TPM3D Brand Review: Industrial 3D Printing with Polyamides

Today, we will tell you about the manufacturer of industrial SLS 3D printers TPM3D. The company produces additive manufacturing equipment for various industries and applications, and its lineup includes models with different print chamber sizes and smart features. Read on to learn more about the company.

Equipment

3D printers manufactured by TPM3D include:

• TPM3D S480 (build volume: 480 x 480 x 600 mm)

• TPM3D S800QL (build volume: 800 x 800 x 600 mm)

• TPM3D S600DL (build volume: 600 x 600 x 800 mm)

• TPM3D S360 (build volume: 360 x 360 x 600 mm)

• TPM3D S150HT (build volume: 150 x 150 x 250 mm)

• TPM3D S320HT (build volume: 320 x 320 x 380 mm)

• TPM3D S260 (build volume: 260 x 260 x 450 mm)

To find out more about TPM3D equipment, printing materials, and use cases, read the corresponding article.

In this post, we will cover the company’s history and achievements, as well as some of the application cases.

Company history

TPM3D’s team has been involved in industrial 3D printing since 1999.

2004

TPM3D manufacturing company was officially established in Zhongshan, Guangdong.

2005

TPM3D Optoelectronics released the first generation of Precimid high-performance 3D printing nylon powder for laser sintering.

2007

TPM3D launched the first nylon SLS 3D printing system in China and became the first company in Asia to make laser sintering its core technology.

2008

TPM3D launched China's first additive system for SLS nylon powder, as well as TPM ELITE P4500 and Precimid1120 nylon powders.

2011

TPM3D released the ELITE P5000 nylon powder laser sintering system, with the world's largest print chamber at the time.

2012

Release and upgrade of the ELITE P 3D printer. Introduction of the second generation of the Precimid series material.

2013

TPM3D entered into a joint venture agreement with Stratasys, a US-based 3D printing industry powerhouse, and established Shuowei 3D Printing Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. in 2014 to develop technology and equipment for SLS and SLM 3D printing using polymer and metal materials.

2017

TPM3D’s laser sintering 3D printing system was the first in China to pass the tests for CE certification by TUV Rheinland.

2018

TPM3D released an independently developed polymer SLS 3D printing system capable of processing nylon and PEEK. Such equipment provides for the manufacturing of personalized medical products such as orthopedic and surgical rehabilitation bandages, preoperative models, surgical guides, and implants. The company launched PRECIMID Pro reusable nylon, which reduced printing costs by 50% and was the first clean production solution in the non-metallic powder industry. TPM3D bought back all of its shares held by Stratasys in late 2018.

2021

3D Printing Digital Medical Center was established in cooperation with Zhongshan Chengxinghai Hospital.

TPM3D projects

TPM3D Asia Display & Training and SLS Advanced Materials Print Center

Located in the High-tech Industrial Development Zone in Jiangsu Province, the TPM3D Asia Display & Training and SLS Advanced Materials Print Center, with an area of ​​more than 1,000 square meters, aims to enhance the research and development of advanced materials and innovation in industrial applications. In addition, the center provides all Asian customers and partners with SLS 3D printing training.

The center consists of an industrial application exhibition area, an Advanced Materials smart printing platform, a research and development laboratory for sterile medical experiments, an SLS post-processing center, and a multimedia conference room. The center is equipped with more than ten SLS 3D printers.

3D Printing Digital Medical Center

The 3D Printing Digital Medical Center was established in collaboration with Zhongshan Chenxinghai Hospital to provide healthcare facilities with highly customized medical devices: surgical guides, rehabilitation equipment, orthopedic insoles, orthopedic pillows, scoliosis braces, knee orthoses, implants for the head, pelvis, spinal and knee joints, dental braces, etc. The Center also provides services, including 3D models’ and product development.

Application cases

Here are some examples of TPM3D equipment applications.

More cases, information on the materials and their properties are available in the following article.

Automotive industry

Product: Automotive oil pipe part

Print material: TPM3D PA6X BLK

Material features: this new material is superior to the traditional hygroscopic PA6, has good mechanical properties, is easy to form and highly resistant to thermal deformation.

Post-processing: chemical polishing.

To be used in automotive fuel and oil systems, parts must be resistant to petroleum products' influence and elevated temperatures, mechanically strong, and not too heavy. The TPM3D PA6X material based on polyamide fulfills these requirements.

Healthcare

Product: Scoliosis treatment orthosis

Print material: Precimid1171Pro

Material features: high mechanical strength and dimensional accuracy, predictable shrinkage rate during cooling and after printing. The material is recyclable.

Post-processing: painting.

Requirements for orthopedic medical products include mechanical strength, hypoallergenicity, and biocompatibility. The Precimid 1171Pro is appropriate for medical 3D printing of orthoses and other orthopedic devices.

Electrical appliances production

Product: Electric hand drill casing

Print material: Precimid1171Pro AF40

Material features: the material contains 40% aluminum powder, which significantly increases the strength of the resulting parts. Precimid1171Pro AF40 is also characterized by powder reusability, wear resistance, and pleasant metallic color after polishing.

Post-processing: none.

A polymer reinforced with metal or fiberglass is the best material for handheld power tool cases, as it has high strength characteristics, is durable and easy to process, and also partially absorbs harmful vibration during tool operation.

Bottom line 

TPM3D has been developing and producing equipment and materials for SLS printing for about 20 years, and its industrial-grade 3D printers are in demand and sought after by many industrial players, which indicates their high quality and ease of integration into production. TPM3D equipment and materials are an excellent alternative to American and Western European products, providing high quality at a more affordable price.