BigRep Industrial 3D Printers

BLADE 5.9.3

Mani — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 15:17:34 +0000

BLADE 5.9.3
Dedicated BLADE version for BigRep VIIO 250 and ONE.5.

Rapid Tooling with 3D Printers: A Step by Step Guide

TheSearchInitiative — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 14:48:30 +0000

Developing and manufacturing tools and prototypes can be an uphill task. In a highly competitive manufacturing environment, the right fabrication method may decide whether a pipeline project will be launched or not. The reasons are multifaceted since traditional manufacturing processes like injection molding, thermoforming or casting can have big challenges to overcome:

High upfront costs to finance e.g. prototypes, molds, or patterns.
Long lead times (weeks or months) to get the parts from providers.
Roadblocks in product development that delay the process and may lead to a competitive disadvantage.

Nowadays, rapid prototyping and tooling with industrial 3D printers provide a contemporary way of manufacturing inhouse that is faster, budget-friendly, and autonomous. Let’s take a critical look at this modern manufacturing method.

Vestas, a global leader in sustainable energy solutions, manufactures tooling for the installation of the lightning protection system.

What is Rapid Production Tooling?

Rapid production tooling is a technique to manufacture tools and prototypes with the aid of 3D printing technology such as the fused filament fabrication (FFF) method. Compared to rapid prototyping – which focuses on iterating parts – rapid tooling concentrates on manufacturing tools like jigs, fixtures, molds, patterns, or dies. These tools are utilized in traditional processes to fabricate the final parts afterward. Rapid production tooling closes an important gap between prototyping and the final production of end-use parts.

Download the eBook to see how Ford reduced lead times for tooling production by 94%.

What are the benefits of Using 3D Printing for Production Tooling?

There are several aspects that definitively show the benefits of rapid prototyping and tooling with 3D printing technology:

3D printing is faster

3D printers allow significantly quicker production periods than conventional methods. This is thanks to in-house production, reduced logistics, and fast technology. With rapid tooling services, fabricating parts only takes hours or days, rather than weeks or months. This time saving is valuable for product developers to check out their design, material, and usability – and adjust them if necessary.

3D printing is economical

Due to faster manufacturing, the total development and project costs are being reduced. Especially in comparison with conventional methods like CNC machining, the initial costs for smaller quantities or prototypes are often lower. Also, complex geometries are easier and more favorable to make with rapid tooling.

3D printing has premium quality

Advanced industrial 3D printers enable high-quality results, preciseness, and consistency on a production level. The result is that less to no post-treatment is needed.

3D printing is flexible

Whether engineers want to try out different designs, materials, or sizes during prototype development or manufacturers wish to test the acceptance of a new product in a market to widen their product range: rapid tooling makes it easy to produce modified duplications with a small number of units thanks to the flexibility of 3D printers. This saves valuable money and time.

3D printing is within reach

Industrial 3D printing machines are available in different sizes, so engineers and designers can easily choose the right format that bests fits their needs and available space. Thus, having the 3D printer available in-house makes it easy to work with and get the printed items immediately – rather than waiting for weeks with conventional manufacturing processes and outsourcing.

With 3D printing, auto manufacturer Ford produces hand jigs in 2-3 days and prints fixtures overnight, helping them innovate faster plus drastically reducing costs.

Which 3D Printing Materials and Methods work well for Tooling?

There are numerous materials and methods applicable for rapid tooling with an industrial 3D printer. The table below is just a little extract.

MATERIAL

METHOD

Plastics

Photopolymers – cured by UV light, used for prototype parts; ideal for soft tooling (e.g. rapid design testing)

Polyamides – nylon giving strong but flexible properties; ideal for hard tooling (e.g. higher production volumes)

Stereolithography (SLA), Digital Light Processing (DLP), Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP)

Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Stereolithography (SLA)

METALS

Stainless steel – durable metal exposed to heat, force, or moisture

Cobalt chrome – used for medical prototypes and production tools

Binder Jetting, Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)

Electron beam melting (EBM), Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)

COMPOSITES

Silicone rubbers – flexible material for soft tooling allowing easy removal of prototype parts.

Infiltrated metals – tungsten carbide strengthened with nickel or cobalt binder for an abrasion-resistant, precision surfaces

Stereolithography (SLA), Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)

Binder Jetting (BJ), Metal Injection Molding (MIM), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Selective Laser Melting (SLM)

Which Types of Tooling benefit from 3D Printing?

Since the list of types benefitting from 3D printing is extensive, here we only focus on the most common ones.

TOOLING

USAGE

WHY 3D PRINTING

1. Mold for casting and injection molding

Molds bring materials into desired forms e.g., metals, plastics, rubber.

Allows complex molds to be produced quickly at lower cost, useful for low-volume production runs or prototype parts. Materials e.g., photopolymers, metal-filled resins.

2. Jigs and fixtures

Tools to hold, support, or guide a workpiece during manufacturing, assembly, or inspection processes.

Allows custom jigs and fixtures with complex geometries tailored to the shape of parts being worked on to speed up the production process, reduce errors, and improve accuracy. Create lightweight and ergonomic tooling, particularly useful for handheld devices.

3. Prototyping tools and end-use parts

Used to test and validate designs before going into full-scale production.

Allows manufacturers to build functional prototypes or end-use parts quickly for testing, particularly important in industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical devices, where design iterations need to be evaluated before full production begins.

4. Thermoforming tools

Used in processes where a material is heated and formed into a specific shape by pressing it against a mold.

Allows rapid production of molds with complex surface details that can reduce the need for post-processing and enhance the final product quality. Ideal for low-volume runs or prototypes before moving to traditional tooling for high-volume production.

From Printer to Racetrack – A Practical Example

In the following example, a large mold was printed and used as a lay-up tool for a composite structure to produce the final part. Here's an overview of the process:

Step 1 – Printing a large-scale mold

Step 2 – Coating & post-processing

Step 3 – Carbon fiber sheet coating

Step 4 – Resin injection (vacuum infusion)

The result: The part was installed on a racing car as a fully functional component.

What are the Considerations and Limitations of 3D Printing for Tooling?

Although rapid prototyping and tooling with 3D printers come up with various advantages, users should consider some challenges that go along with this manufacturing method.

Costs
First things first: an industrial 3D printer is a major purchase which implies high initial costs (e.g. printer, material, software, service). It will take some time – and prints – until it amortizes. It will save money in the long term since it’s a flexible, instant in-house solution without further major expenses. Alternatively, rapid tooling services provide access to affordable rapid tooling solutions.
Watch the webinar where Ford explains how they achieved ROI after just 3 prints.

Durability
Items made by additive methods may fail sooner than those made by conventional tooling. The reasons for this vary:

Material limitations: Some materials (e.g. plastics) have lower mechanical strength and high-temperature resistance than metals.
Layered structure: Since 3D printed tools are built layer by layer, there are weak interfaces between the layers which could lead to delamination.
Thermal and mechanical stress: When exposed to temperature fluctuation, additive items with poor thermal conductivity may crack, warp, or weaken.

