What is 3D Printing?
3D Printing is also known as Additive Manufacturing or Rapid Prototyping is a process of adding material layer by layer to create a Physical object from a given 3D CAD model.
What is FDM/FFF?
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) or Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is an Additive Manufacturing process where the Thermoplastic material is melted and deposited layer by layer to create a Physical object from a given 3D CAD model.
Significance:
- FFF Process is affordable and easy to use.
- Material availability is Abundant with wide areas of applications.
- 3D Printed Parts are Strong, Durable and Dimensionally Stable with Good Precision.
What is IDEX (Independent Dual Extrusion System)?
IDEX: Independent Dual Extrusion System is a Unique Architecture 3D Printer with two Individual Extruders (or) Hot-ends that can move independently along X-axis.
In IDEX 3D Printing one can produce multiple prints* at a time by deposition of molten Thermoplastic material layer by layer to build a physical object from the given 3D CAD model.
This technology offers the possibilities to unleash its potential in a wide area of applications that fits perfectly on a desktop which can match every one unique needs in day-to-day life.
Why choose IDEX?
Why go for Single? When you can Dual??
Wanna Double the Performance – Productivity – Possibility??
Same space – Same Investment !?
Double the Productivity, Halve the Lead time !?
Get One: With the Power of Two!!
One IDEX = 2X Conventional (3D Printers)!!*
Features
- It can print Dual material or Dual colored objects at a time.
- It can print Two Similar (Duplicate) or Symmetric (Mirror) objects on the go.
- It can print Single, Auto or Dual mode prints in a Single start.
Architecture
Independent Dual Extrusion System is an advanced level of (FDM/FFF) 3D printing technique that allows two print heads to move independently from each other. Each head has its own hot end (or) extruder head and can print with the same (or) different materials.
With its two independent extruders which is equipped with two hot ends mounted on the X-carriage, one can achieve two individual X movements and are capable of producing two prints at a single point of time.
Two extruders accompany each other creating Multi-color & Multi-material modes including soluble support material. This opens up the complex designs to be printed beyond what a Single Head Extrusion 3D Printer can provide in a smooth workflow.
Benefits of IDEX
– Double the Productivity (2X times)
– Reduce the Lead time by half
– Optimize your Workflow & Scale-up the yield of Production
– Increase the ease of use in Multi-Material mode. (Main Core material + Support Dissolvable Material)
– Unlock the potential capabilities of this Architecture with Unique & Innovative modes such as Dual, Duplicate and Mirror.
Print Modes
- Auto or Stand-alone Mode
- Duplication or Twin Mode
- Mirror or Symmetric Mode
- Dual Print mode:
a. Dual-Color Mode
b. Dual-Material Mode
Auto or Stand-alone Mode:
Slice for any model and get the print done with hassle free workflow in at least one of the active tool head easily which lowers the risk of print failure.
Auto or Stand-alone mode can allow you to choose with the any of the extruder for your prints with the required material and color, even in the case of breakdown of other extruder.
Duplication or Twin Mode:
Combining IDEX with Duplication or Mirror mode effectively will in-turn doubles the Productivity and cuts down the lead time by half of 3D printing, making this technology the most cost-effective and the fastest solution for low-volume batch production.
With Duplication mode one can achieve Duplicates of the model allowing the extruder head to copy and Multiply the master model which is sliced for one extruder head, then the other head mimics the movements and slicing parameters of main extruder in parallel to sync and build a copy of the other model enabling 2X Productivity.
In Duplication mode the 3D Printer prints the object and a copy of the object at the same time.
Mirror or Symmetric Mode:
With Mirror mode one can achieve Symmetries of the model allowing the extruder head to copy and Mirror the master model which is sliced for one extruder head, then the other head mimics the movements and slicing parameters of main extruder in parallel to sync and create a Symmetry of the other model enabling 2X efficiency.
In Mirror mode the 3D Printer prints the object and a mirror of the object at the same time.
For both Mirror mode and Duplicate mode, both extruders print one object each. Both processes lead to faster and more efficient production.
