14 DAY TRIAL // A company based in London has just released a 3D printer that is basically free from two of the biggest pitfalls of 3D printing technologies based on the concept of fused deposition modeling. This in addition to having one of the largest build volumes ever.
Said company goes by the name of 5AXISWORKS and, as the name implies, has come up with a way to let 3D printers move their extruder along five axes.
This is supposed to help not only expand the options for 3D printing methods and printed objects (like reducing the need for support platforms and materials), but also stop the final objects form looking corrugated.
They are showing off their technology through the 5AXISMAKER 3D printer, which has just been put up for crowd-funding on Kickstarter.
The 5AXISMAKER and the technology behind it
Normally, 3D printers can only extrude filament from above, along the x, y, and z axes. This is known as the Cartesian method. A second method uses a delta robot to attach an extruder to 3 arms, while movements at the base of the printer control them.
The 5AXISMAKER printer can move the extruder along 5 axes though, which means that the nozzle can actually face upward as well.
The printer is intended to be a sort of manufacturing facility unto itself, one that produces 3D prints free of visible extrusion lines on the outside and that can even 3D print along the surface of the finished object.
To elaborate, you could print a human figurine and then paint clothing, hair, or other accessories over it, from head to toe.
All in all, an impressive technological display, one that is made even greater by the size of the printer. The product measures 600 x 600 x 600 mm / 24 x 24 x 24 inches and has a build volume of 400 x 400 x 400 mm / 16 x 16 x 16 inches. On the other hand, considering that this is an entire manufacturing facility, the size is quite small.
It's one of the largest build volumes on the market of FDM (fused deposition modeling) printers, if not the greatest (barring man-sized contraptions with specific purposes). The C and B axis rotation speeds are of 20 revolutions per minute.
Availability and price
Availability depends on whether or not the crowd-funding campaign raises the intended £50,000 / $81,700 / €63,600. To actually get one, you need to pledge £4,499 / $7,350 / €5,720, which is a pretty low price in the grand scheme of things. If the campaign is successful, the retail price will likely be a bit higher, of around £5,000 / $8,200 / €6,325.
