robotmech Stössl GmbH: Pendulum impact tester for quality improvement of large-format 3D printing and prototype creation
Case Study
- Customer: robotmech Stoessl GmbH
- Location: Koblach, Austria
- Industry: Automotive
- Topic: Testing of 3D prototypes
Pioneer in large-format 3D printing: robotmech Stössl GmbH
robotmech Stössl GmbH is a leader in the field of 3D printing and prototyping with its headquarters located in Koblach, Austria. Over a production area of 10,000 square meters and with 45 systems, the company produces 3D printed components with excellent shrinkage and warping properties. In Europe, robotmech Stössl GmbH is one of the largest providers capable of producing large-format stereolithography models.
From prototypes to complex small series, the company offers comprehensive services and, as an industrial 3D printing provider, ensures the continuous development of its materials and process technologies. For this purpose, it has eight specially developed machines with a build volume of 2x1x1 meters and 37 machines with a build volume of 1x1x1 meters, which are fully filled with resin. The company serves customers from the automotive industry, designers, artists, and rapid prototyping manufacturers and places great emphasis on holistic consulting and customized solutions to meet specific customer requirements.
Expansion of material analysis to ensure production quality
The impact strength is an important property. 3D prototypes are often assembled into components or reworked by grinding, drilling, or milling. If they are made of standard SLA resins, they can break under increased mechanical stress.
Prototypes manufactured using stereolithography tend to become brittle over time, particularly due to temperature changes or excessive exposure to UV light. In the technology, automotive, and design sectors, there is high demand for 3D prototypes with increased impact strength. It is important that the components do not splinter, even at low temperatures. Another application for impact-resistant components is electroplating. This form of metallic surface coating is widely used due to the good adhesion between the metal coating and the plastic core. Stress whitening can be advantageous for impact-modified plastics since it absorbs energy and prevents the material from breaking or allows further stretching. The goal of the project was to maintain the dimensional stability of the prototypes while increasing impact strength and improving elasticity. A ZwickRoell pendulum impact tester was selected to enable in-house Izod impact strength measurements.
The company also uses the Vicat Standard testing instrument to determine heat deflection temperature (HDT) according to ASTM D648 and a 10 kN version of the ProLine Z010 to determine flexural strength and elasticity modulus according to ASTM D790 and tensile strength according to ASTM D638.
