Essentium, Inc.®, has just announced its newest High Speed Extrusion (HSE) 3D Printer – the HSE™ 280i HT.
The HSE 280i HT 3D Printer is the first industrial 3D printer to offer true independent dual extruders (IDEX).
What is IDEX?
Printing supports with single head extrusion is challenging. Manufacturers that use a single head extrusion machine must design print supports that need to broken off in post-processing which can cause a bottleneck for production.
To solve this, many users turned to printers with one head and two extruders. This technology enables the end-use material to be printed with a soluble support material at the same time. Although it is prone to stringing filament or filament threads left on the piece, leaving manufacturers with a messy part in need of extra post-processing.
Double extruder on one print head
IDEX technology gives access to a world of opportunity for manufacturers. This ground-breaking technology is the next step up from conventional dual extrusion printers.
There are two forms of IDEX technology Semi and True-IDEX
Semi-IDEX
Semi-IDEX machines has two heads fixed to the X-axis gantry, allowing independent movement on the X-axis. This ability allows users to print clean support, as well as doubling productivity as manufacturers can print two identical parts at once but limiting machines to print modes that are synchronous on the Y-axis.
Semi-IDEX move independently on X-axis
Introducing True IDEX
The Essentium HSE 280i HT 3D Printing Platform is the first industrial 3D printer to offer true independent dual extruders (IDEX), where each head is fully independent on the X and Y-axis. This allows users to print two materials and opens the possibilities for print modes that were previously unattainable. This independent movement effectively gives users two machines for the price of one
True IDEX – heads move independently on both X and Y axis
The Power of True IDEX
True IDEX means the HSE 280i HT 3D Printer offers faster support printing as the print heads are not fixed to the same gantry, one head can purge material and heat up so that it is ready to go when the second head finishes and vice versa. This process lets users print parts with support in a fraction of the time.
True IDEX also means a faster time to part process as the HSE 280i HT 3D Printer allows users to print the most complicated parts, even asymmetrical halves in the same print.
The Future of Manufacturing
The HSE 280i HT 3D Printer opens a new world of possibility for additive manufacturing. Essentium believes in continuous and unrelenting innovation to do things never done before and the HSE 280i HT 3D Printer will give customers the tool to do that.
For a closer look at Essentium’s newest technology, visit the Essentium Experience opening May 2nd. Pre-register today!