In additive manufacturing, time is one of the biggest constraints. The faster a printed part can move to the next stage, the greater the efficiency across the workflow. Yet most binder systems still rely on curing to reach even basic handling strength. That step can take eight to seventy-two hours, slowing down output and tying up equipment that could be used for the next job.
Atomik AM’s solvent-based Universal Binder changes that. Its pre-formed polymer network gives parts strength as soon as they leave the printer. There is no curing stage or long wait. Parts can be de-powdered and tested in about fifteen minutes, keeping production lines moving and equipment productive.
Immediate Handling Through Smarter Chemistry
Traditional binder systems depend on heat to create structure. The liquid binder is deposited during printing, but it only hardens after a long thermal process. Until then, the printed part remains soft and fragile.
The Universal Binder is engineered differently. The chemistry is designed to form a strong, connected network the moment it is printed. That network locks powder particles in place, creating a solid structure that can be lifted and handled immediately. This single change removes one of the biggest delays in binder jetting and allows production to run continuously rather than in long, uneven cycles.
The gain is not only speed but also predictability. When parts can be handled minutes after printing, there is no idle time between build completion and de-powdering. Testing and downstream operations can begin almost at once, with no risk of deformation or waiting for a curing cycle to finish.
Higher Green Strength and Safer Handling
Low green strength has long been a limitation in binder jetting. Freshly printed parts are often too weak to move, and even gentle handling can cause cracks or distortion. This makes automation difficult and slows manual work.
Tests with Universal Binder show far greater green strength. Parts come out of the printer stable and self-supporting. They hold their shape, can be transferred safely and are ready for inspection straight away. That reliability reduces part loss and gives operators confidence in each print. It also allows consistent, repeatable movement from one stage to the next, which is essential for any scaled production environment.
Shorter Cycles and Lower Energy Use
Removing the curing stage reduces total production time from hours to minutes. Every cycle saved frees capacity and lowers costs. Curing ovens and heated chambers are major energy consumers in binder jetting, often running for long periods to maintain high temperatures. With the Universal Binder, those systems are no longer needed.
This change makes the process faster and cleaner. Energy consumption drops, turnaround times shrink and production planning becomes easier. Builds can be printed, de-powdered and tested within a single shift. The same equipment can deliver more output in less time, improving both efficiency and profitability.
Better Powder Use and Less Waste
A further benefit of Universal Binder is its impact on powder management. In a curing-based workflow, the whole build often has to go through the oven, even if only part of it contains components that need immediate processing. That approach wastes both energy and material, since unused powder is exposed to heat unnecessarily and can degrade in quality.
Universal Binder allows a more selective process. Because parts gain strength right away, operators can de-powder individual sections without waiting for a full build to cure. This leads to cleaner powder recovery, less contamination and lower material costs over time. It is a small change that creates a meaningful improvement in sustainability and cost control.
A Step Towards Scalable Manufacturing
Speed on its own is not enough. Scalable manufacturing depends on repeatability, predictability and control. The Universal Binder chemistry is designed for consistency across different geometries and materials, producing the same reliable handling behaviour every time.
That reliability supports automation and advanced process integration. When handling strength is guaranteed, robotic de-powdering or automated transfer systems can operate without risk of part failure. This enables binder jetting to move closer to continuous production rather than remaining a batch-based process.
By cutting out long waits and variable curing results, Universal Binder helps additive manufacturing reach true industrial efficiency.
Built for Real Production
Reducing production time from hours to minutes changes more than just workflow speed. It makes binder jetting a viable option for true industrial use. Manufacturers can respond faster, lower their energy footprint and maintain consistent part quality from build to build.
Immediate handling increases throughput and keeps operations moving. Higher green strength protects yield and reduces waste. Lower energy use and cleaner powder recovery improve sustainability and make each batch more economical.
For any team aiming to scale additive manufacturing, those gains are significant. Universal Binder removes one of the final barriers between experimental printing and dependable high-volume output. It delivers speed, stability and efficiency in a single chemistry, ready for real production.
Want to see how Universal Binder could accelerate your process?
Speak to our team to learn how faster handling, lower energy use and higher efficiency can transform your production line.
