Anisoprint, continuous fiber 3D printing technology developer, unveiled the Composer Nova composite 3D printer at the recently concluded TCT 3Sixty in Birmingham and TCT Asia in Shanghai.
The machine, which shares features with the company’s Industrial Prom IS 500 model, has up to four print heads and relies on tool changer technology to enable users to employ support materials without reducing the machine’s productivity.
Composer Nova Composite 3D Printer
A few years ago, Anisoprint introduced their desktop Composer 3D printing line to the market. This series had a single printhead with two nozzles: one for polymer material and the other for reinforcing fibre. Users would have to print support structures using the build material with a single printhead, but the Composer Nova will enable the printing of more easily removed water soluble compounds, such as PVA.
The apparent 5x improvement in plastic material printing speed and the 2x increase in fibre laydown speed per printhead are other advantages of the four printhead setup. According to Anisoprint, the majority of customers will print build and support materials with one printhead while the other two lay down the fibre. These printheads, which are composite fibre extrusion printheads of the eighth generation, are capable of switching over quickly.
“We wanted to print faster, so the first thing we do is separate the [print of plastics and fibres] into separate printheads. So, we introduced the concept of the toolchanger, so the plastic prints by itself, and so does the fibre so they both print faster. Also, before, you had to print the support using the base build material, which is difficult to remove. And since you cannot [dramatically] increase the moving speed of the fibre, you can increase the volume with the fourth printhead.”
– Ryan Liu, CEO, Anisoprint
The Composer Nova is a benchtop platform that uses the Composer moniker from its desktop series. Along with real-time print process monitoring and intelligent filament management technology that regulates temperature and flow rates, it has a build volume of 400 x 300 x 300 mm.
Additionally, the machine has built-in material chambers that enable customers to load up to six spools in a sealed compartment, as well as automated bed levelling and calibration.
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