Considering the lifespan of a tool, rapid tooling can reduce the total costs through fast design cycles and iterations.

Surface
Compared to conventionally manufactured tools, the surface of items produced with 3D printers often needs attention. However, after post-treatment like polishing or dragging, the tools and prototypes receive a plane surface.

A Game Changer in Manufacturing

All in all, rapid tooling and prototyping have changed the way manufacturers plan, produce, and place their pipeline products on the market. With various industrial 3D printers and filaments for different possible applications, BigRep empowers engineers and designers to accomplish their manufacturing goals.

What is your next tooling project? Let’s talk about it and find out how our industrial 3D printing machines can make your ideas become real.

GET IN TOUCH WITH US

About the author:

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Yücel Uzunoglu

Guest Author

If you ask Yücel, every good story needs one main ingredient: the curiosity of a 6-year-old. The copywriter hasn't lost it, even after more than a decade in the communications industry. His story now continues at BigRep, where the “jack-of-all-trades” shares his curiosity for 3D printing with like-minded people.

Large Scale 3D Printing Shines New Light on Laser Research

Natasha Mathew — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 10:57:49 +0000

LZH uses large scale 3d printing for laser research by creating custom experiment environments with the BigRep VIIO 250.

Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH), a leading research center in Lower Saxony, Germany is dedicated to laser technology, encompassing the study of optics, lasers, quantum technologies, smart additive manufacturing, and other relevant fields.

The Optical Components Department in the institute focuses on photonic materials, smart optical devices, optical coatings, and optics integration. Joshua McCauley is a Research Associate in the department and a major portion of his work involves understanding the optical properties of different materials. Simply put, in his experiments, he beams laser onto optical samples and measures how much heat they absorb and how quickly they cool down.

Typically, aluminum chambers are used for these experiments but they proved limiting to Joshua as he faced challenges in creating a temperature-stable environment. The holes for the laser to enter and exit the chamber caused issues like unwanted airflow and temperature changes, making the experiment's results unreliable.

The Challenge: Customizing Experiment Environments

Joshua McCauley with the chamber 3D printed by the BigRep VIIO 250.

The traditional aluminum experiment chamber had troubles with:

Limited design flexibility constrained by fabrication methods such as injection moulding.
Poor thermal isolation allowed external temperatures to interfere with experiments.
High costs associated with outsourcing the construction of custom metal parts needed for the experiment.
Optical experiments often require modular setups to house different configurations of laser beams. The aluminum chamber did not have custom parts for the entry and exit of the laser beams which led to convection issues and temperature fluctuations.

Large Scale 3D Printing for Laser Research

LZH’s facilities at the Centre for Additive Manufacturing

LZH has been well-equipped with the latest additive manufacturing machines, which include a BigRep machine - the STUDIO that had a solution for Joshua McCauley. Matthias Henzler, from the additive manufacturing department at LZH, stepped up to the task of fabricating the chamber using 3D printing.

“ We were looking for a large-scale 3D printer with two main requirements. It needed to have a closed build chamber and the ability to print with two materials at the same time and the BigRep VIIO fit the bill ”

- Matthias Henzler, employee at Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V.

The Chamber Design

The two walls are designed to further insulate the chamber for accurate experiment results.

The chamber was designed with a reduced surface area to minimize the thermal effect of the lab environment and has two parts - a roof and a bottom half. In the middle, there is a piece where the laser beam passes through, which can be swapped out depending on the type of lens or angle required for the laser. This modular set-up is for easy adjustment which helps control unwanted airflow or temperature fluctuations.

The part through which the laser passes through in the 3D printed chamber.

The two walls in the chamber reduce the heat transfer and are only slightly connected at the bottom. The space between them can either be left empty or filled with insulating materials like foam or sand to further control thermal effects.

Reasons for Going Big with 3D Printing

Matthias Henzler 3D printing with the BigRep VIIO at LZH.

Design Flexibility
The ability to print complex, non-standard shapes allowed the team to create custom chambers that would be difficult or impossible to construct with aluminum. For example, modular chambers with swappable components could now be designed, offering the flexibility to modify the setup depending on the experiment.
Thermal Isolation
The dual-wall chamber design helps maintain a stable temperature. This configuration offers thermal isolation, as the walls were separated, and the space between them could be filled with insulating materials like foam or sand. The result was a reduced impact from external temperature fluctuations.
Scalability
With BigRep VIIO’s large build volume of 1000 mm x 500 mm x 500mm, the research team could print the entire chamber structure, not just small components. This scalability was essential for creating the large-scale parts needed for optical experiments, something desktop 3D printers couldn’t handle.
Cost Efficiency
Instead of outsourcing, which is both expensive and time-consuming, Joshua was able to have the chamber fabricated on-site with the BigRep VIIO. This eliminated the prohibitive costs and helped him experiment with design and prototype at lower costs.

Using the VIIO is stress-free because it reliably completes parts with minimal effort. Automation features like the one-click start, preheating, and bed mapping allow you to focus on other tasks while the printer produces precise parts.”

- Matthias Henzler.

WHY THE BIGREP VIIO 250

Advanced Automation

Automated features such as bed mapping, one-click start, filament flow rate adjustment, and x/y calibration save valuable time, and researchers can focus on other tasks.

Enclosed Build Chamber

The actively temperature-controlled build chamber heats up to 50°C and delivers consistent results regardless of the complexity or size of the parts.

Dual Extruders Print with Different Materials

One of the key features of VIIO that LZH was sold on was the 3D printer's ability to print with two materials in a single print job.

Large-Scale Build Volume

The generous build volume of 1000 mm x 500 mm x 500 mm (250 liters) is perfect for large parts that LZH’s smaller 3D printers cannot handle.

Precise Parts

The VIIO 250's print bed ensures uniform heat distribution for consistently robust parts and strong part adhesion which can be cleanly popped off as the printer cools down.

Ease of Use

The machine user interface has animated guides that deliver clear information, alerts, and warnings to help researchers easily manage their print jobs.

Seeing Optical Research in a New Light

Large-scale 3D printing offers the flexibility to explore big ideas that were previously cost-prohibitive for Joshua McCauley. Instead of outsourcing the production of the chamber, he was able to get it 3D printed in-house with the material of his choice which made experimentation affordable and well within his reach.

At LZH, the BigRep VIIO has created more opportunities for collaboration with industry partners interested in large-format 3D printing. The 3D printer is not just a tool for current projects but a key to future breakthroughs in optical research and industrial applications.

About the author:

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Natasha Mathew

Copywriter

Natasha Mathew enjoys trying new things and one of them she’s currently obsessed with is 3D printing. Her passion for explaining complex concepts in simple terms and her knack for storytelling led her to be a writer. In her 7 years of experience, she has covered just about any topic under the sun. When she’s not carefully weighing her words, she’s reading, crafting, spinning, and adventuring. And when asked about herself, she writes in the third person.

