The Top PEEK and ULTEM FDM 3D Printers on the Market

Additive manufacturing users are increasingly looking for technical materials that meet their requirements and constraints. As a result, we have seen the materials market grow exponentially in recent years, with the aim of offering higher-performance solutions. This is true, for example, of the high-performance thermoplastics segment, better known to many as PEEK, PEKK or PEI. Mainly marketed in filament form, they have quite impressive chemical characteristics and mechanical properties, sometimes approaching those of certain metals. But they also involve more complex printing parameters, namely an extrusion temperature of over 350°C, a heated chamber and a printing plate capable of rising to over 100°C. These technical constraints explain the relatively small number of compatible 3D printers on the market. To help you in your search, 3Dnatives has compiled an alphabetical list of FDM 3D printers capable of printing PEEK and ULTEM materials.

AON3D Hylo™ Industrial 3D Printer

Manufactured in North America and purpose-built for high-performance polymers, AON3D’s Hylo™ PEEK & ULTEM™ 3D Printer combines the flexibility and cost advantages of open materials with the ease of use and repeatability commonly associated with fully integrated closed systems. End-to-end hardware automation, integrated in-process monitoring, AI-driven multiphysics process tuning, and the industry’s first real-time defect detection work together to deliver consistent, production-grade parts with minimal operator intervention. With a 650 × 450 × 450 mm build volume and an actively heated 250°C chamber, Hylo™ enables production of full-scale, same-day tooling and end-use parts with exceptional mechanical performance.

Photo Credits: AON3D

BigRep’s ALTRA 280 3D Printer

BigRep’s ALTRA 280 is an industrial FDM printer for high-performance materials with a large print chamber and up to four extruders. The machine features a 500 mm x 700 mm x 800 mm print chamber (print volume of 280 liters ), which enables the production of complex prototypes and end-use parts. The printing chamber and printing table reach temperatures of up to 180°C, enabling the use of high-performance materials such as ULTEM 9085 and PEEK. During printing, the chamber also acts as a hardening system, improving the mechanical properties, functionality and dimensional stability of parts. The 4 DSXs (Direct Synchronized Extruders) are capable of printing at 450°C up to 20 kg in one cycle to provide uninterrupted production with two respective backup extruders. In addition, each DSX features integrated cooling channels and multiple sensors for monitoring and control. The machine is suitable for applications in high-performance industries, such as aerospace, as well as for the production of robust, geometrically complex tooling and functional prototypes.