Parisse was searching for a printer with an open material system that could help them to produce high-quality, 3D printed parts. After he searched independently, CADvision’s final recommendation was that the INTAMSYS’ FUNMAT PRO 610HT 3D printer would best suit Société Parisse’s needs. This FFF machine is known for being open-system and its ability to print with high-performance materials and Parisse claims it was the answer to at least 99% of the company’s concerns when adopting 3D printing. This is thanks to a number of features that were especially important for their work. Notably, he pointed towards the chamber which is capable of reaching up to 300˚C, ideal for printing with high-performance “super” polymers like PEEK and PEKK as well as extruders which can reach up to 500°C with an all-metal hot end. Moreover, he mentions the large build space of 610x508x508mm (24x20x20in) which allows for either the printing of very large parts or multiple small parts for low volume production.
Indeed, high-performance polymers were the key to Société Parisse’s adoption of 3D printing. These so-called “super polymers’ include materials like PEEK (polyether ether ketone) and Ultem and are known for their ability to replace even metal thanks to their high strength and rigidity and high heat resistance. Beyond this they are also chemical, corrosion and heat resistant, making them useful in even the most extreme environments. This while all still being much lighter, an ideal especially for Société Parisse. Although the company had actually already used high performance plastics, INTAMSYS allowed them to use them with additive manufacturing in order to take advantage of AM’s many benefits.
Of course, one of the ways that Société Parisse has adopted industrial 3D printing has been through prototyping which is often costly and ineffective with CNC Machining. But additive manufacturing is also being used for end-use parts including the production of spare parts but also for direct use in the aeronautic, railway and pharmaceutical industries. One example of a part was a frame made by the company that could be used like a remote to test a wagon that would be part of a train. Although normally to make this part, it is necessary to create 17 separate parts, all of which are u-shaped, thanks to additive manufacturing it was possible to print it entirely in one part.