How 3D Printing is Paving the Way for Grading Contractor, C.J. Moyna & Sons

Natasha Mathew — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 08:33:51 +0000

The heavy civil construction sector (e.g. highway road construction, mass excavation) is literally heavy-handed when it comes to engineering and manufacturing new components. The bottleneck is that it takes an eternity with conventional methods to materialize these parts.

For Ryan Young, a project manager at C.J. Moyna & Sons, being on the lookout for disruptive technologies is a part of his everyday routine. When they set on a path to integrate additive manufacturing into their daily processes, the work became easier for C.J. Moyna & Sons and their sister companies.

Founded in the 1940s, C.J. Moyna & Sons is a family-run business that has shaped the landscape of Iowa for three generations ever since. The company specializes in civil earth moving, equipment manufacturing, and aggregate processing & mining and belongs to the premier grading contractors in the Midwest.

However, the pandemic presented the company with major challenges. With the global supply chain being disrupted, the company needed to find a way to meet its demand for components.

Especially, for the Earthmoving Legacy Center, where the owner John Moyna exhibits historical construction vehicles, it was impossible to find spare parts for antique caterpillars, tractors, and scrapers.

The Earthmoving Legacy Center is a 38000 square foot facility to showcase the rich history of earthmoving.

Young and his team found a compelling solution with additive manufacturing that became a game changer. When C.J. Moyna & Sons first tried out some hobby 3D printers, it became evident that an industrial large format printer with an open material system would be a better fit.

Ryan Young, a project manager with an exhibit at the C.J. Moyna & Sons legacy center.

For Ryan Young, the BigRep PRO checked all the boxes – the massive build volume, accuracy, reliability, and the entire 3D printer ecosystem the company offered sealed the deal.

UPGRADING OPERATIONS WITH THE BIGREP PRO

Massive Size

One cubic meter fully enclosed build chamber to produce full-scale, large parts e.g. prototypes, intricate patterns in large scale, and end-use parts.

Speed & Accuracy

CNC components made by Bosch which allow rapid and precise printing results.

Open Material Platform

Compatible with both BigRep filaments and third-party materials.

Automation Features

MXT Control System using algorithms and surface mapping for automated print bed and extruder calibration.

Patrick Palmersheim, System Administrator, uses the BigRep PRO to restore parts of the construction vehicles in the legacy center which are pretty much impossible to find anymore. Thus, the company’s heritage is being cared for and kept alive. Palmersheim also praised BigRep’s engineers who helped him solve smaller issues.

C.J. Moyna & Sons doesn’t strictly use the BigRep PRO for restoration. Ryan Young says that they use it for rapid prototyping which supports sister company Mobile Track Solutions, for manufacturing mock-ups, functional dash parts, and final parts.

For the R&D team, the PRO prints functional dash parts in a couple of days. E.g. with the injection molding process, it would have taken weeks or months.

“In 2 or 3 days you can have a large functional piece printed by the BigRep PRO – ready to rock and roll.”

Speaking about the filament, Ryan Young likes the fact that the BigRep PRO prints with materials from different brands which makes the industrial 3D printer versatile. His favorite filament is the PRO-HT – a biopolymer with reduced environmental impact which is easy to print, FDA compliant for food safety, and formulated for effortless breakaway support removal.

After the printing process, the rapid innovation manager says some post-processing is needed, but “a lot of time the parts are in a good shape when they come out the printer.”

Driving the Future

For Paul Palmersheim, it’s been a really great experience working with BigRep. And for Young? He says it’s had “a tremendous impact” on how they are manufacturing and looking towards the future of engineering. From his point of view, 3D printing will be growing and improving in the future. And his prediction: “I can see in another 10-15 years, 25-30% of parts are gonna be 3D printed.”

Want to learn how Industries are expediting Product Development with 3D Printing?

Reduce Cost and Lead Time with Industrial 3D Printing in Product Development.

Design Prototypes for Industrial Production

Prototyping design iterations is faster and easier as part of a seamless digital workflow
Get better-informed feedback regarding part fit, function, aesthetics, and more with full-scale prototypes
Accelerate time to market with 3D printed prototypes produced in a fraction of the time

Learn more

Production 3D Printer

Industrial Quality Meets Cost Efficiency.
Complex Parts in Large Scale.

The BigRep PRO is a 1 m³ powerhouse 3D printer, built to take you all the way from prototyping to production.

Key Features

Enclosed 1000 Liters Build Chamber: Large 1 cubic meter build volume for creating big, complex objects in a single print.
Dual Extrusion (Up to 280°C, 130 g/h): Multi-material printing capability with a dual-extrusion system, supporting high-temperature materials and a print rate of up to 130 grams per hour.
Removable Flexible Print Bed (Up to 100 °C): A heated bed with a flexible, magnetic, interchangeable surface that enhances print adhesion and minimizes warping.
Numerous Automation Features: Print bed and extruder calibration for quick, easy set up and optimal print quality.

Key Features

Enclosed 1000 Liters Build Chamber: Large 1 cubic meter build volume for creating big, complex objects in a single print.
Dual Extrusion (Up to 280°C, 130 g/h): Multi-material printing capability with a dual-extrusion system, supporting high-temperature materials and a print rate of up to 130 grams per hour.
Removable Flexible Print Bed (Up to 100 °C): A heated bed with a flexible, magnetic, interchangeable surface that enhances print adhesion and minimizes warping.
Numerous Automation Features: Print bed and extruder calibration for quick, easy set up and optimal print quality.

Explore the PRO

Industrial Quality Meets Cost Efficiency.
Complex Parts in Large Scale.

The BigRep PRO is a 1 m³ powerhouse 3D printer, built to take you all the way from prototyping to production.

Enclosed 1000 Liters Build Chamber: Large 1 cubic meter build volume for creating big, complex objects in a single print.
Dual Extrusion (Up to 280°C, 130 g/h): Multi-material printing capability with a dual-extrusion system, supporting high-temperature materials and a print rate of up to 130 grams per hour.
Removable Flexible Print Bed (Up to 100 °C): A heated bed with a flexible, magnetic, interchangeable surface that enhances print adhesion and minimizes warping.
Numerous Automation Features: Print bed and extruder calibration for quick, easy set up and optimal print quality.

Explore the PRO

About the author:

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Yücel Uzunoglu

Guest Author

3D Printed Dragon Brings in the Chinese New Year

Jason Tzintzun — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 16:52:41 +0000

In the heart of the art district in Tampa, Florida, Artistic Spaces is a design studio known for its avant-garde sculptures and large-scale installations. While the studio specializes in creative custom fabrications, some of its major projects faced significant challenges with scalability, materials and labor costs, complex geometries, and time constraints.

