The BigRep EDGE (Image courtesy of BigRep.)
Today at formnext, the large-scale 3D printing company BigRep unveiled two new industrial 3D printers: The BigRep PRO and BigRep EDGE, aiming to provide engineers and designers with the ability to create functional prototypes, as well as composite tooling, end-use parts and small-number serial production.
Capable of printing with high-performance materials, the PRO and EDGE are intended for the automotive, aerospace, consumer goods and similar industries. The new printers are embedded with BigRep MXT, the company’s proprietary Metering Extruder Technology, and equipped with a Bosch Rexroth motion control system. BigRep PRO is available to order immediately. BigRep EDGE is scheduled for release in Q2 2019.
The BigRep PRO. (Image courtesy of BigRep.)
“This new technology delivers the type of innovation that the industry has been awaiting, as our groundbreaking MXT system makes our new printers five times faster – with greater precision and quality – than current extrusion speeds,” said BigRep CEO, Stephan Beyer, PhD. “This is one giant leap for additive manufacturing, allowing BigRep customers to make full use of today’s most advanced large-scale 3D printing technology.”
BigRep PRO is specifically designed for 3D printing of large-scale industrial parts, featuring a build envelope of one cubic meter and a large, temperature-controlled spool chamber for continuous printing with high-performance materials, such as ASA/ABS and nylon. The insulated, enclosed metal frame is designed to ensure even temperature control. The heated print bed is mounted with polyimide foil for enhanced adhesion during the printing process, and an integrated inductive sensor allows for semi-automatic leveling.
(Image courtesy of BigRep.)
BigRep EDGE, with a print bed measuring 1500 x 800 x 600 mm, is specifically designed for high-end, high performance materials in large-scale format, allowing for end-use parts, functional prototypes and composite tooling. Its heated build chamber provides a controlled, high-temperature environment of up to 200 C in the chamber and 220 C in the print bed. The EDGE also features a automatic, upward-moving doors and a graphical interface on a large screen that enables full control over all print settings.
The PRO and the EDGE represent the results of the development partnership announced earlier this year between BigRep and Bosch Rexroth. Through this partnership, the PRO and the EDGE will be the first 3D printers by BigRep incorporating CNC control systems and drives by Bosch Rexroth.
Thomas Fechner, Director of the Business Unit New Business at Bosch Rexroth, commented: “Thanks to professional control systems technology, 3D printing is establishing itself as an industrial manufacturing application. In terms of hardware, the CNC control system by Bosch Rexroth is delivering the necessary performance, precision and durability. In our development partnership with BigRep, we are advancing the potential of 3D printing for its use in the environment of the Factory of the Future.”
(Image courtesy of BigRep.)
Unlike its predecessor, BigRep MXT establishes a clear separation between filament feeding and melting and molten extrusion, which, according to the company, allows for full control over the amount and speed of material extrusion. The PRO and EDGE are equipped with two MXT modular extrusion heads, which manage and synchronize the extrusion and printing operations. This translates into printing speeds of >600 millimeters per second (mm/s), when the PRO is used with its finest 0.6 mm nozzle. The EDGE surpasses that with speeds of 1,000 mm/s with the finest 0.6 mm nozzle in place.
For more information on this announcement, visit BigRep’s website.
To learn more about large-scale 3D printing, check out WAAM, BAAM, Thank You, AM.