Taiwanese 3D printer manufacturer XYZprinting introduced the da Vinci Color 5D 3D printer at CES 2020. This 5D 3D printer is a combination of a few favorite maker and desktop technologies: it’s a fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printer, a laser engraver, and a regular 2D printer.
Have a gander at the da Vinci Color 5D 3D printer. (Image courtesy of XYZprinting.)
Hardware Features of the da Vinci Color 5D
One interesting feature of the da Vinci 5D is its tool-to-tool mutability. It comes with a quick-release extruder to switch between FDM nozzles and a laser engraver attachment. The FDM nozzles allow the user to print in a variety of different PLA filaments, including metallic and carbon fiber ones. The laser engraver accommodates engravings in leather, plastic, wood, paper and cardboard.
Another interesting feature of this variable machine is the two ways in which it leverages regular CMYK 2D printer colors. The four basic 2D colors (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) used to print color images on a variety of papers are subtractive in character. Not in a manufacturing sense (like in how a CNC machine uses subtractive manufacturing) but in a 2D printing sense: The CYMK colors act as filters to subtract certain wavelengths of light.
The da Vinci 5D applies CYMK to a special PLA material that absorbs colored ink, enabling users to 3D print with a full range of colors. The machine also prints in 2D, just like a typical desktop printer.
A smattering of a few color objects printed by the da Vinci 5D 3D printer. (Image courtesy of XYZprinting.)
The da Vinci 5D Color 3D printer connects via USB and Wi-Fi to Windows PCs and Macs. Its footprint is fairly large at 560 × 560 × 635mm (22 x 22 x 25 in) and its weight pretty hefty at 34.8kg (76.7lb). For build size, the da Vinci 5D gives you 230 × 180 × 180mm (9 x 7 x 7 in) to play with, and a maximum build volume of 7.45 liters. It has a touchscreen interface, calibrates automatically, and has a top print speed of 180mm/s.
Bottom Line
The da Vinci Color 5D costs $3,999. Its ink cartridges are sold separately and cost $69.95 each.