Is 3D printing about to become all the more powerful thanks to this new printable filament made with one of the most remarkable materials available today?
If there’s one technology that has ushered in a new era of production and manufacturing, it’s 3D printing. Once seen as little more than a novelty capability, hindered by production speed and limited materials, the technology has evolved to become a ground shaking force in many sectors and markets.
Not only has 3D printing gotten faster and more sophisticated, but the materials from which 3D printed objects can be made has expanded considerably over the last few years. Perhaps one of the most exciting developments in the last decade, graphene has just become one the materials that are 3D printable.
Graphene And 3D Printing Finally Together
Developed by Calverton NY’s Graphene 3D Lab Inc., a new PLA based graphene filament will make it possible to incorporate many of graphene’s conductive properties into 3D printed object. Graphene itself exhibits a number of remarkable and exceptionally useful attributes, which include excellent strength for its weight and superior conductivity.
Expanding The Practical Applications Of An Extraordinary Material
In its pure form, however, graphene is so thin, it’s virtually two dimensional. It’s actually only about one atom thick. This factor has limited the practical applications in which graphene can be used. Graphene 3D Lab’s new brand of conductive graphene filament, released commercially as BlackMagic3D may change all that.
Pay Attention Manufacturers
3D printed sensors and circuits may get the biggest boosts from this development, but apart from conductivity, graphene filament may greatly enhance the production of components and products that require electromagnetic and RF shielding. As a result, telecommunications, medical manufacturing, aerospace, and automotive manufactures should all be paying attention, as should industries that produce or require high strength, mechanically functioning parts.
Trying It Out
Currently, a 200 gram spool of BlackMagic3D can be purchased for $65 and works with FFF/FDM 3D printers. While the filament will probably be the first the many variations to follow, BlackMagic3D could get you started on prototypes and small components and at least see how this material compares to ABS and PLA 3D printed objects.
Do you think you’ll be trying BlackMagic3D or following what Graphene 3D Lab Inc. puts out next?
Article Sources:
http://www.graphene3dlab.com
http://3dprint.com
