With the Voxelfill process, AIM3D is hoping to overcome inhomogeneous strength issues by achieving selective densities in the component.
By using the 3D extrusion technology of the CEM process, AIM3D has developed a Voxelfill strategy that is said to overcome limitations and increase the cost effectiveness of the CEM process. Voxelfill can also be used for multi-material components and is suitable for constructing 3D components using plastics, metals and ceramics.
With the Voxelfill approach, components are no longer created exclusively in layers, but utilise cross-layer filling by using so-called voxels as volume areas.
The Voxelfill strategy comprises two process stages:
1. Generation of a lattice structure: the CEM system repeats this structure up to a defined height of the volume elements, then at this point the previously created cavities are filled by injecting thermoplastic material with the extruder
2. Filling phase of the voxels: now the more important component of this 3D printing strategy is deployed: when the volume areas are filled, this does not include filling all voxels in one plane.