In a noteworthy advancement for desktop 3D printing, German company Xioneer has successfully printed a PEEK part using its VXL support material on a modified Bambu Lab H2D printer. This development showcases the expanding capabilities of consumer-grade printers for high-performance material applications.
Printing PEEK with Bambu Lab H2D
Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is a high-performance thermoplastic known for its exceptional strength, chemical resistance, and high-temperature tolerance. Traditionally, printing PEEK has been limited to industrial-grade printers due to the material’s demanding processing requirements, including high nozzle and bed temperatures, enclosed and heated chambers, and precise thermal management.
Xioneer’s experiment involved modifying a Bambu Lab H2D 3D printer to handle these requirements, primarily by adjusting the extruder and print chamber to accommodate the high temperatures PEEK demands. The successful print demonstrates the feasibility of using modified desktop printers for engineering-grade thermoplastics, potentially lowering the barrier to entry for high-performance 3D printing.
VXL Support Material: A Key Enabler
Central to this achievement is Xioneer’s proprietary VXL support material. Designed for soluble support in high-temperature printing, VXL offers compatibility with demanding filaments like PEEK, PEKK, and Ultem. Traditional support materials often degrade or fail at the high temperatures required for these polymers, but VXL maintains structural integrity during the print and dissolves post-processing in a mild alkaline solution.
The use of VXL allows for complex geometries and overhangs that would otherwise be impossible or require time-consuming mechanical removal. This is particularly important in industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical, where part complexity and precision are critical.
Implications for Desktop 3D Printing
This development could significantly expand the scope of desktop 3D printing. By demonstrating that a modified consumer-level printer can process PEEK with reliable results, Xioneer is helping to democratize access to high-performance additive manufacturing. While industrial printers remain the gold standard for production-grade parts, this advancement opens the door for prototyping, research, and small-scale production in environments where budget or space constraints prevent the use of large industrial systems.
Moreover, the success of VXL as a dissolvable support material for PEEK suggests broader applications across multiple high-performance polymers. It provides designers and engineers the freedom to create more complex parts without the limitations imposed by traditional support strategies.
Expanding Material Capabilities in Additive Manufacturing
The ability to print PEEK on a desktop-level printer also reflects the broader trend of material innovation in the additive manufacturing industry. As more functional materials become printable at lower costs and with more accessible hardware, industries can integrate 3D printing deeper into their workflows. From jigs and fixtures to end-use parts, high-performance polymers like PEEK are increasingly vital in bridging the gap between prototyping and production.
Xioneer’s work may inspire further experimentation with other desktop printer brands and configurations. With proper modifications and the right support materials, the line between professional and consumer-grade 3D printing continues to blur.
Source: 3DPrint.com