The owner of the studio, James Murray, recognized that to maintain their competitive edge and meet growing demands, he needed to upgrade their fabrication to more technologically advanced methods. His journey towards overcoming these obstacles began in December 2023 when he purchased the BigRep ONE 3D printer from a local reseller, ELK3D, a veteran-run partner specializing in advanced 3D printing solutions.

The Challenges Artistic Spaces Faced

James and his team had challenges with:

Scalability: Traditional methods couldn't easily scale to larger projects.
Cost: The expenses involved in traditional sculpting materials and labor were skyrocketing.
Time: The time required to produce large art pieces hindered their ability to take on more projects and meet client deadlines.
Geometric Complexity: Traditional manufacturing methods were too labor-intensive and produced lower-quality results for intricate geometries.

BigRep's Solution

Artistic Spaces was introduced to BigRep’s catalog of large-scale industrial 3D printers, specifically the BigRep ONE, by ELK3D. James Murray from Artistic Spaces said,

“This was our first experience working with a large-scale 3D printer, and the entire process exceeded our expectations. Once we had the model in the slicer, it was easy to write the code and watch it print.”

Artistic Spaces ordered the BigRep ONE with ELK3D in mid-December, and it was delivered on the 28th, a couple of weeks later. BigRep printers are manufactured in Germany and have a facility in Boston, Massachusetts. Thanks to meticulous planning, efficient logistics, and the ability to maintain stocked inventory in the USA, ensuring (JIT) just-in-time delivery, ELK3D, and BigRep delivered the machine to Artistic Spaces in Tampa within a few weeks.

The BigRep ONE offered:

Massive Build Volume: Can produce pieces up to one cubic meter or 31 cubic feet, perfect for large installations.
Cost Efficiency: The open material system, flexible scale and design capabilities, and automated production reduced costs significantly.
Speed: Drastically cut down delivery time through automated production and fewer failed prints allowing Artistic Spaces to take on more projects and deliver them quicker.
Geometric Precision: Enabled the creation of complex geometries with high precision and quality.
Reliability: Ensured consistent performance and high-quality output, minimizing downtime and enhancing productivity

ELK3D's technical leader, Taylor Hardy, was on-site to oversee the delivery and installation of the printer. The team efficiently unboxed, assembled, and calibrated the BigRep ONE in less than two days. As part of the ELK3D’s Assurance program, Taylor ensured the Artistic Spaces team received thorough training, and was well equipped to operate the printer confidently.

James Murray from Artistic Spaces said,

“The BigRep ONE ran nonstop for three days without any issues. Thanks to ELK3D's onsite training, our team confidently use the machine, we simply hit the start button and get on with our tasks while the machine takes care of the part.”

This Assurance Program and rapid setup included:

Detailed Guidance: Taylor provided step-by-step instructions for every function of the BigRep ONE, covering everything from basic operations to advanced settings. This included practical demos of how to use the machine efficiently, along with best practices to ensure longevity and consistent performance.
Test Prints: Taylor facilitated initial test prints to verify the machine's calibration and optimize printing These test prints were essential in fine-tuning the printer's settings, ensuring that the output was of the highest quality and that the machine was running at peak efficiency.
Comprehensive Training: Taylor and the ELK3D technical team conducted in-depth training sessions with James, the lead artist at Artistic Spaces which included flow rate calibrations tailored to different materials, enabling him to adjust the printer settings for different filaments. Taylor also covered troubleshooting techniques and routine maintenance procedures to ensure long-term performance and minimize downtime.

Over the next few days, the team printed several sample pieces to understand the machine's capabilities. One of the first large-scale projects was a dragon sculpture for the Chinese New Year celebration at the Hard Rock Hotel in Tampa.

Chinese New Year and the Dragon Project

Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, is China’s most important traditional celebration, marking the start of the lunar new year. For the occasion, Artistic Spaces was commissioned to create a dragon sculpture for the Hard Rock Hotel in Tampa. Despite initial challenges with print settings, the team, with support from BigRep's engineers, successfully printed the dragon's head in 3 ½ days.

The large-scale 3D printed dragon head was executed by the BigRep ONE.

The combination of 3D printed precision and hand-carved craftsmanship resulted in stunning dragon sculptures in a large and smaller scale that seamlessly blended tradition with technology.

The smaller scale dragon 3D printed by the BigRep ONE.

Technical Training for the Dragon Sculpture’s Execution

ELK3D Assurance Program included:

Project Consultation: In-depth discussions on project requirements and strategic advice on dividing the dragon project into manageable parts.
Technique Exploration: Methods for merging printed parts seamlessly post-production and applying specialized coatings to enhance durability and aesthetics.
Printing Setup and Support: Collaboration on slicing the dragon model file, ensuring precise settings for dual-material printing, and providing real-time assistance through screen-sharing sessions.
Material Selection and Configuration: Recommendations for PLX as the model material and PRO HT for breakaway supports, optimizing print quality, ease of post-processing, and structural integrity.

Taylor Hardy from ELK3D said,

“We partnered with BigRep because of their reliability, quality, advanced technology, and the dedicated team behind it. This collaborative environment enabled us to achieve success with Artistic Spaces, James, and his team.”

The Transformation

Within 20 days of installation, Artistic Spaces had monetized their investment by successfully completing the dragon sculpture project. They were now able to:

Expand Creativity: The freedom to experiment with new designs and scales without worrying about the constraints of traditional methods.
Increase Productivity: With reduced production times, they could take on more projects and increase their revenue.
Enhance Quality: The precision of the BigRep ONE ensured that every piece of art printed met the highest standards of quality.

The Results

Revenue Growth: In 2024, Artistic Spaces experienced an increase in revenue within the first year of using the BigRep ONE with customers asking for new concepts. New projects were rolling in, allowing them to capitalize on their new capabilities.
Project Capacity: They are able to take on more projects, thanks to the reduced production time.
Cost Savings: Material and labor costs were cut by 30%, significantly improving their profit margins.

Limitless Creativity

Given the tight timeframes and budgets, the BigRep ONE was able to accommodate large-scale projects quickly and deliver results faster than traditional methods. The digitized fabrication process opened doors to a much wider spectrum of possibilities, unlocking new dimensions of creativity and business success.

Professional 3D Printer

Large-Scale Innovation. Limitless Creativity.

The BigRep ONE is an award-winning, large-format 3D printer at an accessible price point. It's the trusted tool of designers, innovators, and manufacturers alike.

Key Features

Open 1000 Liters Build Chamber: Large 1 cubic meter build volume for creating big, complex objects in a single print.
Dual Extrusion (Up to 250°C, 72 g/h): Multi-material printing capability with a dual-extrusion system, supporting a wide range of materials and a print rate of up to 72 grams per hour.
Heated Print Bed (Up to 80 °C): A heated bed with a polyimide surface that enhances print adhesion for a range of materials and minimizes warping.
Fine Detail or Fastest Printing: Layer heights from 0.3 to 1.0 mm let you achieve fine detail on large prints or extra fast prints when surface texture is less important.