Dual Print mode:
3D Printing is a reality and is getting closer to becoming a practical tool in everyday life. To satisfy this demand our goal is to offer as many material options for our 3DP lovers such as PLA, PVA, ABS, HIPS, PETG, TPU/TPE, Carbon fiber, Nylon etc.., and lot more coming on the lineup.
a. Dual-Color Mode
In order to get over the neck with the competitors in showcasing the products (or) Presentation of prototypes with vibrant colors and huge variety of shades, one can choose multi color mode which can enable the user to print the models in different colors which can attract (or) grab the attention.
b. Dual-Material Mode
As a double extrusion system, this allows users to print more complex prototypes by using hydro-soluble supports and to combine core materials to obtain different mechanical properties in one single print.
IDEX offers the possibility of the innovative independent dual extrusion, with the concentrated size that fits perfectly into any print farm or industry factory. It is ready to 3D print with multiple materials at once, including soluble support material that opens up design possibilities beyond what a single head extrusion printer can provide.
Highlights of Independent Dual Extrusion System
- No more Oozing or Stringing (Multi color print without contamination)
Several 3D printers on the market offer Dual Extrusion by placing Two Nozzles in a Single Print head or Carriage which is now conventional. Since the Inactive nozzle is always close to the part that is being printed, this technology comes with several drawbacks like Oozing, limited print materials etc. Both the Hot Ends are kept close to each other sharing a Single Carriage.
For Independent Extruders the situation is different: each Independent Head has its own Nozzle and own Carriage. When one Nozzle is active and printing, the other Inactive Nozzle moves to the parking location. Wiping mechanism is provided at the parking location. When switching from one color or material to other the filament which leaks out of the Inactive Head does not stick to the print, as it will be wiped out at the parking zone itself. Addition to this, even we can provide Ooze or Wipe Tower or Shield. This prevents contamination of materials and gives neat, cleaner and beautiful prints reducing mix-up or dripping of the colors.
- 2X Efficiency & 2X Production with Duplicate & Mirror mode
The IDEX 3D printer system is unique & engineered with advanced User Interface. The software automatically copies the selected part for you. It allows printing the model in Duplicate and Mirror modes at the same time.
The Independent Dual Extruder System allows printing with two identical parts simultaneously. This doubles the production speed and halves the lead time of the printer making the machine much more effective for batch production.
- Hassle free workflow with high ease of access,
- Double the efficiency & productivity,
- Halve the Cost & Lead time.
- More possibilities with Multi-color & Multi-material printing
Another big advantage of the Independent Dual Extruder is that it allows the two Nozzles to have a big temperature difference and therefore allows combining different materials. For instance it is possible for complex prints using soluble support material and main core material can be assigned differently and independently. Since the heads are separated from each other, it is possible to set the nozzles at different temperatures with a large difference in temperature between them. This allows the user to make many more material combinations.
Why choose a 3D Printer with IDEX?
Besides doubling productivity, using this technology offers so many more benefits thanks to its Duplication and Mirror modes for Low Volume Batch Production:
- Reduces the cost of Machinery in half:
With the same number of 3D printers, the final customer can get twice as many parts printed with this system. - Reduces the cost of Maintenance and Downtime in half:
To keep a 3D printer in an optimal condition Standard Maintenance must be followed. Since there are no extra actions or maintenance costs when compared to other 3D printers. - Reduces the labor cost in half:
Designing and setting up the print on this printers take the same time as any other machine in the market. However, investing this time in an IDEX printer produces twice as many parts. - Same space, Same Investment, double efficiency and double productivity: Since these 3D printers will double the production, every square meter used to house a printer is working double as well.
Difference between Independent and Dependent Dual Extruders?
There are two different types of Dual extruder 3D printers, Dependent Dual Extruder 3D printers, and Independent Dual Extruder 3D printers. Both types of Dual extruder 3D printers have unique characteristics.
In a 3D printer with Dependent Dual Extruder, the nozzles stay in contact with each other at all times (also known as contact design). These nozzles then move together in the same direction during the printing process. In most of the Dependent Dual Extruder designs, the inactive Hot end will not able to lift away from the object when the active extruder is printing. If this problem occurs, the inactive Hot end can bump into the object it is printing, resulting in a damaged 3D printed object.
In a 3D printer with Independent Dual Extruders, the nozzles can move away from each other and also from the object that is being produced. This ability helps protect the object from being damaged during printing.
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