It takes a large 3D printer to print furniture. If a printer is large enough to handle furniture then it can also accommodate vehicle parts and architectural components. Users are constantly finding more applications for these gigantic machines so the XL 3D printing space is getting bigger and bigger. Just like all 3D printing technologies, XL printing has its own strengths and tradeoffs. Let’s have a look.
Looking for a large scale 3D printing service? We offer multiple technologies and build sizes that go up to 2 meters / 78.7 inches in the x, y and z direction. Contact us to request a project quote.
When To Consider XL 3D Printing
Obviously, size is the driving factor in choosing to use large-format printing but there’s more to it than that. Here’s a breakdown of some of the less-obvious considerations:
- Unibody Parts – Often, producers are already able to fabricate their large objects through traditional methods of assembly but those objects would perform better if they were produced as one solid piece, something only a large 3D printer can do efficiently. Having a part made from one material has many benefits that affect other aspects of production, which we’ll touch on below.
- Weight Reduction – Large objects are usually made of wood, metal, or injection molded plastics. Printing the same objects in plastic will make them much lighter, especially when factoring that users can easily adjust the density infill of 3D printed objects. Consolidating large assemblies into single components also reduces weight by eliminating the need for fasteners like nuts and bolts.
- Faster Development Times – The larger an object, the longer it takes to create and setup the tooling to fabricate it through traditional means. With 3D printing, there are essentially no setup steps so large prototypes are significantly faster to print than to make them any other way. A large object may take a while to print, but by cutting out the time-consuming tooling step, it may also be faster to do production runs of large objects, depending upon the specifics.
- Reduced Cost – 3D printed large parts can be cost competitive with conventionally-made parts almost entirely because of the tooling costs of the latter. Consolidated assemblies usually cost less as well because fewer materials have to be sourced from different places.
- Design Freedom – Using conventional manufacturing methods, many geometries are just not possible, such as internal channels and complex lattice structures. Many large objects, like furniture, benefit from such features and XL printers are the only way to realize those designs.
Large Scale 3D Printing Examples
- Signage and lettering – XL 3D printers with dual extrusion are perfect for making high-quality, modern signage. A great lighting effect is achieved by using black material for the front of the letters and fading to a translucent material towards the back of the letters.
- Restoration and architecture – XL 3D printing enables you to produce molds for architectural ornaments. You’re able to empower historic restorations as well as bespoke designs by lowering the cost of fabricating custom façades.
- Billet manufacturing – XL 3D printers with pellet extrusion are perfect for manufacturing billets in virtually any shape and out of virtually any thermoplastic. 3D printed billets can be significantly cheaper than extruded billets.
Pellet Extrusion
One of the differences between desktop 3D printers and XL printers is the tendency to find pellet extrusion systems on the large printers. Pellet extrusion doesn’t use spooled filament as feedstock but instead uses the same virgin plastic pellets that are used for injection molding, which are much cheaper than spooled filament. This makes it easy to mix different plastics to make custom polymer blends and colors. These systems can also take shredded plastics as feedstock, which enables users to directly recycle water bottles, milk jugs, and failed and unneeded prints into new objects. Such a degree of a circular ecosystem can not be achieved with any other form of manufacturing.
That’s all great but what compels most users to opt for pellet extrusion is its blazing speed as the technology enables output of several kilograms per hour. Printing times scale exponentially with part size so having a high extrusion rate is pretty important for large-format 3D printing. One drawback of pellet extrusion systems is that they struggle with retraction, a feature that filament extruders employ to improve surface finish by pulling back on the filament during non-extrusion travel moves; retraction reduces or eliminates blobs, dots, and stringing on prints. Some XL printers can operate with both filament and pellet extrusion systems, allowing users to choose the best toolhead for their specific application.
Large Scale 3D Printers
Either the x, y or the z axis should at least be 1 meter / 39.37 inches to be included in this list.
Heads up: our content may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but we’ll get a small commission. Read more here.BigRep PRO
The BigRep PRO is a large scale material extrusion 3D printer which was unveiled at Formnext 2018.
Features:
- - Dual metering extrusion system (MXT) which enables a fast print speed (up to 600 mm/s) and build rate (400 cm³/ hour)
- - Humidity controlled filament spool chamber
- - Closed print chamber
- - Bosch CNC closed loop motion control system
- Manufacturer:
- BigRep
- Manufacturer country:
- Germany
- Industry:
- Automotive, Aviation, Construction, Sign and graphics
- Application:
- Mold Making, Production, Prototyping, Research and Development, Restoration
- Print size millimeters:
- 1005 x 1005 x 1005 mm
- Print size inches:
- 39.5 x 39.5 x 39.5 inches
- Printable material(s):
- ASA, PA66, PETG, soluble support materials
Cosine Additive AM1
Cosine allows you to choose between multiple extrusion options. The pellet extrusion system offers flexibility and cost savings. Instead of being limited to only 10 - 20 different kinds of plastic in filament, powder or resin form - with pellet extrusion you have the entire market at your disposal. So tens of thousands of different types of plastic from the injection molding and extrusion worlds are all available for you to print.