Key Features

Open 1000 Liters Build Chamber: Large 1 cubic meter build volume for creating big, complex objects in a single print.
Dual Extrusion (Up to 250°C, 72 g/h): Multi-material printing capability with a dual-extrusion system, supporting a wide range of materials and a print rate of up to 72 grams per hour.
Heated Print Bed (Up to 80 °C): A heated bed with a polyimide surface that enhances print adhesion for a range of materials and minimizes warping.
Fine Detail or Fastest Printing: Layer heights from 0.3 to 1.0 mm let you achieve fine detail on large prints or extra fast prints when surface texture is less important.

Explore the ONE

Large-Scale Innovation. Limitless Creativity.

The BigRep ONE is an award-winning, large-format 3D printer at an accessible price point. It's the trusted tool of designers, innovators, and manufacturers alike.

Open 1000 Liters Build Chamber: Large 1 cubic meter build volume for creating big, complex objects in a single print.
Dual Extrusion (Up to 250°C, 72 g/h): Multi-material printing capability with a dual-extrusion system, supporting a wide range of materials and a print rate of up to 72 grams per hour.
Heated Print Bed (Up to 80 °C): A heated bed with a polyimide surface that enhances print adhesion for a range of materials and minimizes warping.
Fine Detail or Fastest Printing: Layer heights from 0.3 to 1.0 mm let you achieve fine detail on large prints or extra fast prints when surface texture is less important.

Explore the ONE

About the author:

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Michelle Green

Guest Author

Michelle Green is an accomplished Director of Business Development at ELK 3D with extensive experience driving growth through strategic partnerships, innovative solutions, and collaborative ecosystems in the technology space. With a background in 3D printing and additive manufacturing, she has earned recognition as an industry expert and speaker. Her vision is to build ecosystems where technology, talent, and partnerships thrive. She is passionate about aligning cutting-edge technology with business success and shaping the future of manufacturing through meaningful collaborations.

About the author:

" />

Jason Tzintzun

Marketing Manager

Jason is a seasoned marketing professional with over five years of experience in additive manufacturing. With a degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University, he never anticipated his career would lead him to 3D printing, but he has discovered a true passion for educating others on its profound impact. Currently serving as the Head of Marketing for North America at BigRep, Jason brings a deep understanding of 3D printing technology and its role in modern manufacturing. When not crafting marketing campaigns, he enjoys long-distance running along the Southern California coast he calls home, and, of course, 3D printing.

Open Material 3D Printers: Unlimited Applications with Low to High Temperature Plastics

Natasha Mathew — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 13:20:17 +0000

Open 3D print material systems offer manufacturers freedom to choose any compatible filament that hits the market but closed material systems deliver predictable results. This raises the BIG question: Are open material systems truly open for innovation?

3D printing promises unparalleled freedom of production. Open material systems multiply that freedom tenfold.

The FFF continues to swell with an ever-growing range of 3D print filaments, and manufacturing sectors are wasting no time in discovering new applications with their 3D printers. For example, medical technology and the defense industry are increasingly seeing the use of Conductive Polymers such as PEDOT (Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) in applications like organic electronics, sensors, and energy storage devices.

However, not all 3D printers support any compatible materials. There are two types of materials systems: open and closed. 3D printers with closed material systems allow you to print with specified proprietary materials whereas with open material systems, you can use any compatible filament.

If open material systems sound more open to innovation, what keeps industries within the walls of closed 3D material systems?

Open vs Closed 3D Print Material Systems

With an open material system, you can experiment with different materials, create and edit print profiles (the print temperature, print speed, layer height, etc., in the 3D printer’s slicer software) to bring out desired properties and source them from different suppliers, which opens a world of possibilities.

On the other hand, closed material systems keep printing simple and consistent by limiting you to proprietary materials specified by your 3D printer manufacturer and locked print profiles. This can ensure reliability and consistency but might come with a hefty price tag (expensive proprietary materials, cost to unlock new print profiles etc.,) and limit innovation with other materials. While closed systems offer ease of use and predictability, open systems are all about flexibility.

Advantages of an Open Materials System

Flexibility and Freedom

Choice: You have access to a broad range of materials which allows you to select the perfect material based on the functionality and aesthetics you are looking for.

Customization: You can tailor material profiles of any compatible filament ensuring your 3D printer delivers successful prints and brings out desired properties.

Lower Material Costs: You can choose from different suppliers without being locked into expensive proprietary filament.

Budget Flexibility: With affordable access to a wide range of materials, you can go big or small on the budget.

Cost Efficiency

Innovation and Experimentation

Encourages Exploration: The freedom to experiment with new and advanced materials drives innovation in applications.

Facilitates R&D: Open systems support continuous product development with materials that fit specifications.

Diverse Sourcing: You can source materials from different suppliers, which reduces supply chain bottlenecks.

Enhanced Reliability: An open system makes it easier to maintain a steady flow of materials, reducing the risk of production downtime.

Supply Chain Benefits

Enhanced Performance

Optimized Material Profiles: Profiles can be tailored to bring out the best properties of any compatible material, whether it’s strength, flexibility, or heat resistance.

Adaptability: There is no restriction on a single set of materials which allows for the smooth and efficient scaling of your business as it grows and evolves.

Scalability

Choosing the Right 3D Print Material

With the plethora of materials available, which one would be the best fit for your part? The right filament depends on your project requirements. Are you looking for ease of use and biodegradability? PLA might be your best bet. Need something tougher with higher temperature resistance? Consider ABS or Polycarbonate. For extreme performance, PEEK could be the answer.

By understanding the properties and printing requirements of these materials, you can make informed decisions and achieve the best results for your 3D printing projects. Whether you're prototyping, producing functional parts, or exploring new applications, there's a 3D printing plastic that fits your needs.

Exploring Low to High-Temperature 3D Print Plastics

One of the key considerations while choosing a plastic is the temperature range of the material and your 3D printer’s technical capabilities. From low to high-temperature filaments, each type has its own strengths and applications.

Standard & Bio-Based Plastic Filaments

PLA (Polylactic Acid): One of the most user-friendly and commonly used filaments, PLA is biodegradable and perfect for beginners. It prints at relatively low temperatures (around 190-230°C) and is great for prototypes, educational models, art installations, and interior decor.

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol): A step up from PLA, PETG offers better durability while still being easy to print with. It typically prints at around 220-250°C and is well-suited for functional parts that need impact resistance to a certain degree.

Engineering-Grade Plastic Filaments

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): Known for its excellent strength, ABS is a popular choice for more demanding applications. It requires a heated print bed and prints at around 220-250°C. It is ideal for parts that need to withstand higher temperatures and mechanical stress.

ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate): ASA is the weatherproof version of ABS. It prints at similar temperatures to ABS (230-270°C) but offers better UV resistance, making it perfect for automotive and parts exposed to outdoor elements.

