Category: Engineering

ASA - An Advanced Polymer Upgrade For Traditionally ABS Manufactured Parts

20/11/2024

**Sample image is micro surface textured - can also be printed gloss/smooth**

ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) is an advanced polymer, with resistance to UV and weather exposure, making it a great material for automotive and outdoor applications. As ASA slowly replaces ABS parts in the automotive industry (dash panels, trims, housings and more), it was a logical decision for us to make it available to our 3D printing customers. We recommend ASA as a replacement material for existing parts made from ABS, due to its increased mechanical performance and UV resistance, almost making ABS obsolete.

ASA has a heat deflection temperature of 101 Degrees Celsius, which also makes it great for automotive and mechanical parts which are exposed to high temperatures. We can source ASA in almost any colour to fit your application or have your parts 2PAC painted.

We also have RoHS and REACH compliant ASA available for regulated industries where certification is mandated.

Keep an eye out for our upcoming case studies on ASA applications our customers are benefiting from.

3D printed industrial replacement part

2/4/2024

3D printed break-away bar replacement part on laser cutter

Originally made from aluminium, the break-away bar deteriorated from thousands of hours of use. Rather than wait for a genuine part, we were able to 3D print a replacement break-away bar for the laser cutter at Laws Laser.

Print in place assembly

20/2/2024

Fidget component printed in Onyx and PLA

One of the benefits of working with our Markforged range of 3D printers is the ability to print ready assembled componentry.

The components in this photograph have been printed as an example of a print in place assembly.

Traditional manufacturing methods would have dictated that this assembly would have had to be made from multiple parts and assembled by hand. With the benefits of additive manufacturing, we’ve been able to manufacture this assembly printed in place, ready to go.