Arkema's Polyamide 12 S: the key to making industrial 3D printing profitable

The Arkema Polyamide 12 S (PA12 S) has become one of the most demanded materials in industrial 3D printing thanks to its combination of strength, precision and adaptability, The company has become a strategic ally for companies seeking innovation, efficiency and cost reduction. 

At Additium3D, we use this polyamide especially for the Jet Fusion 5600 Series Printer, The new 3D printing system, which combines speed and precision, positions 3D printing as a cost-effective alternative to plastic injection moulding, even in medium and large batches.

What is Arkema Polyamide 12 S?

The Arkema PA12 S is a high-performance thermoplastic widely used in industrial applications. Its properties are notable for:

• High mechanical strength: withstands continuous stresses and heavy loads without deformation.
• Dimensional stability: maintains its measurements even under varying temperature and humidity conditions.
• Chemical resistance: tolerates oils, greases and many industrial solvents.
• Design flexibility: allows complex geometries that would be impossible or costly with traditional methods.

Thanks to these features, the PA12 S is ideal for functional parts, final prototypes and small to medium-sized production runs, especially when combined with multi-agent jet fusion technologies, as the Jet Fusion 5600 Series of HP.

Why industrial 3D printing is cost-effective compared to plastic injection moulding

For years, 3D printing was considered useful only for prototypes and proof-of-concepts, while 3D printing was considered to be a plastic injection dominated mass production. However, the combination of MJF technologies, The use of advanced materials such as PA12 S and process optimisation has changed the economic equation.

1. Flexibility versus rigidity of moulds

Injection moulding requires expensive moulds, with costs that can be in excess of 15.000-50.000 €, and limits production to one fixed design per mould. Each modification requires a new mould, causing delays and additional costs.

With industrial 3D printing, each design iteration is transformed directly into a digital file, ready to print, with no extra tooling costs or long waiting times. This allows companies to continuously improve its parts and adapt quickly to market changes or customer requirements.

2. Profitability in medium and large lots

In the past, 3D printing only paid off economically for small batches (100-500 pieces), while injection moulding dominated from 1,000-2,000 pieces.

Today, thanks to the efficiency of the Jet Fusion 5600 Series and the cost reduction of materials such as PA12 S, 3D printing is becoming competitive even in the batches of 5,000-15,000 pieces. This opens up opportunities for companies seeking:

• Validate products in the market before investing in moulds.
• Produce functional series without compromising quality or cost.
• Optimise the supply chain by eliminating unnecessary physical inventories.

3. Reduction of hidden costs

3D printing with PA12 S eliminates many costs that injection moulding does not show at first glance:

• Mould storage and maintenance: injection moulds require space and constant care.
• Minimum inventory: Injection moulding requires large batches to be profitable; with 3D, you only print what you need.
• Production time: while a mould can take weeks to produce, the Jet Fusion produces parts in a fraction of the time. days.
• Risk of modifications: any changes in design do not generate extra costs, unlike injection moulding.

Cost Comparison: MJF vs Injection

Data from industry platforms such as Weerg show that, for parts made of PA12 S:

• Batches of 100-500 pieces: MJF is up to 30% cheaper than SLS and competitive with fuel injection when hidden costs are considered.
• Batches of 1,000-15,000 pieces: MJF maintains advantages of flexibility and inventory reduction, and the cost per part becomes very competitive with moulds.

In addition, the production speed of the Jet Fusion 5600 allows optimise cycles, This reduces downtime and increases the return on investment, which is difficult to achieve with traditional injection moulding processes.

Industrial applications of PA12 S with MJF

The combination of PA12 S and MJF is used in sectors such as:

• Automotive: functional parts, prototype components and production tools.
• Medicine: anatomical models and adaptive devices.
• Electronics and robotics: housings, brackets and functional prototypes.
• Consumer goods: small series and product customisation.

A case in point is the collaboration of Additium3D with La Fe Hospital of Valencia, developing high-precision medical prototypes: high-resolution brain scanner project. This example shows how 3D printing with PA12 S makes it possible to develop solutions functional, fast and safe, even in critical environments such as healthcare.

Strategic advantages of PA12 S in industrial production

1. Unlimited design iteration: each part can be adjusted according to customer requirements at no extra cost.
2. Production flexibility: from prototypes to series of 15,000 pieces, without any loss of quality.
3. Cost optimisation: materials and production time compared to traditional injection moulding.
4. Inventory reduction: is printed on demand, avoiding physical storage and obsolescence.
5. Compatibility with advanced materials: Arkema's PA12 S enables it to meet the mechanical and chemical resistance standards required in demanding industrial environments.

How 3D printing with PA12 S and Jet Fusion works

The Jet Fusion 5600 Series uses a Multi-Jet Fusion (MJF) process that combines heat and fusion agents to solidify the Polyamide 12 S layer by layer:

• PA12 S powder is deposited on the print tray.
• A melting agent is selectively applied where solidification is needed.
• Uniform heat is applied which fuses the powder precisely and quickly.
• The result is pieces with high level of detail, strength and repeatability, ready for post-processing and industrial use.

This process is ideal for medium and large series, where speed of production and repeatability are critical factors for efficiency and profitability.

Case studies and real ROI

• Production of functional parts: automotive and industrial companies already confirm that for batch sizes of 5,000-15,000 parts, MJF with PA12 S is more cost-effective than injection moulding.
• Bridge Production: allows products to be validated before investing in expensive moulds, reducing risks and costs.
• Digital warehouses and parts on demand: eliminates the need for physical stock, reducing tied-up capital and optimising logistics.

Thanks to these advantages, Additium3D is able to offer its customers efficient and flexible industrial production, positioning 3D printing as a strategic technology compared to traditional methods.

Maximise your industrial production with Arkema PA12 S

The Arkema Polyamide 12 S, combined with the Jet Fusion 5600 Series Printer, 3D printing transforms 3D printing into a cost-effective and flexible industrial method, especially for medium and large batches.

If you want to to find out more about this technology, how it can be applied in your industrial production or apply for an personalised quotation, Contact us at 3D Printing in Industry. Our team will guide you to identify opportunities, optimise costs and maximise the benefits of PA12 S and MJF.