High-Performance Plastic Filaments

Polyamide (PA): Highly durable and wear-resistant, Polyamide, also known as Nylon, is a bit trickier to print because of its tendency to absorb moisture. It prints between 240-300°C and is excellent for gears, bearings, and other high-stress components.

Polycarbonate (PC): Tough and transparent, Polycarbonate is one of the strongest 3D printing materials available. It prints at around 260-310°C and is great for applications that need high-impact resistance and clarity.

PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone): At the top end of the temperature spectrum, PEEK is a high-performance plastic used in aerospace, medical, and industrial applications. It requires very high printing temperatures (around 350-450°C) and offers exceptional mechanical and chemical resistance.

Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Filaments

PA12 CF (Polyamide 12 Carbon Fiber): Durable and with great surface quality, PA12 CF is suitable for many industrial parts with daily usage under long-term stress. Its high strength-to-weight ratio makes PA12 CF a perfect solution for lightweight end-use parts.

PC CF (Polycarbonate Carbon Fiber): Its impact and heat resistance make PC CF an ideal choice for industries such as electronics, automotive, and aerospace. The addition of carbon fibers provides additional strength and toughness.

Validated BigRep Filaments Compatible with All BigRep Machines

The heart of all BigRep machines is the material system that’s open for innovation. You can print with any compatible filament of your choice – BigRep’s or a 3^rd party’s – and unlock new applications with our low to high-temperature machines.

We also have a portfolio of industrial-grade 3D printer filaments ranging from affordable, general-use materials to technical materials for demanding industrial applications. Each filament is rigorously tested to ensure reliable and even extrusion so have successful prints every time.

Our filaments are specifically designed for large-format 3D printing, helping you bring your big ideas to life.

Our Catalogue of Verified Filaments

PA12 CF: Stiff and strong for industrial parts
HI-TEMP CF: High-temperature carbon fiber
ASA: UV-resistant and high-strength
ABS: Versatile and impact-resistant
PLX: Cost-effective and reliable
BVOH: Water-soluble support for dual extrusion
HI-TEMP: Stiff and eco-friendly
PA6/66: Lightweight and resistant
PRO HT: Easy printing and support removal
PETG: Durable and impact-resistant
PLA: Affordable and versatile
TPU 98A: Flexible and chemically resistant

BigRep BLADE: Custom Material Print Profiles Made Easy

As part of BigRep’s commitment to a lifetime partnership with our customers, we develop material profiles to ensure best printing quality so your prints come out right the first time, no matter your level of 3D printing experience.

Our slicing software, BLADE, offers a variety of pre-configured profiles for all BigRep materials. These profiles optimize the printing process, saving you valuable time and money by achieving faster print times, reducing material usage, creating lighter parts, and improving the aesthetics of your prints.

Have third-party materials you want to print on your BigRep machine? No problem. With BLADE, you can fully customize the printing parameters to perfect your parts. The intuitive interface makes it easy to create custom profiles and fine-tune print settings such as layer thickness, extrusion and build chamber temperature, and print speed to meet your material and application requirements.

The Best of Both Worlds

When you opt for an open material system, you may not get custom printing profiles or materials that are developed for and tested on that specific 3D printer. With BigRep, you can reap the benefits of both worlds. We combine closed systems' reliability and consistency of our propriety materials and profiles with open systems' flexibility, competitive pricing, and broad material choice. This dual approach ensures businesses achieve maximum performance and best price-to-performance ratio, while maintaining the freedom to experiment and innovate.

Want to learn more about open material choice for 3D printing solutions?

Learn why all BigRep 3D printers are open material systems, meaning you are free to use any compatible material, whether its BigRep or otherwise. Gain insights about 3D printing materials across the temperature spectrum, from standard low-temperature polymers to high-temperature and high-performance materials.

FROM LOW TO HIGH TEMP FILAMENTS: HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT MATERIAL FOR ANY APPLICATION

About the author:

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Natasha Mathew

Copywriter

BigRep Celebrates Successful Listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange

Natasha Mathew — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 13:03:10 +0000

BigRep SE marked its entry into the public stock market with the IPO ceremony at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Frankfurt, 31. Juli 2024 – In the bustling financial district of Frankfurt, we, BigRep SE, opened the trading day with a bell-ringing ceremony at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. This marks our official entry into the public stock market with shares now trading under the ticker B1GR.

Getting to this point of the journey was paved by our strategic business combination with SMG Technology Acceleration SE, facilitated by our IPO sponsor, SMG Holding. Known for its focus on European SMEs, SMG Holding played a key role in listing BigRep on the public market. SMG Technology Acceleration SE has been renamed BigRep SE, with Dr. Sven Thate and Dr. Reinhard Festag stepping in as CEO and CFO, respectively.

The Iconic Bell Ringing Ceremony

The bell-ringing ceremony, a time-honored tradition in the financial world, took place in the main trading hall of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The event was attended by board members, investors, BigRep team members, and a host of financial analysts and media representatives as we debuted on one of the world’s leading stock exchanges.

The day began with a photo session at the stock exchange square by the legendary Bull and Bear statues followed by Dr.-Ing. Sven Thate’s speech on the stock exchange floor. This was followed by the bell-ringing ceremony that signaled the start of trading with media and journalists in attendance documenting the event.

Dr.‐Ing. Sven Thate, CEO of BigRep said in his speech,

“Going public allows us to think bigger and pursue our buy-and-build strategy. We see great growth and synergy opportunities by expanding inorganically. The current market conditions will only increase consolidation pressure, giving us a chance to use our public listing to benefit our shareholders.”

As a nod to our accomplishments, NERA, the world’s first 3D-printed E-Motorcycle was on display along with other 3D prints designed to commemorate the occasion. The event also featured our newly launched 3D printer - VIIO 250 - our most automated 3D printer yet.

The BigRep NERA, the world’s first 3D-printed E-Motorcycle.

BigRep VIIO 250 on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange trading floor.

The Significance of the Ceremony

Listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange provides us with more visibility and access to a broad base of international shareholders, fueling our ambitious expansion plans of innovating with new technologies and advancing our Additive Manufacturing product offerings.

BigRep's bell ringing ceremony at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange trading floor.

The Frankfurt Stock Exchange, known for its stringent listing requirements and robust regulatory framework, provides a platform that ensures transparency, investor protection, and efficient trading, aligning us with the highest standards of corporate governance.

From Inception to the BIG Public Listing

Founded in 2014, BigRep is an industry leader in large-format FFF 3D printers which includes the whole spectrum of low to high-temperature machines engineered in Germany and Austria. Our offerings include verified 3D print materials, intuitive software, an e-learning platform, application engineering, superior customer service, and comprehensive training to set our customers up for success with every 3D print.

