Stratasys Software Can Convert Powder to Parts

Stratasys announces the launch of SAF ReLife, a software-based solution that can convert waste PA12 powder from other additive manufacturing (AM) technologies into quality parts, the company says.

The SAF ReLife solution can repurpose waste PA12 powder from powder bed fusion printers, including high-speed sintering, selective laser sintering and jetting build processes, for use within the Stratasys H350 printer. This sustainable solution enables production of surface finished parts with powder that had been considered waste, according to Stratasys.

“SAF ReLife gives customers a unique ability to make high-quality parts with powder considered waste from other polymer powder bed fusion processes,” says Neil Hopkinson, vice president, Additive Manufacturing Technology, Stratasys. “Our patented unidirectional print-and-fuse architecture and thermal control uniquely enable this capability at production volumes.”

SAF ReLife is designed to help make additive manufacturing more sustainable and eco-friendly by addressing what to do with aged powder, Stratasys says. To measure environmental impact, Stratasys partnered with Fraunhofer IPA to conduct a third-party life cycle assessment (LCA) to validate the environmental benefits of SAF ReLife. The study revealed that repurposing PA12 waste from powder bed print processes in SAF production can reduce carbon footprint up to 89%, compared to standard production with polyamide 12 material, Stratasys reports.

“Our life cycle assessment demonstrates that Stratasys' SAF ReLife PA12 solution can reduce the carbon footprint of the reference print job by 43% with the German electricity mix and by as much as 89% when powered by renewable energy sources, compared to standard PA12,” says Chantal Rietdorf, M.Sc., research associate at Fraunhofer.

For more information, visit the Stratasys booth at Formnext 2024 in Hall 12.1 | booth D12.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.

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