3D printer enables rapid prototyping

10th November 2015

Mick Elliott

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The first 3D printer from CEL is available at RS Components. The Robox offers professional-quality specifications and exceptional print speed with future-proofing adaptability. It is suitable for a wide range of users including electronics, mechanical, and product engineers involved in creating designs and needing rapid prototyping capabilities, or those in the education field as well as domestic users.

The printer’s key differential is its proprietary dual-nozzle system, which prints objects faster with high resolution and can improve print speeds by up to 300%. This can be achieved as a single material feed can be directed out of one of two nozzles: either via a 0.3mm-diameter extrusion nozzle or a larger 0.8mm nozzle.

This enables the printer to produce highly detailed visible exterior surfaces and quickly fill the object using the larger nozzle multiple layers at a time without affecting part strength or detail, and enables a very-high-quality exterior finish with a much faster print time. Other high-level 3D print specifications include a build volume of 210 x 150 x 100mm and maximum layer resolution of 20 microns.

Very importantly, the head is also replaceable using the company’s HeadLock System, which allows the head to be removed to change the function of the Robox quickly and easily. The replaceable head transforms the Robox into a future-proof multifunctional micro-manufacturing platform, rather than just a 3D printer.

The company has an extensive hardware and software upgrade roadmap that will bring new functions and features to the Robox. For example, two of the heads in development are the soon-to-be-launched dual-material head, and a drag knife or stylus cutter, which will enable the Robox to cut paper, card and vinyl to any shape required.

This level of flexibility and adaptability will enable the Robox to become a complete micro-manufacturing and prototyping system.

The Robox 3D printer is compatible with Windows, Apple and Linux operating systems, and is supplied with Robox AutoMaker software, which translates 3D designs into a language suitable for the printer by ‘slicing’ the 3D model into layers and sending the information to the Robox ready for production.

The machine is compatible with a wide variety of materials including PLA, ABS, HIPS, Nylon, PETG and PVA, and its automatic bed levelling ensures the print adheres to the plate every time with no user intervention required.

In addition, the printer’s Automatic Material Recognition system saves time and effort with material information and print profiles pre-loaded on each reel to help users get started quickly. The printer also comes in an enclosure that blocks draughts and is quick, safe and very easy to use.