Features:
- - High speed printing: up to 1000 mm/s
- - Improved humidity controlled filament spool chamber
- - Closed and temperature controlled print chamber and bed
- - ACS High Performance Multi-Axis EtherCAT motion control system
- Manufacturer:
- Cosine Additive
- Manufacturer country:
- USA
- Industry:
- Aerospace, Automotive, Boating, Construction, Defense, Sign and graphics
- Application:
- Mold Making, Production, Prototyping, Research and Development, Tooling
- Print size millimeters:
- 1100 x 850 x 850 mm
- Print size inches:
- 43.3 x 33.4 x 33.4 inches
- Printable material(s):
- ABS, PLA, PETG, TPU, PC-PBT, Carbon Fiber and Glass composite materials, up to 800+ materials
BigRep STUDIO G2
The BigRep STUDIO G2 is optimized for for abrasive and engineering-grade materials.
Features
- - Print bed heats up fast
- - Temperature-controlled filament chamber
- - Insulated & temperature-controlled print chamber
- - Dual extruder system
- Manufacturer:
- BigRep
- Manufacturer country:
- Germany
- Industry:
- Aerospace, Automotive, Boating, Education
- Application:
- Production, Prototyping, Research and Development
- Print size millimeters:
- 1000 x 500 x 500 mm
- Print size inches:
- 39.37 x 19.68 x 19.68 inches
- Printable material(s):
- PLA, PETG, Pro HT, TPU, PA6/66
Tractus3D T3500
Dutch manufacturer Tractus3D develops huge delta 3D printers. The T3500 is their biggest 3D printer. The print head can reach up to 572 °F / 300 °C which enables you to print with a wide range of specialty materials.
- Manufacturer:
- Tractus3D
- Manufacturer country:
- The Netherlands
- Industry:
- Automotive, Construction, Consumer products, Medical, Sign and graphics
- Application:
- Mold Making, Production, Prototyping, Research and Development, Restoration
- Print size millimeters:
- 1000 D x 2000 H mm
- Print size inches:
- 39.4 D x 78.7 H inches
- Printable material(s):
- ABS, HIPS, Nylon, PETG, PLA
BLB Industries The BOX SMALL
Hailing from Sweden, BLB Industries is a company that has made major waves in the 3D printing industry. Their large scale 3D printer line is dubbed ‘The BOX’. This one with its build volume of 1500 x 1000 x 1000 mm is the 'smallest' of the line and is called the BOX SMALL. It has a granular extruder which gives you two advantages:
1) fast printing: standard 1 kg per hour / up to 14 kg per hour is possible.
2) reduce material costs: plastic pellets are way cheaper than filament, resin or powder.
- Manufacturer:
- BLB Industries
- Manufacturer country:
- Sweden
- Industry:
- Automotive, Aviation, Construction, Consumer products
- Application:
- Mold Making, Production, Prototyping, Research and Development, Restoration
- Print size millimeters:
- 1500 x 1000 x 1000 mm
- Print size inches:
- 59.1 x 39.4 x 39.4 inches
- Printable material(s):
- ABS, PLA, HIPS, PETG, Nylon, TPU, CPE, PP, PE, Fiber Filled plastics
BigRep ONE v3
Founded in 2014, German 3D printer manufacturer BigRep set sail to transform the traditional manufacturing business. The BigRep One v3 was released in 2016. It has an independent dual extruder system and a spoolholder that can hold spools of up to 8 kg.
- Manufacturer:
- BigRep
- Manufacturer country:
- Germany
- Industry:
- Art, Construction, Education, Sign and graphics, Utilities industry
- Application:
- Mold Making, Prototyping, Research and Development, Restoration
- Print size millimeters:
- 1005 x 1005 x 1005 mm
- Print size inches:
- 39.5 x 39.5 x 39.5 inches
- Printable material(s):
- PLA, PETG, PVA, ProHT, TPU
DeltaWASP 3MT Industrial
WASP (World’s Advanced Saving Project) is based in Italy and was established back in 2012. With its roots in the world of open-source, WASP manufacturers professional large scale 3D printers with the aim to encourage sustainable development.
The DeltaWASP 3MT Industrial is compatible with the Spitfire and Pellet extruders. It also has a fully enclosed print chamber.
- Manufacturer:
- WASP
- Manufacturer country:
- Italy
- Industry:
- Aerospace, Automotive, Aviation, Consumer products
- Application:
- Production, Prototyping
- Print size millimeters:
- 1000 (D) x 900 (H) mm
- Print size inches:
- 39.4 H x 35.4 H inches
- Printable material(s):
- PLA, PETG, FLEX
Modix 120X V3
Modix 120X V3 features we like:
- – XL print volume of 1200 x 600 x 660 mm (47.2 x 23.6 x 26 inches)
- - Duet 2 Wifi, 32Bit controller developed by Duet3D
- - Reprap Firmware developed and supported by Duet3D
- - 7 inch touchscreen made by Duet3D
- - E3D Titan Aero extruder with E3D Volcano hotend
- - Closed loop motion system (optional)
- Manufacturer:
- Modix
- Manufacturer country:
- Israel
- Industry:
- Art, Automotive, Construction, Consumer products, Education, Sign and graphics
- Application:
- Mold Making, Prototyping, Research and Development, Restoration
- Print size millimeters:
- 1200 x 600 x 660 mm
- Print size inches:
- 47.2 x 23.6 x 26 inches
- Printable material(s):
- PLA , PETG, PVA, ABS, ASA, PC, Nylon, TPU/TPE, Woodfil, Copolyester, Corbon composite
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