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Research & Development

At Lithoz, we understand the specific and unique requirements of a laboratory. It is precisely for this reason that we developed an affordable entry-level model that focuses on the most essential aspect: the full potential of LCM technology in its most compact form.

Our Recommendation

CeraFab Lab L30

LithaLox

Alumina

LithaCon

Zirconia

LithaLox

Alumina

LithaCon

Zirconia

Compact budget, full function. Designed specifically for laboratory use, the CeraFab Lab L30 is the most cost-effective way to unlock the power of LCM technology for prototyping and small-series production.

The components from our CeraFab printer are, of course, of the highest quality. But what really sets Lithoz apart is the vibrant partnership that truly benefits everyone.

ASS. PROF. Geoff Brennecka, Colorado School of Mines

Applications

LithaGlass powered by Glassomer

After intensive cooperation with glass manufacturer Glassomer, Lithoz has launched the new LithaGlass material.

As a slurry with a base of quartz glass, the fact that it can be 3D-printed makes LithaGlass a ground-breaking new achievement, combining the design freedom of 3D printing with the desirable properties of high-performance fused silica glass. The new LithaGlass material is perfectly suited for extreme and demanding applications requiring such desirable material properties as high thermal, chemical, mechanical stability resistance as well as lowest thermal expansion and resulting high thermal shock resistance.

More about LithaGlass

Complex parts made using regolith (moon dust)

The key to sustainably living on the moon is being able to manufacture the necessary structures and spares in situ and on-demand. This avoids the cost, volume, and up-mass constraints that would prohibit a successful launch with everything needed for long-duration missions on the moon.

In terms of meeting the demand for parts with highly complex geometries and high accuracy, ceramic stereolithography is a revolutionary manufacturing technology. Considering the high resolution and the relative density of specimens, the feasibility of fabricating highly accurate, small and intricate porous regolith parts such as catalysts, filters etc. will allow for a significant breakthrough in enabling long-duration human space exploration.

Ceramic mechatronic integrated devices

Mechatronic integrated devices (3D-MID) are components integrating structural and electronic functionalities. The metallic structures such as conducting paths are usually applied via laser-induced direct metallization (LDM), a selective 3D-capable metal plating process developed and industrialized for special polymers blends.

In the framework of several AiF projects the IFKB and the IFM of the University of Stuttgart and Hahn-Schickard Stuttgart developed doped alumina substrates suitable for LDM and the manufacturing of ceramic 3D-MID. The unique properties of alumina dramatically widen the application range compared to standard polymer 3D-MID and open up completely new fields of application.

The doped alumina materials can also be processed via LCM as demonstrated with the LED equipped part shown here. Additive manufacturing offers huge potential for the manufacturing of complex shaped or customized ceramic 3D-MID.

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.

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.

3D-printed ceramic cores for superalloy aircraft turbine blades

Increasingly more stringent requirements for environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient aircraft engines call for more innovative turbines, which naturally require greatly improved cooling. With Lithoz's LCM technology, such functional and efficient components can finally be produced.

In addition to drastically reducing development time and thus speeding up time-to-market, it is possible to enable ever shorter development cycles, as the 3D printing of complex designed ceramic cores eliminates the need for expensive molds and lengthy changeovers. This efficiency makes LCM the perfect choice when it comes to producing innovative cast cores for the aerospace industry.

Highest strength 3D-printed alumina

Researchers at the Montanuniversität Leoben, working directly with Lithoz engineers, were able to achieve the highest strength of 1GPa in 3Dprinted alumina for the very first time.

Because the parts were 3D printed with different materials (using the multi-material approach), researchers were able to digitally control material placement to such a degree that these materials became even denser during sintering than alumina alone does (monolithic alumina, 650Mpa). They were able to leverage the layer-by-layer printing process to control residual stresses and effectively create a sort of "Gorilla alumina."

Read the full paper here.

Combining pure copper and ceramics

The combination of metal-ceramic structures - in this case, PURE copper and alumina-based glass ceramics - enables new possibilities for 3D-printed circuit boards, electronic and telecommunication components, three-dimensional realization of conductive pathways and piezoelectric stacks or medical instruments.

Utilizing the CeraFab Multi in such applications opens the door to manufacturing even more complex structures with great potential for serial production, while simultaneously minimizing fabrication costs and shortening the entire process.

The key technology
for your research project
Drucker CeraFab Lab L30
Recommended printer

CeraFab Lab L30

This affordable entry-level ceramic 3D printing model perfectly applies the proven qualities of Lithoz's LCM technology for use in materials research, prototyping or low-volume production.

Recommended Material

LithaLox

Alumina

Our flexible all-rounder is the clear top choice for laboratories. It combines all the outstanding properties of ceramics and uncomplicated handling to create a perfectly balanced material.

Recommended Material

LithaCon

Zirconia

In projects where extreme load capacity, biocompatibility or even the aesthetics of the components are the focus, users can take advantage of the special mechanical properties of Lithoz's premium zirconia.

Interested in Lithoz's LCM technology for your research project?
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

Hydroxy apatite

Contact our Experts
Our experts will be happy to advise you on all questions relating to LCM technology for research projects.