The ExOne Company’s “cold hardening phenol” (CHP) binder agent is now in commercial operation on a machine in Freiberg, Germany, for prototype casting producer, ACTech GmbH. It is the first 3D printer in the world using the new binder, which was first reported last September as a further development of the phenolic binder formulations ExOne debuted in 2013.

According to the developer, ACTech is able now to produce prototypes of challenging designs more quickly and cost-effectively. “Compared to traditional rapid prototyping procedures, this new technology enables the production of high-strength molds and cores for sand castings, which until now were achievable only with laser sintering,” according to an ExOne announcement.

(Source: http://foundrymag.com/moldscores/exone-s-cold-hardening-phenol-binder-production-now)