By Cassandra Balentine
Part 3 of 3
As build size capabilities increase, the amount of solutions on the market also expands.
The September issue of Industrial Print magazine offers a feature article on three-dimensional (3D) printers categorized as “large” by their manufacturers. Find a product round up of some of these solutions below.
3D Ceram
3D Ceram’s current printer boasts a substantial build platform measuring 600x600x300 millimeters (mm). However, the company has the capability to develop even larger printers if there is market demand for such expansions. Thanks to its top-down technology, 3D Cream is not constrained by significant limitations in terms of size.
CEAD Group
CEAD offers large-size 3D printers, including the Flexbot, its robot-based 3D printer. The standard size options for the Flexbot consist of 2×1-, 3×1-, and 4×2-meter build volumes. However, the Flexbot is a modular 3D printer, which is customizable to the specific needs of its clients. In fact, the company recently installed the largest robot-based 3D printer worldwide with a 4×36-meter print bed.
The Flexbot is also a hybrid machine capable of both additive and subtractive manufacturing. Combining multiple manufacturing processes in one system allows users to print a fully finished print with the right surface finish in one cell. The robot kinematics are fully integrated into a CNC system, allowing for precise movements along a complex toolpath and eliminating the need for a separate robot controller. The company also offers an entire range of robot extruders that vary in terms of weight, output, heating power, and other specifications. They are designed as standalone systems that can be integrated on virtually all robotic arms or gantry systems.
Essentium
Essentium offers a range of 3D printers, including models with larger build sizes. Its flagship model, the Essentium High Speed Extrusion (HSE) 180•S Series, offers a maximum build size of 690x500x600 mm.
The machine differentiates itself with its industrial-grade reliability, exceptional print speed, and high-temperature capabilities. These features ensure accuracy and consistency in producing large-scale parts, meeting the demanding requirements of various industries. In addition, the Essentium HSE 280i HT 3D Printer is designed for the demands of the factory floor. It features independent dual extruders, enabling manufacturers to speed up the production of complex parts while significantly reducing post-processing costs.
Fabrisonic
Fabrisonic has a catalog of several machines. The largest, SonicLayer 7200, accommodates parts 2x2x1 meters.
Impossible Objects
The CBAM 25’s maximum 3D print volume is 18×17.7×4 inches. The company says its technology is inherently different from the competition and beyond its distinct speed advantage is the ability to 3D print large, flat parts that do not warp, shrink, or deform. In addition, its composite material enables it to offer industrial-grade parts that are stronger than ABS plastic and lighter than aluminum.
Lithoz GmbH
Lithoz’ CeraMax Vario V900 was developed to offer exactly this kind of “larger size” 3D printer in its portfolio. It uses LIS technology to print large ceramic parts with full densities and thick walls of between 200 – 1.000 µm. By using heat to cure the ceramic slurry, rather than light exposure as with its LCM technology, the clear differentiation is that dark ceramics can be used to 3D print large parts that need no debinding.
MELD
Currently, MELD’s largest standard printer is the 3PO model, which not only features the company’s largest build volume, but is also its first hybrid printer. The 3PO incorporates the MELD system with an integrated subtractive machine. It has a 3-axis additive head along with a standard 3-axis subtractive head that can be upgraded to a 5-axis head.
By combining additive and subtractive capabilities into one machine, the need for a second machine for the subtractive process is eliminated. This can potentially increase production while decreasing the amount of floorspace that would typically be needed for two separate machines. It has a build volume of 157.5x106x39.4 inches or 4,000×2,700×1,000 mm.
Meltio
The Meltio Engine configuration is as a flexible tool that can be integrated either in a CNC milling machine or on a 6-axis robotic arm.
The second platform allows the manufacturing of large parts, with the solid limitation being only the size of the robot; in terms of components where the is value in manufacturing with this system, Meltio’s soft guidelines are up to 2 meters (seven feet) in one direction and 50 kg (110 lbs) in mass.
Photocentric
The Liquid Crystal Titan by Photocentric is a commercially available, large format LCD 3D printer, at 27.5×15.5×47.2 inches or 700×39.5×1,200 mm.
Replique
As a decentral manufacturing platform, Replique offers access to a range of 3D printers through its 3D printing service partners located worldwide. This also includes large size 3D printers with the maximum build size offered by its partners being 2,000×1,000×1,000 mm.
The company focuses on providing a seamless and user-friendly platform as a one-stop shop for on-demand parts.
Ultimaker
Ultimaker recently launched its latest offering in UltiMaker’s professional 3D printing solution—the UltiMaker Method XL, engineered to manufacture large, complex parts that are durable using industrial-grade materials like ABS-R and ABS Carbon Fiber. Method XL is designed to deliver the accuracy and precision of industrial production alongside the flexibility and affordability of a desktop 3D printer.
Method XL offers a spacious 305x305x320 mm build volume and a dimensional accuracy of ± 0.2 mm, allowing customers to tackle ambitious engineering projects—from functional prototyping to end-use parts. The build volume expands to 340x305x320 mm for single material print.
Method XL includes a temperature-controlled heated chamber, which can reach up to 100°C, designed to deliver optimal results when printing with ABS, one of the most popular and challenging materials to successfully print on a desktop 3D printer due to its tendency to warp and deform. In addition, Method XL has a heated build plate that further reduces the risk of warping and layer adhesion issues.
XXL-DLP
XXL-DLP currently offers three versions of its XXL-DLP printers, ranging up to 3 meters in building volume.
Super Sizing 3D
Larger build sizes are a reality in the 3D printing space. Several manufacturers offer solutions classified in the larger build segment, and more are sure to follow.
Learn more about larger build sizes in our feature article on the topic in the September issue, as well as parts one and two of this series.
Read part one and two of this series.
Aug2023, Industrial Print Magazine
