3D printer supported with plug and play control unit

1st February 2016

Mick Elliott

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A 3D printer produced in Germany from the in-house designed renkforce brand has been unveiled by Conrad Business Supplies. Featuring dual extruders, two colour printing and the capability to create water-soluble 3D objects, the RF2000 joins the single extruder RF1000 launched at the end of 2013. Conrad has also introduced the 3D Printbox control unit, which can be used in the place of a PC to provide more convenient management of the printer.

The RF2000 provide the functionality and simple operation of the RF1000, but with substantially enhanced features. These include improved lighting inside the chamber for better visibility during the printing process, a heated glass ceramic base to the chamber which provides improved adhesion during printing, and a large, high-contrast liquid crystal display (LCD) to improve the user interface of the device.

Other enhancements to the design improve the safety and cooling of the unit – these include an additional fan and an emergency stop button.

To support this new 3D printer, Conrad has created the 3D Printbox, which serves as a ‘plug-and-play’ control unit for the RF1000 and RF2000, plus many other compatible 3D printers from leading brands such as MakerBot.

The Printbox can be operated either through a local network or via the free-to-use ‘Astroprint cloud’, which permits a smartphone, tablet or PC to be connected to the device through the internet.

As well as providing control and management functions for the printer, the Printbox further provides storage for 3D modelling data and high resolution images.

A webcam, available as an optional extra, allows for constant monitoring of pressure while the device is operational.

Andreas Bös, Head of New Business & Innovations at Conrad commented: “Following the successful launch of our renkforce RF1000 single-extruder 3D printer end of 2013 we listened to customer feedback. The new RF2000 model provides users with an even more advanced and capable device. With 3D printers now being used in a wide variety of industries and sectors we expect this printer to appeal to our core professional and business customers as well as hobbyists seeking industry grade equipment for their projects.”