We launched 3 large-scale machines this year - 2 high-temperature 3D printers from the HAGE3D acquisition – the ALTRA 280 and IPSO 105, and our most automated 3D printer yet, the VIIO 250. Today our clientele spans from industry giants like Ford, Deutsche Bahn, Canyon, and Airbus, to educational institutions, research institutes, and start-ups

A BIGger and Brighter Future Ahead

The bell-ringing ceremony at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange is the beginning of a new chapter for us at BigRep. As we embrace the new opportunities of being a publicly traded company, we continue to dream BIG, innovate BIGger, and look forward to achieving the BIGgest milestones for our team members, customers, investors, and shareholders.

For more information, visit https://bigrep.com/investor-relations-auth/

About the author:

" />

Natasha Mathew

Copywriter

The BigRep IPSO 105 Futureproofs Outdoor Fiber Cabinets

Natasha Mathew — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 13:15:27 +0000

Sichert, a 100-year-old Berlin-based company, integrates smart multi-tasking features into their fiber connection cabinets with the high-temp, large-volume 3D printer, the IPSO 105.

FTTH (Fiber To The Home), the future of high-speed internet in every household and company, is basically the connection where the fiber cable goes all the way to the user instead of ending at an anonymous cabinet down the street. 

These outdoor cabinets (FCC), although unassuming, are a critical component in present-day telecommunication. They are designed to take on the rigors of the harshest weather conditions while ensuring seamless IT infrastructure by housing servers, networking equipment, and other essential hardware. They are equal parts of form, fit, and function while blending in with the spaces in which they are installed. 

Sichert, a 100-year-old Berlin-based company, is an industry leader in producing outdoor cabinets, access chambers for fiber optic, and copper cable distribution. With innovation at the core of their offerings, 3D printing has been an integral part of their workflow for decades. While the company relied on desktop 3D printers and outsourced print projects, as their needs got bigger, they sought to invest in an in-house solution to innovate with sizable high-performance parts.

Sichert added a new player to its FFF 3D printing capabilities - the BigRep IPSO 105 - a high-temperature 3D printer, for rapid prototyping and future-proofing their products. With the 3D printer, they design cabinets that visually match their surroundings, upgrade the aesthetics, and integrate thoughtful multi-tasking features that offer smart city solutions. 

What are Fiber Connection Cabinets (FCC)?

Fiber Connection Cabinets (FCC) are specialized industrial cabinets used in telecommunications to manage and distribute fiber optic cables that extend directly to households, providing high-speed internet and data services. Their core function is to also protect cables from environmental and physical damage, facilitate splicing and termination, and ensure easy access for maintenance.

Traditionally made using expensive injection molding, parts of FCCs are now increasingly produced with 3D printing technology, allowing for rapid prototyping, cost efficiency, and greater design flexibility. This supports the growing demand for reliable and scalable fiber optic connections, essential for connecting households and businesses to the gigabit age. 

Challenges with Traditional Manufacturing

1. High Cost of Prototyping
Injection molding needs expensive molds which results in high-cost prototyping

2. Design Limitations
Metal and mold designs restrict the freedom to experiment with cutting-edge designs and structures.

3. Material Constraints
Limited range of materials that can be used, especially when it comes to high-temperature and environmentally resistant applications.

Thorsten Drochner, Director of R&D said,

“One of the biggest challenges in developing new street cabinets is that prototypes are really expensive because of injection molding. This is where the IPSO 105 brings in the advantages - prototyping, rapid prototyping, or even small iterations. It's very fast, simple and cost-effective.”

Benefits of a Large-Scale High-Temp 3D Printer

Sichert initially used desktop 3D printers to explore the potential of additive manufacturing by printing parts of outdoor cabinets. Encouraged by flexibility and cost savings, they upgraded to the IPSO 105, BigRep’s large-format high-performance 3D printer.

SCALING UP WITH THE HIGH-PERFORMANCE BIGREP IPSO 105

Large-Scale Innovation

The generous build volume of 400 mm x 600 mm x 440 ensures Sichert’s design freedom to experiment with complex structures in full-scale.

High-Temperature Applications

With the build chamber heating to 100°C, the print bed reaching 180°C, & the extruder capability of 450°C,Sichert can print high-performance parts.

Open Material Platform

Capable of printing with virtually any compatible material, especially environmentally resistant filaments, is a game-changer for Sichert's R&D team.

High Cost and Time Savings

The 3D printer, IPSO 105, reduced prototyping costs and accelerated the product development cycle with quick turnaround print time. 

Sichert’s Applications with the IPSO 105

1. Product Development

a. Smart Bench
Sichert designed an aesthetically pleasing outdoor fiber-cabinet bench with future cities in mind. It is fitted with a solar panel at the back, a phone charger to the side, and a fiber distribution cabinet within the bench. The 3D-printed parts were post-processed to give it a natural wood finish so it blends into environments where grey cabinets might stand out.

Sichert's Smart Bench outdoor fiber cabinet printed by the high-temperature industrial 3D printer - BigRep IPSO 105

b. Smart Tower
Sichert’s Smart Tower was built to house 5G small cell (a small wireless device that boosts mobile network coverage and speed in busy areas), with the side panels 3D printed for flexibility in shape and design. Built to be installed in public places, it can also double as an information point in spaces such as bus or tram stops.

The Smart Tower's side panels were 3D printed by the IPSO 105.

2. Rapid Prototyping and Design Testing

Rapid prototyping is one of the areas in which Sichert uses the 3D printer extensively, especially for all their new products, FCC cabinet series, and predominantly for their out-of-the-box designs. Prototypes of PCBs (printed circuit board) and cabinet parts are often printed and tested for tolerance, design fit checks, and stability. The printer’s capability to handle large parts without the need to cut and reassemble them ensures structural integrity and saves time.

3. Material Testing and Validation

The IPSO 105’s open material system which allows for printing with any compatible 3D print filament enabled Sichert to test a range of 3D print materials like BigRep’s environmentally resistant ASA, high-strength Polyamide with carbon fibers, and the durable Polycarbonate filament. This ensured the final part met all environmental and operational requirements.

“The IPSO 105 gives us the freedom to choose any material range from low to advanced materials like PEEK which we use in high-temperature use cases. We used to face challenges in picking the right materials which meet specific needs and with this 3D printer, we can explore our options.”

4. Trade Fair Samples

Sichert often takes part in trade shows and showcasing high-quality, visually appealing prototypes are an integral part of keeping the industry updated with their latest offerings. These 3D-printed parts are post-processed with varnish or undergo structural reinforcing treatments to give potential customers a realistic idea of what the final product would look and feel like.

Future-Proofing Outdoor Cabinets

The freedom to print in true scale, unlimited choice of material, high to low-temperature capabilities, and cost and time efficiency delivered by the 3D printer have enabled Sichert to expand the functionality and experiment with the design of their fiber cabinets.

With the IPSO 105, Sichert not only weatherproofs but also future proofs their outdoor cabinets by making them smarter and ahead of their time.

