Chromatic 3D Materials Inc. is organized around developing technology for 3D printing materials having the durability to meet the requirements for finished manufactured goods. The firm's technology can print with thermosets, a broad class of materials including polyurethanes, silicones and epoxies. The adaptability, durability and resilience of these materials are unmatched by the thermoplastics used in conventional 3D printing processes. In traditional extrusion printing, plastic is melted then cooled to form the part. When plastics are selected to meet application needs for part complexity, flexibility or high durability, the following challenges are present: Flexible, meltable materials are not durable and can tear or creep. Flexible filaments can stretch and stick to themselves, posing feed problems in the printer. Cooled layers cannot adhere well to layers above, leading to poor print-direction strength. Each material type requires different processing temperatures, limiting multi-material printing options. Printing with Chromatic 3D Materials thermosets addresses these issues because liquids react to form the part. The reaction of the liquids can produce variable qualities in final product that are not achievable today. 3D Chromatic Materials enables: Unmeltable parts, Flexible, durable parts, Parts with varied properties, Parts with high print-direction strength, Foamed parts, Parts with thermally-sensitive components, such as electronics. Example applications of the firm's technology include fashion shoe soles, implants, custom car parts, orthotics, prostheses,cell scaffolds, sporting goods, and architectural elements. Result: Durable and functional manufactured parts = beyond prototype
