Malping Expands High-Performance Material Offerings for FGF PEEK
German additive manufacturing service provider Malping is increasing its focus on high-performance polymers like PEEK and PEKK, offering them as a service to electronics and medical industries.
Malping, a Germany-based additive manufacturing service provider, is expanding its capabilities in high-performance materials for Material Extrusion processes. The company operates both FGF (Fused Granulate Fabrication) and FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) high-temperature printers, providing parts and consulting services. Their current material portfolio includes PPS-GF20, PEKK, PEEK, and ULTEM 9085, with a strategic aim to serve the electronics and medical sectors more extensively.
Malping utilizes a range of equipment, from desktop machines to industrial systems, processing materials in both granulate and filament forms. For less detailed, high-volume applications, they leverage granulate, reporting deposition rates of up to 500 grams per hour and cost reductions exceeding 40%. A key piece of equipment is the NEW AIM3D ExAM 510, chosen for its substantial build volume (510 x 510 x 410 mm) and its ability to process a wide variety of pellets, including Metal Injection Molding (MIM) pellets, enhancing material availability. Malping indicates that this process is cost-effective for parts exceeding 1000 cubic centimeters, while smaller parts and runs are better suited for smaller desktop machines. They also operate a 22 Idex Vision Miner filament machine.
The company highlights successful applications such as PEEK power electronics components and PPS-GF20 circuit board frames. To enhance part quality, Malping collaborates with a CNC machining firm for surface finishing. They believe mastering the printing of PEEK, a challenging material, both technically and economically, will be a significant differentiator. Future growth plans include expanding their granulate offerings and incorporating specialty materials like ESD-safe options.
Malping's strategic shift towards high-temperature materials and specialized services like PEEK printing represents an evolution from the proliferation of basic desktop 3D printing services. By focusing on difficult-to-print, high-value materials and offering material selection consulting, they aim to carve out a niche and provide added value beyond simple part production.
Malping's focus on high-performance polymers like PEEK and PEKK using FGF and FDM is a move towards industrial-grade additive manufacturing. Mastering these materials, particularly for demanding sectors like electronics and medical, addresses a key industry need for functional, durable parts. This specialization is crucial as the AM services market matures, differentiating providers beyond basic desktop printing and enabling applications requiring advanced material properties.
Edited by the news editor with AI from the original report — please refer to the original source.