Want to learn how Industries are expediting Product Development with 3D Printing?

Reduce Cost and Lead Time with Industrial 3D Printing in Product Development.

Design Prototypes for Industrial Production

Prototyping design iterations is faster and easier as part of a seamless digital workflow
Get better-informed feedback regarding part fit, function, aesthetics, and more with full-scale prototypes
Accelerate time to market with 3D printed prototypes produced in a fraction of the time

Learn more

Production 3D Printer

Maximum Performance. Unbeatable Price.

The IPSO 105 boasts an unbeatable price-to-performance ratio. It's an industry all-rounder and high-temperature machine to reliably produce high-performance parts.

Key Features

Enclosed 105 Liters Build Chamber (Heated Up to 100 °C): Enclosed build chamber is heated up to 100 °C with highly uniform heat distribution delivering large, accurate 3D prints.
Dual Extrusion (Up to 450°C, 150 g/h): Multi-material printing capability with a dual-extrusion system, supporting high-performance materials and a print rate of up to 150 grams per hour.
Multi-Surface Print Bed (Heated up to 180 °C): An evenly-heated bed with two surfaces: a specialized tempered glass or flexible steel plate with a magnetic foil and PEI coating for easy print removal.
Numerous Automation Features: Automated print bed and extruder calibration for quick, easy set up and optimal print quality, plus Relay Mode for continuous printing on 2 extruders.

Key Features

Enclosed 105 Liters Build Chamber (Heated Up to 100 °C): Enclosed build chamber is heated up to 100 °C with highly uniform heat distribution delivering large, accurate 3D prints.
Dual Extrusion (Up to 450°C, 150 g/h): Multi-material printing capability with a dual-extrusion system, supporting high-performance materials and a print rate of up to 150 grams per hour.
Multi-Surface Print Bed (Heated up to 180 °C): An evenly-heated bed with two surfaces: a specialized tempered glass or flexible steel plate with a magnetic foil and PEI coating for easy print removal.
Numerous Automation Features: Automated print bed and extruder calibration for quick, easy set up and optimal print quality, plus Relay Mode for continuous printing on 2 extruders.

Explore the IPSO 105

Maximum Performance. Unbeatable Price.

The IPSO 105 boasts an unbeatable price-to-performance ratio. It's an industry all-rounder and high-temperature machine to reliably produce high-performance parts.

Enclosed 105 Liters Build Chamber (Heated Up to 100 °C): Enclosed build chamber is heated up to 100 °C with highly uniform heat distribution delivering large, accurate 3D prints.
Dual Extrusion (Up to 450°C, 150 g/h): Multi-material printing capability with a dual-extrusion system, supporting high-performance materials and a print rate of up to 150 grams per hour.
Multi-Surface Print Bed (Heated up to 180 °C): An evenly-heated bed with two surfaces: a specialized tempered glass or flexible steel plate with a magnetic foil and PEI coating for easy print removal.
Numerous Automation Features: Automated print bed and extruder calibration for quick, easy set up and optimal print quality, plus Relay Mode for continuous printing on 2 extruders.

Explore the IPSO 105

About the author:

" />

Natasha Mathew

Copywriter

BLADE 3.12.3 Released!

Hossein Shamloo — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 14:28:46 +0000

New material profiles

ONE.3 with PEX CU 0.6 mm
- HI-TEMP
- PETG
- PLA
- PLX
- PRO HT
- HI-TEMP CF
- TPU
ONE.3 with PEX CU 1.0 mm
- HI-TEMP
- PETG
- PLA
- PLX
- PRO HT
- HI-TEMP CF
- TPU
ONE.4 with PEX CU 0.6 mm
- HI-TEMP
- PETG
- PLA
- PLX
- PRO HT
- HI-TEMP CF
- TPU
ONE.4 with PEX CU 1.0 mm
- HI-TEMP
- PETG
- PLA
- PLX
- PRO HT
- HI-TEMP CF
- TPU
ONE.4 with PEX CU 2.0 mm
- PLA

Improved material profiles

PRO.1 with ACE 1.0 mm
- ASA
PRO.2 with ACE 0.6 mm
- PLA
PRO.2 with ACE 1.0 mm
- ASA

Software Changes

Only materials compatible with the current extruder are shown
Differentiation between SWITCHPLATE Prime and SWITCHPLATE Select

Download Installer Download Source Code

BLADE 5.5.2 (Beta)

Hossein Shamloo — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 14:06:14 +0000

Dedicated BLADE version for BigRep VIIO 250.

Download Installer Download Source Code

BigRep Industrial 3D Printers

BLADE 5.9.3

Rapid Tooling with 3D Printers: A Step by Step Guide

What is Rapid Production Tooling?

What are the benefits of Using 3D Printing for Production Tooling?

3D printing is faster

3D printing is economical

3D printing has premium quality

3D printing is flexible

3D printing is within reach

Which 3D Printing Materials and Methods work well for Tooling?

MATERIAL

METHOD

Plastics

METALS

COMPOSITES

Which Types of Tooling benefit from 3D Printing?

TOOLING

USAGE

WHY 3D PRINTING

From Printer to Racetrack – A Practical Example

What are the Considerations and Limitations of 3D Printing for Tooling?

A Game Changer in Manufacturing

About the author:

Yücel Uzunoglu

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UPGRADING OPERATIONS WITH THE BIGREP PRO

Massive Size

Speed & Accuracy

Open Material Platform

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Driving the Future

Want to learn how Industries are expediting Product Development with 3D Printing?

Industrial Quality Meets Cost Efficiency. Complex Parts in Large Scale.

Industrial Quality Meets Cost Efficiency. Complex Parts in Large Scale.

About the author:

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3D Printed Dragon Brings in the Chinese New Year

The Challenges Artistic Spaces Faced

BigRep's Solution

“This was our first experience working with a large-scale 3D printer, and the entire process exceeded our expectations. Once we had the model in the slicer, it was easy to write the code and watch it print.”

“The BigRep ONE ran nonstop for three days without any issues. Thanks to ELK3D's onsite training, our team confidently use the machine, we simply hit the start button and get on with our tasks while the machine takes care of the part.”

Chinese New Year and the Dragon Project

“We partnered with BigRep because of their reliability, quality, advanced technology, and the dedicated team behind it. This collaborative environment enabled us to achieve success with Artistic Spaces, James, and his team.”

The Transformation

The Results

Limitless Creativity

Large-Scale Innovation. Limitless Creativity.

Large-Scale Innovation. Limitless Creativity.

About the author:

Michelle Green

About the author:

Jason Tzintzun

Open Material 3D Printers: Unlimited Applications with Low to High Temperature Plastics

Open vs Closed 3D Print Material Systems

Advantages of an Open Materials System

Flexibility and Freedom

Industrial Quality Meets Cost Efficiency.
Complex Parts in Large Scale.

Industrial Quality Meets Cost Efficiency.
Complex Parts in Large Scale.