Polymer pioneers put north west on the map
6 May 2024
Work has completed on a project to develop technology for 3D printed polymers for scaled up commercial use, which could eventually be used to aid equipment for space science.
Light Coatings Ltd, based at the Sci-Tech Daresbury site in the Liverpool City Region and serving the thin film and vacuum deposition industry, has been supported with a £100,000 Innovate UK grant as part of the Liverpool City Region Launchpad programme.
Over the last year, its research team has worked on coating technologies to demonstrate the viability of physical vapour deposition (PVD) coatings on a range of commercially viable 3D printed polymers.
During the PVD PALM project, coatings and materials suitable for a broad range of 3D printed materials were tested to produce wear and tensile test data focused on durability, conductivity and optical properties.
This work has already led to a further funded project to explore this technology for space applications.
Directors Dr Steven Stanley and George Titley said the support from Innovate UK had been essential in order to develop the technology.
George Titley stated: “There have been many benefits throughout the twelve month PVD PALM project, R&D, improved in-house testing capabilities, an increase in coating material choices on offer, an increase in staff to name but a few.
The increase in knowledge and data captured regarding polymers and what can be offered has been a huge leap forward for Light Coatings and this was made possible due to the Innovate UK funding.”
