NanoVoxel relies on a 15-t MicroPower injection molding machine from Wittmann Battenfeld to leverage high-precision molds, noted Ganz. The 150-kN clamping force enables the cost-effective production of small and micro-sized parts with maximum precision and accuracy, and a two-stage screw-piston injection unit with thermally homogenous shot volumes from 1.2 to 6.0 cubic centimeters makes it possible to produce precisely molded parts in exceptionally short cycle times, added Ganz.

Absolute Haitian held an open house and luncheon September 28 for customers and industry members at its 116,000-square-foot applications center in Moncks Corner, SC, which opened in 2019. The event gave industry professionals the opportunity to view new technology, product introductions and more than 100 electric and servo-hydraulic stock machines and large-tonnage subassemblies ready for quick delivery.

The dynamic duo of 2PP printing and micromolding is not limited to the rapid tooling process. NanoVoxel can print directly on parts in materials other than plastics, including glass, ceramics, carbon substrates, and metals, manufactured via other processes. The company can also combine different materials and offers customization suited for rapid prototyping, product development, and mass production. “This enables customers to imprint detailed functional features directly onto bulky and larger parts obtained from more efficient processes. Initial applications have been successfully applied in the microfluidics world, where NanoVoxel printed unmoldable features onto commercial chips, using its advanced printing process only where needed,” said Ganz.

Attendees heard from industry experts in a series of quick-hitting “Tech Talks” geared towards providing high-value takeaways. Presenters included:

Parts can be printed within hours from a CAD file with tolerances under 1 micrometer (µm), structures down to 200 nanometers (nm), and surface finishes with average roughness better than 10 nm. While the process enables the production of geometries that would be impossible via injection molding, it is not suited for volume production. It would be cost-prohibitive to make parts larger than a few millimeters. NanoVoxel broke this logjam by combining 2PP printing with micromolding, which is its core business model.

Haitian Die Casting was established in 2016 and has quickly become of the largest suppliers of die-casting machines in the world. Haitian Die Casting offers standard machines sizes from 180 to 4,500 tons and is one of the few suppliers in the world with the manufacturing capability for die casting machines up to 9,000 tons.  On display was an HDC550 with tonnage of 618 tons/560 tonnes.

Open house at 116,000-square-foot applications center in Moncks Corner, SC, featured more than 100 electric and servo-hydraulic plastic injection molding systems.

On display were three operating injection molding machine cells and a static display of the electric Zeres III molding machine equipped with Haitian’s Medical Package introduced at K 2022. Injection molding machine cells in operation included:

Based in Worcester, MA, Absolute Haitian is the exclusive sales and service partner in the US and Canada for Ningbo Haitian Machinery Co., Ltd. based in Ningbo, China. Ningbo Haitian Machinery Co., Ltd. is the world’s largest supplier of plastics injection molding machinery, shipping an average of 43,000 machines each year. Haitian products are sold in more than 130 countries with machine sizes ranging from 44 to 7,425 tons of clamp force.

Zeres III electric molding machine – ZE 1500 / 210 III (169 U.S. tons) running a 4-cavity, thin-wall cup mold; cycle time of 10 seconds

Mars III servo-hydraulic molding machine – MA 6500 / 6300h (730 U.S. tons) running a two-cavity flowerpot mold; cycle time of 18 seconds

Editor in chief of PlasticsToday since 2015, Norbert Sparrow has more than 30 years of editorial experience in business-to-business media. He studied journalism at the Centre Universitaire d'Etudes du Journalisme in Strasbourg, France, where he earned a master's degree.

Jupiter III servo-hydraulic, two-platen molding machine – JU 5500 / 4630 (618 U.S. tons) running a thick-wall electrical junction box mold

Austrian startup NanoVoxel reports that it can produce high-precision micro-scale parts in just two weeks. The breakthrough is made possible through a combination of novel two-photon 3D-printing technology developed by fellow Austrian startup UpNano and a 15-t MicroPower injection molding machine from Wittmann Battenfeld.

NanoVoxel uses 2PP printers to rapidly produce high-precision molds that replicate the precision and resolution of 2PP in micro parts. Small detailed structures can be accurately and repeatably molded with tolerances in the micrometer range. Moreover, 2PP 3D printing can precisely create mold cavities that enable the production of larger parts with single-digit micron features that otherwise would be too time-consuming, expensive, or even impossible to produce, according to Ganz. One recent application is the development and production of an endoscope for Zürich-based aiEndoscope.

The Haitian Group introduced their Haitian Precision and Haitian Die Casting product lines to US and Canadian markets at the open house. Both business units’ products are now sold in Asia, Europe, Mexico, and South America. Distribution in the US and Canada will be handled by the Absolute Group with full-scale distribution in 2024.

Individual prototype segments of the endoscope initially were printed in various design iterations for testing and optimization. Upon validation from the customer, NanoVoxel quickly molded the parts for functional and mechanical testing. All of the manufacturing process and design iterations for this complex medical device were completed within five weeks, according to the company.

UpNano’s 3D printer is based on the principle of non-linear absorption of photons, explained NanoVoxel Chief Technical Officer Martin Ganz in a technical report distributed by Wittmann Battenfeld. The two-photon polymerization process, branded as 2PP by the company, uses a narrowly focused femtosecond laser beam to excite a photosensitive resin, causing it to polymerize and solidify. Unlike conventional 3D printing, however, 2PP achieves full control of polymerization in the z axis, explained Ganz, producing precise, round holes and cavities. The process “offers unparalleled precision and resolution, enabling the creation of complex 3D micro-structures with sub-micron accuracy, even down to the nanometer range. This makes it ideal for applications requiring particularly intricate details with high surface quality,” said Ganz.

Haitian Precision was established in 2002 and offers a wide range of CNC machinery including vertical and horizontal machining centers, lathes, and dual-column machining centers. A preview of the new Haitian Precision product line at the open house included a TC25 II CNC lathe and a VMC850 II vertical machining center. Four vertical machining centers are currently in stock in South Carolina.

“NanoVoxel´s efficiency with the micro-manufacturing process unlocks new creative avenues for designers and engineers across diverse industries and revolutionizes the way in which to approach design and fabrication of intricate, customized, and functional micro-scale parts,” added Ganz.