There are very few extrusion 3D printers on the market that are capable of handling industrial materials, aside from those made by Stratasys, one of the two largest 3D printer manufacturers in the industry along with 3D Systems. Businesses looking to produce professional-grade parts, either for short runs or for prototyping, usually have to rely on Stratasys for plastic extrusion, leaving them at the mercy of that sole manufacturer in terms of price, quality and materials. Fortunately, a few other manufacturers of industrial-grade machines are slowly starting to emerge. In addition to 3ntr, makers of the A2 and A4 series of 3D printers, and Indmatec, with its PEEK Printer, an Italian company called Roboze has announced the commercial availability of the One+400 3D printer, designed to 3D print with a variety of industrial materials, including polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and polyetherimide (PEI).
The Roboze One+400 gets its name from the fact that the 3D printer’s two extruders can reach temperatures as high as 400°C, allowing it to 3D print with 12 different industrial-grade materials that are often employed in manufacturing. For instance, the One+400 is designed to use Roboze’s own filament made from PEEK, known in demanding engineering applications for its strong mechanical and chemical resistance characteristics. Interestingly, PEEK is also biocompatible, a boon for medical implants. For the One+400, Roboze also manufactures filament made from PEI, valued for its heat, solvent, and flame-resistant qualities. Other materials that the One+400 can process include acrylic glass, polycarbonate, and carbon-reinforced nylon.
The build volume of the machine is 200 mm x 200 mm x 200 mm (7.9 in x 7.9 in x 7.9 in), which may not be the most substantial; but the use of an aluminum build plate that can reach up to 150°C, and an enclosed print area demonstrate that the One+400 is meant for industrial-grade prototypes and short-run production. Another unique feature of the Roboze machine is the use of a beltless system. Rather than relying on rubber belts, which can wear over time or may need to be regularly calibrated, the One+400 features tempered stainless steel racks and pinions that allow the machine to achieve 50-micron precision.