Markforged Expands Offerings with Larger 3D Printer

As the market for 3D printing grows, so does the size of the 3D printers. Markforged’s booth features the FX20, its fastest and biggest machine (with a build volume of 525 × 400 × 400 mm) to date. “That's essentially our new top of the line,” explains Markforged product marketing manager Charles Lu. The fused filament fabrication (FFF) machine is equipped with a heated print bed that can reach 200˚C, enabling it to handle high temperature materials such as Ultem, as well as continuous fibers for added strength. The printer was announced last year and started shipping earlier this year, making this the first time the machine will be on display at IMTS.

Markforged is also exhibiting new materials, including a recently released thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for its composite desktop printers. This is a flexible material that is suitable for gaskets, baffles and robotic grippers. According to Lu, 3D printed TPU could unlock a new range of applications for users. “It's an entirely different set of problems that you can approach,” he says. And for its Metal X metal FFF machine, the company has a new version of its 17-4 PH stainless steel filament that is designed to significantly improve print quality over the previous version.