Axle Box Innovations Uses Essentium AM Platform for 3D Printed Fire-Fighting Drones to Help First Responders Get to the Heart of WildfiresJune 9, 2022June 13, 2022 | The Essentium TeamShare – Essentium HSE 3D Printer and rugged material options deliver exceptional thermal and mechanical properties– Lightweight drones withstand extreme heat and rugged environments to capture real-time imagery for wildfire managementEssentium, Inc., a leading innovator of industrial additive manufacturing (AM) solutions, today announced Axle Box Innovations, a public safety technology developer, is using Essentium AM technology to support the development of US-made 3D printed drones for fire management and protection.Engineers at Axle Box are leveraging the Essentium High Speed Extrusion (HSETM) 3D Printing Platform and high-performance inherently heat resistant materials to speed the development of lightweight and robust drone bodies. The drones can survive the extreme heat profile of wildfires to support the efforts of emergency response teams.Most commercial off-the-shelf drones cannot be deployed into wildfires, and the development of bespoke fire-safe drones is complex, time-consuming, and costly. Axle Box is using the latest 3D printing technology to solve strength, speed, and cost obstacles.Axle Box is producing the drone’s mid-body using Essentium’s HTN-CF25, high-temperature nylon with a 25% carbon fiber reinforced core. Compared to PA 603-CF, it has the highest heat deflection temperatures but also tensile and flexural strength. Axle Box is also using Essentium PA-CF to produce side covers designed to fail before the mid-body without sacrificing thermal stability. The drone platform exceeded expectations for high-speed impact and overall functionality during demo flight tests.The flexibility of the Essentium HSE 3D Printer allows Axle Box engineers to design with complete freedom and speed the development process. New parts are designed in a CAD program, printed, and deployed within hours.Said Blake Teipel, Ph.D., CEO of Essentium: “As first responders gear up for fire season, firefighters need nimble remote-controlled drones to achieve visual oversight of wildfires in virtually every type of environment – from urban areas to rural deserts. We are excited Axle Box Innovations has chosen our 3D printing platform to enable the development of structurally rugged drones that can withstand these extremely harsh conditions.”Said Madison Jones, director of additive manufacturing, Axle-Box: “The speed, scale, and economics of the HSE 3D Printer combined with Essentium’s array of advanced 3D printing filaments are changing the game for the design and development of drone platforms. The HSE has transformed our manufacturing floor, and we typically go from design to production in under four weeks. If we need a new part, we can have one printed and up in the air in a couple of hours. Our first responder customers will benefit greatly from this innovation agility.”About Essentium Essentium, Inc. provides industrial 3D printing solutions that are disrupting traditional manufacturing processes by bringing product strength and production speed together, at scale, with a no-compromise engineering material set. Essentium manufactures and delivers innovative industrial 3D printers and materials, enabling the world’s top manufacturers to bridge the gap between 3D printing and machining and embrace the future of additive manufacturing. Essentium, Inc. is AS9100 certified and ITAR registered. Media Contacts:Debbie.Dingle@Essentium.com Share
– Essentium HSE 3D Printer and rugged material options deliver exceptional thermal and mechanical properties– Lightweight drones withstand extreme heat and rugged environments to capture real-time imagery for wildfire managementEssentium, Inc., a leading innovator of industrial additive manufacturing (AM) solutions, today announced Axle Box Innovations, a public safety technology developer, is using Essentium AM technology to support the development of US-made 3D printed drones for fire management and protection.Engineers at Axle Box are leveraging the Essentium High Speed Extrusion (HSETM) 3D Printing Platform and high-performance inherently heat resistant materials to speed the development of lightweight and robust drone bodies. The drones can survive the extreme heat profile of wildfires to support the efforts of emergency response teams.Most commercial off-the-shelf drones cannot be deployed into wildfires, and the development of bespoke fire-safe drones is complex, time-consuming, and costly. Axle Box is using the latest 3D printing technology