Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services


3D printer for rapid prototyping

23 October 2019 Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services

RS Components is shipping the latest version of the MakerBot 3D printer – the MakerBot Method – which has been designed to bridge the gap between industrial and desktop 3D printing. The unit targets engineers and designers who use 3D modelling software and need to create product prototypes rapidly for a range of purposes, such as to accelerate product development or to ensure the viability of parts before moving to volume production.

A key feature of the Method is its fast printing speed, which is up to two times faster than other popular desktop 3D printers, based on a range of tests using the same layer height and in-fill density settings. Use of the printer can save days or potentially weeks compared to the time taken to outsource prototyping via other additive manufacturing methods or CNC machining, for example.

Another advantage is the unit’s industrial reliability and precision: for example, the Method has a circulating heated chamber, which controls the heat of each layer and delivers a dimensional accuracy of ±0,2 mm, as well as improved layer adhesion and greater part strength. The unit also has a structurally optimised ultra-rigid metal frame that runs the full length of the body, which leads to more consistent prints with better part accuracy and fewer failures, as well as offsetting flexing or warping of printed objects.

The Method also comes with dual high-performance extruders, which offer lengthened thermal cores and optimised torque to maximise the material flow rate at high speeds. In addition, it has an extensive suite of sensors with a network of 21 intelligent devices embedded throughout to deliver enhanced control over the printing process.

Other specifications include: layer resolution from 400 down to 20 microns; maximum build volumes of 19 x 19 x 19,6 cm for single- and 15,2 x 19 x 19,6 cm for dual-extrusion processes; and connectivity options including Wi-Fi, Ethernet or USB drive.

Also supplied with the printer is high-precision material from MakerBot, including a spool of tough and a spool of precision dissolving PVA, which enables the easy removal of support material without compromising part design or dimensional accuracy.

The printer comes with a 12-month warranty and is compatible with a range of leading CAD software packages including SolidWorks, Autodesk, CATIA, Rhino and TinkerCAD.


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

The impact of ML in robotics
Yaskawa Southern Africa Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
The integration of machine learning into robotics has the potential to revolutionise many industries, and particularly the manufacturing sector.

Read more...
Polymer caps with very high ripple current capability
RS South Africa Passive Components
TDK Corporation has released the B40910 series of hybrid polymer capacitors, which can handle up to 4,6 A at 100 kHz and 125°C.

Read more...
TDK expands MLCC series
RS South Africa Passive Components
TDK Corporation has expanded its CGA series of multilayer ceramic capacitors, currently being the highest capacitance in 100 V products for automotive applications.

Read more...
Compact PCB-mount SMPS
RS South Africa Power Electronics / Power Management
Traco Power’s 5W PCB-mount switch mode power supply (SMPS) offers high efficiency, and is well suited for a variety of applications in the automation, electronics, electrical and mechanical industries.

Read more...
ITW EAE wins product introduction award
Allan McKinnon & Associates Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
ITW EAE has earned a 2024 New Product Introduction (NPI) Award for Electrovert’s Deep Wave option for wave soldering machines.

Read more...
Revolutionising clean air in electronics manufacturing
Allan McKinnon & Associates Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Designed to prioritise clean air in the electronics manufacturing industry, the ZeroSmog Shield Pro sets a new standard for workplace health and safety.

Read more...
High-speed multi-function dispensing
Techmet Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
The D-VIS and DL-VIS from GKG SMT printer specialists are high-speed dispensing systems that can handle multiple scenarios.

Read more...
Optical inspection for SMT
Techmet Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
The Xpection 1860 from Scienscope is a versatile X-ray inspection machine that offers comprehensive circuit board defect detection and quality assurance for the SMT industry.

Read more...
Yamaha introduces upgrades to its 3D AOI systems
Truth Electronic Manufacturing Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Yamaha Robotics SMT section has revealed performance-boosting upgrades for the YRi-V 3D AOI system, including faster board handling, multi-component alignment checking, and enhanced LED coplanarity measurement.

Read more...
Flexible printed electronics substrates
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
New LEXAN CXT film from SABIC offers high thermal process stability and transparency for demanding printed electronics substrates.

Read more...