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From semiconductors to machinery, the CeraFab 3D printers and premium materials enable the profit-driven industrial volume production of ceramic 3D-printed parts, for even the most demanding industrial applications.

Our Recommendation

CeraFab S65

LithaLox

Alumina

LithaCon

Zirconia

LithaLox

Alumina

LithaCon

Zirconia

Traditional processes, such as die casting or milling, reach their limits when it comes to complex structures or extreme applications. It is in these situations that LCM 3D printing opens up entirely new technological solutions.

"At Bosch Advanced Ceramics, we have already successfully scaled up to the additive series production of ceramic components and are continuously expanding our machine park. Thanks to its reliable precision, the LCM process from Lithoz was the decisive technological basis for implementing various series projects."

Nikolai Sauer / Head of Additive Manufacturing / Bosch Advanced Ceramics 

Applications

Silicon nitride rotor for high-efficiency microturbines

Silicon nitride turbocharger rotors are used to enhance the response of an engine. Using ceramic rotors instead of metal reduces their inertia and thus reduces deceleration. In addition, these rotors are exposed to very hot gas and so must be durable even under these extreme conditions. Until now, complicated components made of silicon nitride could not be manufactured due to the limitations of conventional machining processes. Thanks to their powerful LCM technology, Lithoz CeraFab 3D printers enable the production of complex-shaped rotors to improve the performance of microturbines.

Watch a video on thermal shock resistance testing for a 3D-printed silicon nitride component.

Microreactor for high-temperature applications

Microreactor for high-temperature applications

Thanks to its many years of experience, Bosch Advanced Ceramics is one of the world's top names in the series additive manufacturing of technical ceramics. Together with BASF and KIT, the company developed a microreactor made of aluminum oxide whose internal flow channels had a diameter of just 0.5 mm. The filigree webs of this application, which can be used in basic chemical research for example, measured 0.3 mm.

Das erzielte Ergebnis deckt die speziellen Anforderungen des geplanten Einsatzes bestens ab: die hervorragende Wärmeleitfähigkeit garantiert stabile Temperaturkontrolle und die geringe thermische Ausdehnung stellt sicher, dass es auch bei großen Temperaturschwankungen zu geringen Verzügen im Reaktor kommt. Die niedrige elektrische Leitfähigkeit und die Transluzenz des keramischen Bauteils ermöglichen darüber hinaus auch Messverfahren, die beim Einsatz von Metall nicht realisierbar sind. Bosch Advanced Ceramics 

Production of 12,000 ceramic high-performance tubes / year

Steinbach AG is considered a pioneer in the field of series additive manufacturing of technical ceramics. The novel geometry of the final high-performance tube with kinks and inner contours, a minimal wall thickness of 200 µm, and a smooth surface with roughness values of Rasubscript=0.4 determined the innovative nature of this new solution. The required strict tolerance of the outer geometries of +20 µm, with a reproducibility of 12,000 pieces per year, were not economically feasible with conventional manufacturing technologies.

With the scalable LCM technology, however, series production level quality was achieved from the very first piece. Read all details about this successful application here.

Nozzles for industrial chip manufacturing

Alumina Systems GmbH produces customized ceramic and metal-on-ceramic components for the semiconductor and medical industries. In addition to using conventional technologies, the company also uses LCM to accelerate product innovation. Through a function-oriented design, Alumina Systems GmbH has developed a ceramic distribution ring for semiconductor chip deposition that triples chip production volume compared to conventional solutions.

Demand for value-based applications is steadily increasing. Learn more about how 3D printing is enabling companies to develop revenue-generating, value-added products for their customers. Read more.

Highly complex miniature components with features as low as 100 µm in series production

The LCM 3D printing process for ceramics enables the production of applications with the finest of details and highly complex internal structures while maintaining excellent surface quality. Some examples are micronozzles and valves with flow-optimized paths, miniature rotors and micro milling tools, electronic applications such as complex and precise substrates and medical sensors, instruments and surgical tools.

The industrial series production of complex ceramic components with microstructures requires a technology that meets every demand for high repeatability. Where conventional methods such as milling, drilling, grinding and ceramic injection molding clearly reach their limits, CeraFab printers offer scalable series production of parts with features as low as 100 µm.

Your vision -
our all-in-one solution

Drucker Frontal CeraFab S65
Recommended printer

CeraFab System S65

The top LCM printer when it comes to the highest of precision and performance in series production. The world’s number one for the large-volume additive manufacturing of high-performance ceramics in industry.

Recommended Material

LithaLox

Alumina

The flexible all-rounder with tried-and-tested features. Outstanding properties such as high hardness, insulating capacity, corrosion and temperature resistance and uncomplicated handling combine to guarantee success for intensive use in industrial series production.

Recommended Material

LithaCon

Zirconia

Particularly suitable for applications that place extreme demands on the material. Valves, bearings, cutting tools and components for high-performance forming technologies are just some of the applications that benefit from the toughness of zirconia.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SUCCESSFUL SERIES PRODUCTION WITH LITHOZ LCM PRINTERS?
Contact us today!

Something different in mind? Discover our other 3D printers!

CeraFab Multi 2M30​
Our Materials at a Glance

Silicon nitride

Silica-based

Tricalcium phosphate

Hydroxylapatite

Contact our Experts
Our experts will be happy to advise you on all questions relating to your industrial application.