BCN3D and Henkel Focus On Creating Formulations for New VLM Technology

A while ago, in 2020, Spanish company BCN3D and the German Henkel group joined forces for a long-term partnership. Recently, it has been announced that the collaboration will now focus on developing formulations for the recently launched Viscous Lithography Manufacturing (VLM) 3D printing technology. Henkel, which is particularly known for providing end-to-end engineering solutions within additive manufacturing, is playing a major role when it comes to the new materials for VLM and is helping BCN3D achieve its goal of accelerated manufacturing autonomy.

The long-term goal of both sides in this partnership of manufacturers is supposed to be to ensure full control over every stage of the production process within additive manufacturing. To make that a reality, the special properties of VLM will be used to generate new and innovative solutions for high-performance resins.

VLM has many new benefits in additive manufacturing (photo: BCN3D/Henkel)

What Kind of Technology is VLM?

Viscous Lithography Manufacturing is a lithography-based 3D printing process, in which thin layers of highly viscous resins are laminated onto a transparent transfer film. This allows high-performance components to be produced in a fast and cost-effective process. The main difference to existing resin technologies in additive manufacturing is that VLM is capable of using resins that are 50 times more viscous than the industrial standard resins are today. This can also be traced back to the latest modifications of constraints. New ingredients can now be added to the resin to achieve the desired changes in thermal and mechanical properties.