New 3D printing with pellet materials
Pellet Additive Manufacturing (Pellet AM) or Fused Granulate Fabrication is emerging as a key technology in 3D printing using raw thermoplastic pellets. Learn about its variations, applications, advantages and challenges.
Join Howest/Industrial Product Design (IPO) and partners to explore why Pellet AM could be a game-changer—and whether it is right for you.
Practical information
Date: 02/04/2025
Location & organization:
Howest Campus Kortrijk Weide - The Penta
Parking: Follow directions to parking P3 & P4
Entrance fee: €159 (excluding VAT) per person, for both visitors and exhibitors (invoiced after the event). Howest students can attend at no cost.
Cancellation policy: Cancellations can be made at least one week before the event.
Language: English spoken
Target audience:
- Companies involved in plastics/ceramics/metal injection molding prototyping, design, and manufacturing
- Academic researchers in Additive Manufacturing (AM)
- Service providers in Additive Manufacturing (AM)
Program overview
| 08.45 | Welcome with coffee |
|---|---|
| 09.30 | Introduction A welcome word from host Industrial Product Design educational program at Howest |
| 09.40 | Pellet AM state of the art, Howest research An overview of current Pellet AM technologies and machines according to output sizes, applications, materials,... What are the possibilities, applications and challenges? What have we learned from an ongoing research focusing on industrial cases with a Pollen AM 3D printer? |
| 10.15 | Compression properties of TPU lattice structures Arburg Plastic Freeforming is well equipped to process Thermoplastic Elastomers like TPU. By printing lattice structures from TPU, tailored cushioning properties could be manufactured for a broad range of applications, such as grippers, machine parts and prosthetics. But what range of compressive properties can be obtained? |
| 10.40 | Break & networking exhibitors |
| 11.10 | Real World Applications: How our customers are leveraging the speed and economy of pellet extrusion AM 3D Systems’ EXT Titan Pellet 3D printers are relied upon by leading manufacturers around the world in a breadth of industries. In this presentation, we will explore numerous real-world applications of pellet extrusion additive manufacturing and the advantages when compared to traditional production methods. |
| 11.35 | Optimizing Printing and Mechanical Properties Through Rheology How rheology can be leveraged to enhance printability and mechanical performance in pellet-based AM. Discussing key rheological parameters, their impact on extrusion-based printing, and how they can be optimized to improve final part quality. We provide valuable insights applicable across multiple AM materials and processing conditions. |
| 12.00 | Guided tour of Industrial Design Center infrastructure |
| 12.45 | Walking lunch & networking exhibitors |
| 13.30 | Pellet printing capabilities at Centexbel An overview of Centexbel's current pellet printing infrastructure. Going over some results from previous projects and providing an outlook for upcoming projects involving additive manufacturing. Furthermore, we will look at the challenges we faced in the past and how the market is evolving to address these. |
| 13.55 | Implementation of recycled polymers in pellet printing: a material and hardware challenge The change in material properties after recycling gives additional challenges when 3D printing with both fiber reinforced and unfilled materials. We provide insight in a possible material and hardware solution. |
| 14.20 | Break & networking exhibitors |
| 14.50 | Pellet AM technology optimized by specialised software AIM3D has been in the field of 3D printing with granulate materials for over 8 years. Showing the current technology, what opportunities have been met in industrial applications. Furthermore, through the development of the Voxelfill software, typical limitations of layer built objects for prototyping or final parts, can be overcome. We will show an in depth view on how Voxelfill works, what challenges have been met and how it can help optimize your projects, also in the known filament 3D printing applications. |
| 15.15 | Large-scale application of robotic arm 3D printing: key design principles Robotic arm 3D printing is widely used for large-scale applications such as tooling, interior design and construction. To fully leverage this technology, it’s essential to consider some key design guidelines. |
| 15.40 | Post processing methods of pellet 3D printed objects Based on cases we demonstrate the possibility of post processing with low labour costs. |
| 16.05 | Injection molding and Pellet AM technology, use of certified engineering polymers, metallic alloys and ceramics Feronyl is specialized into developing and manufacturing advanced mechanical systems out of multi-materials. Through Pellet AM technology, we fasten the development cycle between prototyping and challenging serial ramp-ups in injection molding. Different use cases by Pellet AM technology. |
| 16.30 | Reception & networking exhibitors |
Contact information
For more info, please contact:
Bart Grimonprez
Expert Prototyping & Additive Manufacturing
bart.grimonprez [at] howest.be (bart[dot]grimonprez[at]howest[dot]be)
+32 56 24 12 11
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