Lithoz GmbH, global market and innovation leaders in ceramic 3D printers, have recently installed the new Lithoz 3D printers at their new home Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada. Both machines represent the leading edge of ceramic material development, each in its own way opening completely new dimensions in processing high-performance ceramics. They will also be the first of their kind on the North American continent, offering Dalhousie unique innovation advantages via the combination of these two printer’s specific strengths.
The CeraMax Vario V900, launched in 2022, features the innovative Laser-Induced Slipcasting (LIS) technology. LIS has been specifically designed to engineer large, thick-walled and fully dense parts and enables the processing of dark ceramics such as silicon carbide – the material properties of which are highly desirable across many demanding applications under extreme conditions. Dalhousie will use Lithoz LIS technology to greatly boost their research and development projects “on the dark side of ceramics”, namely silicon nitride, titanium carbide and silicon carbide, as well as achieve further progress in industrial applications.
With carbide materials being typically very challenging to work with due to a difficult processing via 3D printing and limited resolutions or defect-prone results using other processing technologies, LIS has been confirmed by Dalhousie to be the first 3D printing technology to achieve the necessary high resolutions and enable easier processing. Thanks to a simplified and speedy printing process, eliminating any need for debinding due to the use of standard industrial slurries, the parts can move straight from printing to sintering to allow for rapid and accurate ceramic part production. As the one technology currently able to produce sintered silicon carbide parts, LIS technology is a true game-changer for manufacturers looking to work with dark ceramics.
Alongside the CeraMax Vario V900, Dalhousie have purchased a Lithoz CeraFab Multi 2M30 to bring multi-material 3D printing into their portfolio. Thanks to the machine’s capability to combine ceramic and metal materials in a single layer and component, Dalhousie will look at incorporating electrical circuitry into ceramic components. The advancement of piezoceramics in this way will support the work of the HI-AM program, which works across Canada to overcome the obstacles facing the industrial adoption of metal additive manufacturing.
After receiving support through an award from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Infrastructure Fund, Dalhousie’s $9 million funding proves the level of promise Lithoz technology shows for research and industry. Kevin Plucknett, Professor and I.W. Killam Memorial Research Chair at Dalhousie University is very excited to see the opportunities such an investment will bring to the region: ‘With the installation of two new Lithoz printers at our facilities, we are seeing the beginnings of a real 3D printing hotbed at Dalhousie. By offering such state-of-the-art technology, researchers from across North America now have the chance to get in contact and work with Dalhousie using the technology that can really achieve their goals, while the active support and trainings provided by Lithoz as a partner will help us make the most of this process. We look forward to seeing how our 3D printing facilities can drive innovation throughout North America!’
About Dalhousie University
A WORLD OF IMPACT BEGINS AT DALHOUSIE. Our ground-breaking research, has earned Dalhousie a reputation as a national and regional powerhouse and a global player. Thought leaders come here to make impactful discoveries that contribute to a better future for us all. At the core of Dalhousie’s research and innovation are world-leading researchers working in labs, in the field and with partners around the world. Building on our legacy of ground-breaking research and outstanding scholarship, we are focused on providing an inclusive and collaborative environment that empowers our researchers to achieve excellence.
Dalhousie University Contact: Andrew Riley 902.456.7904 / andrew.riley@dal.ca
About the Canada Foundation for Innovation
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is a non-profit corporation that invests in research infrastructure at Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions. Since its creation in 1997, the CFI has supported researchers with the cutting-edge facilities, laboratories and equipment they need to push the frontiers of knowledge in all disciplines, to discover and to innovate. This has allowed Canada’s bright minds to contribute to creating a better world, with evidence-based policy-making, better health outcomes, a cleaner, greener environment, more vibrant cultures and more competitive Canadian businesses.