to solve strength, speed, and cost obstacles.Axle Box is producing the drone’s mid-body using Essentium’s HTN-CF25, high-temperature nylon with a 25% carbon fiber reinforced core. Compared to PA 603-CF, it has the highest heat deflection temperatures but also tensile and flexural strength. Axle Box is also using Essentium PA-CF to produce side covers designed to fail before the mid-body without sacrificing thermal stability. The drone platform exceeded expectations for high-speed impact and overall functionality during demo flight tests.The flexibility of the Essentium HSE 3D Printer allows Axle Box engineers to design with complete freedom and speed the development process. New parts are designed in a CAD program, printed, and deployed within hours.Said Blake Teipel, Ph.D., CEO of Essentium: “As first responders gear up for fire season, firefighters need nimble remote-controlled drones to achieve visual oversight of wildfires in virtually every type of environment – from urban areas to rural deserts. We are excited Axle Box Innovations has chosen our 3D printing platform to enable the development of structurally rugged drones that can withstand these extremely harsh conditions.”Said Madison Jones, director of additive manufacturing, Axle-Box: “The speed, scale, and economics of the HSE 3D Printer combined with Essentium’s array of advanced 3D printing filaments are changing the game for the design and development of drone platforms. The HSE has transformed our manufacturing floor, and we typically go from design to production in under four weeks. If we need a new part, we can have one printed and up in the air in a couple of hours. Our first responder customers will benefit greatly from this innovation agility.”About Essentium Essentium, Inc. provides industrial 3D printing solutions that are disrupting traditional manufacturing processes by bringing product strength and production speed together, at scale, with a no-compromise engineering material set. Essentium manufactures and delivers innovative industrial 3D printers and materials, enabling the world’s top manufacturers to bridge the gap between 3D printing and machining and embrace the future of additive manufacturing. Essentium, Inc. is AS9100 certified and ITAR registered. Media Contacts:Debbie.Dingle@Essentium.com
Lewis Simms January 12, 2024Nexa3D Completes Acquisition of Essentium Adding High-Speed Extrusion to Its Powerful Additive Manufacturing PortfolioAcquisition broadens capabilities, adds super polymer expertise, and democratizes access to industrial, health and government customersVENTURA, CA, January 12th, 2024 – Nexa3D, the ultrafast 3D printing leader, announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Essentium, a distinguished manufacturer of high-speed extrusion (HSE) 3D printers and materials. Nexa3D has rapidly emerged as an industry leader in industrial 3D printing, offering revolutionary production solutions to businesses across various sectors. Renowned for its ultrafast 3D printers, which span from desktop to factory floor sizes, Nexa3D’s cutting-edge technology has redefined the possibilities of 3D printing production, enabling unparalleled productivity, accuracy, and material versatility. With over 1500 systems worldwide, Nexa3D’s printers have become the preferred solution for high-throughput production applications. Read More
The Essentium Team November 6, 2023Nexa3D Announces Intent to Acquire Essentium; Adds High Speed Extrusion to its Product PortfolioAcquisition would broaden capabilities, expand addressable markets, and diversify revenues for the fast-growing 3D printing company. Nexa3D, the ultrafast 3D printing leader, has taken a significant step in staking its leadership position in the industrial additive manufacturing space by signing a letter of intent to acquire Essentium, a prominent manufacturer of HSE 3D printers and materials, widely adopted for high requirement, precision applications in aerospace, military, and defense. With this acquisition, Nexa3D would add high-speed extrusion (HSE) to its current product portfolio. Read More
The Essentium Team October 17, 2023Essentium and KVG Rapid 3D Printing Collaboration Strengthens Ukraine’s Defense Response Essentium®, Inc., a leading innovator of industrial additive manufacturing (AM) solutions, has joined forces with KVG®, an internationally recognized mission support provider, to provide Ukraine with 3D printing solutions, training, and manufacturing tools. These 3D printing capabilities enable rapid, on-demand production of mission-critical parts and components in the field of conflict. Read More
