Additive Manufacturing Making Silicone Accessible for 3D Printing

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Naddcon GmbH from Germany and Spectroplast AG from Zurich are combining their expertise to make silicone accessible for industrial-level 3D printing. To achieve this, the two companies have entered into an exclusive agreement to fulfill customer orders from Spectroplast in component manufacturing.

The range of materials in 3D printing has become highly diversified over the past decades. Silicone materials have long been an exception, especially when it comes to intricate components. The newly introduced material TrueSilX50 by Spectroplast in November 2024 enables for the first time the 3D printing of pure silicones using photopolymerization on an industrial scale. With the ability to achieve a Shore hardness of 48A, an elongation at break of 330 percent, and a tear resistance of 22 N/m, TrueSilX50 meets the requirements for elastomeric components such as seals, medical components, and wearables. Thanks to its chemical structure, silicone also offers high biocompatibility and resistance to environmental influences and temperature.

With our low-viscosity TrueSilX50, customers can print for the first time with unparalleled speed and resolution without compromising on mechanical requirements.

Dr. Pablo Hafner

The material is processed exclusively on the Lumia X1 machine from the company Axtra3D. The machine combines the processes of SLA (stereolithography) and DLP (digital light processing). As a result, components with high surface quality are produced in a short time. To increase production capacity, Naddcon has acquired an additional machine for their machinery fleet.

Dr. Pablo Hafner, CEO of Spectroplast, says: "With our low-viscosity TrueSilX50, customers can for the first time print with unparalleled speed and resolution without compromising on mechanical requirements. On the production side, however, corresponding expertise is needed. With Naddcon, we have a technologically very skilled partner by our side, where we know all our orders are in very good hands."

"Real alternative to injection molding"

Christian Steinhage, Managing Director of Naddcon, says: "As the exclusive partner of Spectroplast in Germany, we are consistently driving the establishment of silicone as a high-end polymer for 3D printing. We now see it as a genuine alternative to the injection molding process with diverse applications for companies." The application areas include prototypes and simulation models in medical and industrial applications, as well as end products in the fields of Med-Tech, robotics, and consumer electronics.

In addition to the Spectroplast orders, which are exclusively implemented by Naddcon, the Development and Application Center will also offer its expertise in silicone 3D printing to its end customers in the future.

Christian Steinhage adds: "With the partnership with Spectroplast, we are further expanding our expertise in the field of polymer materials. In this area, we see a very strong foundation both in terms of content and economically as a private development and application center for 3D printing." At Naddcon, not only is printing done, but extensive consulting is also provided. If needed, the engineers cover the entire process chain for their customers. This starts with evaluating which 3D printing method is sensible and feasible for customers and ends with the testing and certification of the finished components.