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Xaar: Open Printheads for Developing Inkjet 3D Printing Technologies https://ift.tt/2R54JAn Xaar is a Cambridge based company that makes many different kinds of inkjet head. It is also has invested in High Speed Sintering (HSS), the Factum machine both pioneered by Neil Hopkinson to increase throughput in 3D printing. What may come as a surprise to many is that apart from HSS, Xaar is looking to partner with more 3D printing businesses. The company is actively seeing to develop applications with OEMs and industrial partners through which new inkjet-based 3D printing technologies are commercialized. The company’s business development manager Mike Seal explained Xaar’s position, capabilities and vision to 3DPrint.com at the TCT Show. With new inkjet technologies ramping up to be the next area to be commercialized and inkjet in metals one of the hottest areas for investment currently inkjet is a very exciting technology now. Inkjet piggybacks on billions and decades of investment in new and interesting ways to get lots of different inks to stick in a coherent way to lots of different things. If we just make that a 3D technology then we can expand the space of the makable significantly. Uniquely Xaar is open about its inkjet heads letting you play with them and have settings information so you can actually develop a new technology. The company is also open to working directly with you in making a material or substrate work in inkjet. Why is Xaar interested in 3D printing?
3. What is HSS?
4. So separately from HSS, Xaar would like to engage with the 3D printing “Yes, definitely. We are looking to engage with users of the full range of 3D printing technologies and with partners from all aspects of the process, including OEMs, end- users, 3D print bureaus, materials suppliers and fluids manufacturers.” 5. What kind of companies and people would you like to work with? “All kinds – anyone with the drive to innovate and collaborate. We offer an open model for fluids and electronics which means we do not insist our partners develop with prescribed fluids and electronics.” 6. When developing new materials for inkjet how does Xaar work with people?
7. Do you want to work with OEMs to make new inkjet 3D printing technologies? “Yes, we do, and it is certainly something we have done in the past. For example, developing customised printheads for a specific application by way of a funded programme.We offer an ‘open’ model whereby our partners are able work with the 11. What types of inkjet 3D printing technologies could there be? “Drop-on-Demand is a hugely flexible inkjet technology that continues to reach new 13. Batteries? “Technically yes, provided that fluids are correctly formulated. We have jetted fluids used in the manufacture of batteries, fuel cells and photovoltaics. Inkjet lends itself very well to layer, coating and lamination based applications.” 14. How about coatings for parts? “Yes, it is possible to use inkjet as a more controlled method of spray coating. Currently, inkjet is used for product printing and direct-to-shape applications whereby a graphical image, text or a coating is applied to the outside of a three dimensional 15. What are some cutting-edge inkjet applications being developed now? “We are unable to talk about specific applications due to reasons of confidentiality. However, there is significant focus on Flat Panel Display technology, and also on applications in the pharmaceuticals, biomedical and semiconductorindustries.” Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://3dprint.com September 27, 2018 at 11:21AM
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