Suprem is a Swiss materials manufacturer specializing in continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastics. Its solutions allow the machinery, medical, energy, sports and aeronautical industries to design resistant, light and resistant parts at high temperatures. Recently, the company launched a brand dedicated to additive manufacturing: this new FilapremTM The range offers continuous fiber reinforced filaments. Based on its more than 30 years of experience in the field of composite materials, Suprem has developed filaments with excellent temperature resistance and an optimal stiffness-to-weight ratio. We caught up with CEO Anatole Gilliot to learn more about this strategic move and his ambitions in the additive manufacturing market.
3DN: Could you introduce yourself?
Hello, my name is Anatole Gilliot. He has been running the Suprem SA company for six years. I am a materials engineer and I had the opportunity to do a doctorate with the German Aerospace Center in alliance with Airbus. I also completed my education with an Executive MBA.
Anatole Gilliot
3DN: How did you discover additive manufacturing?
In fact, our thermoplastic composite materials have been used for additive manufacturing for some 30 years. They are respectively added, deposited and consolidated layer by layer and are not machined from a billet like metals. However, only recently have the various additive manufacturing processes been democratized and industrialized, in particular thanks to increased automation and digitalisation.
3DN: What is Supreme’s core business?
We develop and manufacture continuous fiber thermoplastic composite materials that our customers process with automated manufacturing technology, such as filament winding and now 3D printing. These materials will later be used for applications in machinery, sports and leisure, medicine, aeronautics, and energy.
filapremTM range offers continuous fiber reinforced filaments
3DN: You recently launched the Filaprem brand. What made you opt for additive manufacturing?
The Filaprem™ brand corresponds to products specifically adapted for 3D printing, either processed by extrusion or direct energy deposition. It’s more or less a miniaturization of what we’ve been offering for additive manufacturing for decades. Meanwhile, Filaprem™ required several years of development and industrialization.
3DN: What are the characteristics of your 3D printing materials?
The fibers of the filaments are continuous and provide mechanical properties far superior to those of filaments made of pure polymer or reinforced with short fibers. In addition, Filaprem™ with low porosity, very good fiber/matrix distribution and constant quality allows parts to be manufactured automatically and industrially. It can be used to reinforce 3D printed plastic parts or to replace metal components.
3DN: What markets is Supreme targeting?
Filaprem™ can be used in any market where an increase in mechanical performance against plastics or metals is needed. We also target industrial applications where engineered thermoplastics are required to withstand harsh environments such as water, temperature and chemicals. Furthermore, our 3D printing materials are intended for parts that need to be printed in large quantities and without interruption.
Credits: Supreme
3DN: What are the particularities of composite additive manufacturing? Are Suprem materials compatible with all 3D printers?
Filaprem™ filaments are compatible with the extrusion process, such as FDM or FFF. They can be used with high temperature “open” printers where the user can choose their material. Some 3D printing machines on the market can already successfully process our materials and we could recommend them to 3Dnatives readers. Engineers can also adapt or build their own printer considering the specifications of our filaments.
3DN: Could you tell us what Suprem has planned for the future?
Our plan is to contribute to the democratization of continuous fiber 3D printing and make this manufacturing technology and corresponding materials accessible to many industries in various markets. We will be supporting with high and consistent quality material, manufactured industrially and in large quantities.
Credits: Supreme
3DN: Any last words for our readers?
If your part is too heavy, not rigid enough, should not conduct heat or electricity, or has corrosion issues and needs to be 3D printed, consider ordering Filaprem™.
Did you already know the Filaprem™ brand? If you are interested in learning more about it, be sure to visit the Surpem website HERE. Let us know in a comment below or on our Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly newsletter here, bringing the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.
Leave a Reply