Blue polymeric powder for 3D printing for food and safety application

A French SME has developed a new powder for SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) 3D printing, which is certified for food contact. The technical team in this project has a total 31 years of experience in SLS. Additive manufacturing today is a reliable production technology for small series, it simplifies assemblies and the production chain when comparing traditional production methods, like injection moulding. Choosing polyamide 11 (PA11), a bio-sourced polymer, allows for a step in the good direction of sustainable plastics. The development of a safety blue material when printed and post-processed opens a range of applications where optic detection is a must. The polymeric parts are mass colour, an innovative step in 3D printing where colour was obtained by dyeing, dyed parts in the safety sector are not ideal, as a broken inner piece is still white. SLS parts offer infinite possibilities for producing complex shapes; this technology doesn't need printing support. The blue powder can be used for example to manufacture tools, grippers or scrapers frequently used in food production lines. Thanks to the blue colour of the pieces, optical sensors can detect for example if a piece of a tool has fallen into the food material, and thus prevent safety risks.