3D Printing Industry has been at the 2017 TCT Show in Birmingham all week. Here are some of new 3D printers and the latest technology we’ve seen at the UK’s largest 3D printing trade show.
New printers on display included the XYZ full color da Vinci. The 3D printer uses a combination of inkjet and FFF/FDM technology to make full color models.
The new ZMorph VX Multitool 3D printer was launched at the TCT Show 2017. The 3D printer can also be used with a CNC milling toolhead, a laser toolhead, dual extruder or thick paste extruder. The VX marks a shift from earlier versions with an improved quality of components used and a renewed focus on the 3D printing element of the machine.
While Formlabs did not bring the forthcoming Fuse SLS 3D printer, a number of sample parts were on display. Competition in the SLS market is intensifying with Sinterit recently cutting the price of their LISA SLS 3D printer to below £5,000. The Fuse is currently priced around £10,000 and many will be keen to see if this first SLS machine from the team behind the popular Form series of SLA machines will have a similar impact on the SLS 3D printing market.
3D printing trends in 2017
One of the key 3D printing trends in 2017 is the increasing number of 3D printers capable of working with materials such as PEEK and PEI/ULTEM.
The INTAMSYS FUNMAT HT was on display and is one such 3D printer capable of using high performance functional materials like PEEK, ULTEM and PPSU. An upgrade means the FUNMAT HT extruder can operate at temperatures to 450°C in a constant temperature build chamber of 90°C.
In October, INTAMSYS is launching an upgraded FUNMAT PRO. The 3D printer will have a constant temperature chamber meaning improved reliability when 3D printing large-size and full-size objects in NYLON-Carbon Fiber, PCABS and PC. One impressive component from the FUNMAT PRO is the 3D printed drone frame below.
MiniFactory from Finland brought the Innovator 2 to TCT 2017, the machine is a high performance 3D printer for PEEK. The FFF 3D printer has a maximum printing size of 370 x 260 x 300 mm and is capable of resolutions range from 0.03-0.40 mm.
The build chamber of the Innovator 2 can be heated to a range between 25°C to 90°C. A liquid cooling system is used within the heated chamber.
The TCT Show also provides an opportunity to get a glimpse of forthcoming technology. Many of the conversations I had at the show were off the record, and the photo’s passed around on phones are not yet ready for the wider audience.
I can say that a new 3D printer from AON3D sounds impressive. The next 3D printer from the team behind the AON-M brings the ability to 3D print higher grade engineering thermoplastics and an industrial scale build volume. Cooling is also provided by a liquid system.
Open Source 3D printing
Other approaches to water cooling were on display at the E3D Online booth. The team were not giving much away at the show, but you can expect some interesting news about a modular ecosystem and the Trident water cooling system by the end of the year.
During the show the E3D booth became a focal point for many in the 3D printing community, with popular You Tube presenters such as Thomas Sanladerer of Toms3D and Joe from the 3D Maker Noob channel meeting visitors. Long-term respected voices in the 3D printing world were also present. I also spent some time speaking with RichRap who had copies of his useful guide to 3D printing with him.
On Wednesday, Dr. Adrian Bowyer – founder of the RepRap project – stopped by the E3D booth. Dr. Bowyer was awarded the 3D Printing Industry Outstanding Contribution to 3D Printing Award, as voted for by our readers, earlier this year. Throughout the TCT Show, the fruits of this project were visible – notably with Josef Prusa demonstrating his latest 3D printer, the MK3.
The Open Source 3D printing community also gathered last night for a dinner, while at Birmingham Town Hall a more formal event took place – the first TCT Awards. Winners included Desktop Metal who took the rising star award and 3D Systems. 3D Systems, together Rick and Morty producers Starburns Industries won the Creative Product Application Award for the stop motion animated film Anomalisa.
The event also saw the induction of the first five members to the TCT hall of fame. Dr. Bowyer, Chuck Hall of 3D Systems, Dr. Hans Langer of EOS, Scott Crump of Stratasys and Fried Vancraen from Materialise were all recognised for their contributions to the 3D printing industry.
Speaking about the award Fried said: “First of all, I want to congratulate my fellow inductees: Adrian, Chuck, Hans, and Scott. They have made fantastic contributions to the development and creative deployment of additive manufacturing. Thanks to Materialise’s backbone positioning, we have been able to work with each of them through partnerships, co-creations and many fruitful collaborations.”
“The most important thing I’ve learnt in my 27 years in this industry is that, if we want to use 3D printing to truly change the world for the better, we can never go it alone. Which is why the five people honored last night should be seen not as outstanding individuals, but as representatives of a great community that has achieved great things together.”
Ahead of the awards I had a chance to sit down with Fried Vancraen and hear more about the important trends driving the industry. The full interview will be published soon on 3D Printing Industry.
Recycle your 3D prints and 3D printing on TV
Back at the show, other new products on display included the SHR3D IT from 3Devo. Speaking to 3Devo founder, Tim Wesselink, he explained the machine is a “step back in terms of the supply chain.” The desktop SHR3D can be used to recycle failed FDM 3D prints, or other waste plastic, into plastic granules. These granules can then be used to produce filament with the 3Devo NEXT filament extruder.
With an expected price below £3,000, the SHR3D IT will be available in October.
Other forthcoming products on display included a prototype from SLA resin manufacturer, PhotoCentric. The Maximus 3D printer uses a 40 inch, 4K LCD TV screen as the light source and currently priced below £10,000 will be available in the Q1 2018. The Maximus 3D printer will have a build area of 490x880x700mm and has a build volume of 300 cm3.
This is just a glimpse of some of the new products seen at the 2017 TCT Show.
Our reporters are at the show all week, if you are visiting the Birmingham NEC today make sure you say hello to the latest member of the 3D Printing Industry team – Rushabh Haria.
This is just a glimpse of some of the new products seen at the 2017 TCT Show.
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