9 features of industrial 3D printers

What should you consider when choosing an industrial 3D printer?

An industrial 3D printer can be a complementary machine that supports traditional manufacturing processes. Choosing a 3D printer that suits your needs is not an easy task. Here are a few features to look for in such types of machines:

1.​ Processing of ​high-performance​ and​ ​technical​ ​materials

It means that the printer should work with materials that are already used in the industry. Materials from these groups typically have exceptional mechanical properties and some unique characteristics such as chemical resistance or heat deflection temperature. PAEK family, ULTEM (PEI), PC or materials made with carbon fibers
are filled, these are just a few materials that belong to the groups mentioned above.

Why can't every 3D printer print with these materials?

Most of the time, high-performance materials need specific printing requirements to print correctly. ​ULTEM/PEI​ ​for​ ​e.g.​ ​requires​ ​at least​ ​170°C​ ​in​ ​the​ ​pressure​ ​chamber​ ​to​ ​get​ ​the​ ​desired​ ​mechanical​ ​strength​ and​ ​to​ ​receive​ ​the​ ​desired​ ​dimensions​ ​. ​Other​ materials​ require​ ​hardened​ ​drive wheels​, ​special​ ​build​ ​plates​ ​or​ ​special​ ​nozzles​.
Therefore, this feature alone is a strong indication that the 3D printer can be considered an industrial device. It means it can use materials already used in the industry.

2. Large, actively heated installation space

The heated installation space not only enables us to print with high-performance materials. ​It​ ​also​ ​allows​ ​us​ ​to​ ​print​ ​materials​ ​like​ ​ABS​ at​ ​higher​ ​temperatures​ ​. ​This​ ​is​ ​important​ ​since​ ​ABS​ ​printed​ ​in​ ​an​ ​un​​heated​ ​chamber​ ​is​ ​about​ 20-30% is weaker than the same material printed in a heated chamber.
The dimensions of the chamber are also very important. It determines how big the part or how many parts you can print at once. Maintaining a high stable temperature in a large printing chamber is one of the critical parameters for industrial 3D printers. Metal parts or components intended for these conditions should be used primarily in these chambers.

3. Print speed

This feature relates to the overall performance of the printer. When comparing different 3D printers as printing speed, you should refer to the time it takes to print the same model with similar parameters. This way you can check the print quality and actual print speed. Sometimes the values ​​presented by different manufacturers are only theoretical. The high traversing and printing speed ensures lower printing costs.
Rapid prototyping is not the only application for additive manufacturing systems. ​Fast​ ​industrial​ ​3D printers​ ​can​ ​also​ ​be​ ​used​ ​to​ ​manufacture​ ​end​ ​parts​ ​with​ ​many​ ​different​ ​design iterations​ ​.

4. Dual extruder system using soluble carrier materials

Technical and high-performance materials are expensive and usually have high mechanical strength. That's why printing with support material that is identical to the model material is not what you want. Cutting out the supports and then throwing them away creates costs that can be avoided if you use a 3D printer with two extruders and detachable supports. The nozzle system should move so that when the material is changed through the machine there is no risk of the inactive nozzle hitting the printed model.

5. ​The​ ​maintenance​ ​should​ ​be​ ​minimum

Cost is one of the key parameters when looking for a new 3D printer. Industrial 3D printers should have auto-calibration procedures that minimize the time it takes to set them up and run them.
The cloud base management software is also a good feature that cuts down the time to send the file. It can also help in management when we have many 3D printers. Modern 3D systems have tool-less modifications for critical components. You should be able to change print engines or nozzles quickly.

6. ​Total Cost of Ownership​ (​GBK​)

Industrial 3D printers need to reduce costs, not generate them. You should check if the manufacturer allows third party materials and if this will void your warranty.

One of the best solutions on the market is a hybrid material base. On the one hand, the manufacturer of your 3D printer has materials where material presets, print quality, etc. are designed for the best possible repeatability. On the other hand, you should ALWAYS be able to use third-party materials. Once you have gained experience using specific 3D printing machines, you can experiment with materials and material profiles.

7. ​Safety​ ​first​ ​

Remember that sometimes your 3D printer has 180°C in the chamber and the nozzle melts the material at almost 500°C. In this case, your machine should have an air filtration system - there are materials that may be dangerous for operators during printing, also the doors should be automatically locked during printing.

8. ​Small things matter

Other useful features include a camera that shows the printing process, a cloud management system, WiFi, a heated material chamber, a cleaning station (place where the printer changes the nozzles and flushes them), an automatic empty spool change and much more. Remember that the more the machine can do itself, the better the overall performance.

9. ​Full​ ​ecosystem

If you work to a strict schedule and don't have time for experimentation, you should be able to complete certain tasks without risk of failure. In moments like this, the ideal solution is to use 3D printers, software and materials from one manufacturer. In this case you can be sure that all components work well together and you can expect ideal quality, accuracy and impeccable prints.

Which solution do we recommend that meets all the criteria?

The industrial 3D printing systems from 3DGence meet all the requirements described for an industrial 3D printer . 3DGence has a TÜV Rheinland certificate, which tests and confirms process safety and reliability. In addition to the high print quality, the 3D printing systems offer the user the opportunity to process high-performance thermoplastics such as ULTEM, PEEK and PEKK and are not limited to the manufacturer in the selection of materials. In addition to the wide range of accessories and the high-quality and solid workmanship of the production systems, the industrial 3D printers from 3DGence are currently “ best in class ” in terms of total cost of ownership.

In summary, an investment in a 3DGence Industry 3D printer is a sensible one compared to many competitors. In terms of price/performance ratio, the high-quality 3D printers are sometimes unmatched.

If you would like more information or an individual consultation appointment for the 3DGence industrial 3D printers, please feel free to contact our friendly service team by phone or email.