3D printing specialist AIM3D has now been granted patents in the USA and Europe. The granting of fundamental patents in the USA and Europe grants AIM3D broad technology protection in the field of compact decentralized pellet extruders and material extrusion printing with high-temperature materials. The US patents generally also cover filament extruders (FDM printers) for high-temperature applications and high-flow hot ends. AIM3D emphasizes that it is generally open to licensing this technology.
AIM3D, a spin-off from the University of Rostock, has been using 3D pellet printers since 2017, which, unlike conventional FDM printers, process granulates instead of filaments. The use of pellets offers significantly lower material costs and enables the use of recycled material, which increases the cost-effectiveness of the production strategy. Between 2016 and 2018, AIM3D applied for several patents, which have now been granted. These protect both the topology of the 3D printing extruders and technical details of pellet processing.
The patents, including EP3463799B1 and US11541593B2, cover various aspects of additive manufacturing of metal parts and thermo-mechanically deformable materials. They also concern the thermal separation of the housing and the division into actively cooled and heated areas, resulting in a short melting zone and uniform extrusion. This enables high build rates and excellent surface quality, especially when processing ULTEM 9085, an important material in the aerospace sector.
Clemens Lieberwirth, CTO at AIM3D: “The voxelfill process is of course particularly suitable for 3D printing of plastics and fiber-filled plastics, but is also suitable for 3D printing of metal and ceramic components using the CEM process. In general, there are advantages due to the higher build speed and cross-layer filling.”
The ExAM 255 and ExAM 510 printers from AIM3D, which use the patented technology, are designed as multi-material printers and can process polymers, metals and ceramics. The ExAM 510 currently achieves a maximum build rate of 150 cm³/h, with future rates of up to 600 cm³/h targeted. These printers not only offer economic advantages, but also technical innovations such as the Voxelfill strategy, which enables targeted filling of volume chambers to achieve specific material properties. The ExAM 510 system is ideal for industrial production as it guarantees high reproducibility and consistent component quality.
Dr. Vincent Morrison (CEO): “We believe in our CEM technology more than ever. The patents granted impressively reflect our development achievements as pioneers in 3D pellet printing. These patents now secure our know-how for 3D pellet printers. At the same time, we are open to licensing from market competitors.”
With these patents and the innovative CEM technology, AIM3D is consolidating its position in the 3D printing market and offering an economical and technological alternative to conventional FDM printing processes.
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