Eight-Axis Robotic System Prints Composite Parts

At the recent International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), 3D printer maker Stratasys demonstrated two concept machines that illustrate how the company is rethinking machine design for the use of 3D printing in production. One of the machines (not shown) is the company’s so-called “Infinite Build” demonstrator, which prints in a horizontal orientation to enable the machine to build large parts with the Z “height” limited only by the floor space the user of such a machine might devote to it. An upright platen receives the first layer of the part, then backs farther and farther from the deposition head with each new layer until the build is done.

The other concept machine is the one pictured above. The company’s robotic composites demonstrator employs a Kuka robot, a pivoting rotary table and control by Siemens to achieve eight axes of precise motion to generate lightweight, rugged production parts from carbon-fiber-filled plastic material. One of the advantages of this design is the ability to now 3D print not just in parallel layers, but in any direction around and along the part as it is being formed. Photos in the slideshow show the IMTS demo, as well as a component that was made using various deposition directions to enhance its strength. Read more about these 3D printer concept machines and see this commentary for more.