable geometries, guaranteeing an exceptional finish. Mateusz Sidorowicz, 3DGence Marketing Director, emphasized the strategic importance of this development, stating, “We know that industrial applications require the easiest solutions.” This new material is fully compatible with their high-performance 3DGence INDUSTRY F340 printer, further extending its versatility and making ABS a more viable material for complex industrial components.

Beyond soluble supports, 3DGence continued to push material boundaries by presenting a new filament made from PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) thermoplastic, a material highly prized in demanding industries for its exceptional properties. This advanced material offers manufacturers the flexibility to print in two distinct variants: amorphous or crystalline, each offering specific mechanical and thermal characteristics suitable for different applications. PEEK is renowned for its outstanding strength-to-weight ratio, high temperature resistance, excellent chemical inertness, and superior wear resistance, making it an ideal choice for aerospace, medical, automotive, and oil & gas sectors where performance under extreme conditions is paramount. This high-performance material was meticulously developed and optimized for the 3DGence INDUSTRY F340, a printer already recognized among industry favorites for its ability to precisely process high-performance polymers like PEEK and Ultem. The combination of the F340’s precision engineering and 3DGence’s proprietary PEEK filament empowers users to create exceptionally durable, resistant, and functional parts that can withstand the harshest operating environments.

A 3D Printed Robotic Arm: Demonstrating the Power of 3DGence Technology

To powerfully illustrate the robust potential of its advanced machines and innovative materials, 3DGence undertook an ambitious project: the development and presentation of a fully functional robotic arm. This groundbreaking demonstration was conceived and executed by its dedicated research and development department and proudly displayed during the Formnext fair. What made this exhibit particularly striking was that the robotic arm was created almost entirely from 3D printed components, utilizing a combination of ABS and PLA. This extraordinary feat served as a tangible testament to the capabilities of 3DGence’s industrial 3D printers, showcasing their precision, reliability, and versatility for a wide array of demanding industrial solutions, from intricate prototypes to potentially end-use applications.

Przemysław Wolnicki, 3DGence Development Manager, elaborated on the vision behind this remarkable creation: “We have built a 120 kg robotic arm with great repeatability of movement. Our primary objective was to rigorously test the real-world capabilities and endurance of 3DGence 3D printers, and I can unequivocally confirm that we thoroughly validated the immense usability of FDM technology not only in the prototyping process but also in the creation of robust, functional components.” This demonstration highlighted several key aspects: the ability to create large, complex structures with FDM, the durability and reliability of the printed parts under dynamic loads, and the exceptional precision and repeatability of movements – a critical requirement for any industrial robotic system. The 120 kg weight of the arm itself underscores the structural integrity and strength achievable with 3DGence’s technology and chosen materials, providing compelling evidence of its readiness for demanding industrial environments where precision and consistent performance are non-negotiable.

Further emphasizing the robust potential and reliability of its machines, 3DGence extends a unique opportunity to prospective clients: the ability to request a complimentary sample part, meticulously printed using its advanced 3D printing technology. This direct experience allows users to personally evaluate the exceptional quality, strength, and durability achievable with 3DGence’s industrial solutions. Customers have the flexibility to choose from three distinct, pre-selected models, each designed to showcase specific material properties and geometric complexities. These options include: the high-performance **PEEK helical compound gear**, which highlights the material’s superior mechanical properties and the printer’s ability to produce intricate, functional gears; the robust **PC-ABS brake caliper**, demonstrating the excellent structural integrity and resilience of this composite material for demanding applications; and the precise **ABS indexing gear**, illustrating the fine detail and accurate dimensional stability crucial for engineering components. By providing these tangible samples, 3DGence invites engineers and manufacturers to experience firsthand the tangible benefits of integrating their cutting-edge additive manufacturing capabilities into their operations, fostering confidence in the performance of parts created with these advanced technologies and the reliability of their European-manufactured machines.

The innovations presented by 3DGence at Formnext underscore their position as a leading force in industrial 3D printing. Their commitment to developing high-performance materials and robust, versatile printers like the INDUSTRY F340 and DOUBLE P255, combined with practical demonstrations like the robotic arm, signifies a clear vision for the future of additive manufacturing. These advancements are not merely incremental; they represent strategic steps towards making industrial 3D printing more accessible, efficient, and capable of producing end-use parts across a myriad of sectors. By addressing critical needs such as complex geometry support and high-performance material processing, 3DGence is actively driving the industrial transformation, reinforcing Poland’s growing influence in the global additive manufacturing landscape.

To delve deeper into the groundbreaking developments and explore the comprehensive range of solutions offered by this pioneering Polish company, we encourage you to visit their official website here.

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