Use Cases
Large Scale 3D Printing
Just like all types of 3D printing, XL 3D printing has its own strengths and tradeoffs. Users are constantly finding more applications for these gigantic machines so the XL 3D printing space is getting bigger and bigger. Let’s have a closer look.
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When To Consider Large Scale 3D Printing
It takes a large scale 3D printer to print furniture, vehicle parts and architectural components. 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.
- 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 – 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
- Restoration and replication – XL 3D printing has become rather popular among paleontologists as the technology allows them to both study and preserve the delicate fossils that they regularly handle.
- Furniture – Thanks to large-scale 3D printers it is now possible to create complex functional designs within a fully digitized process chain. From full-size prototyping to production of 3D printed furniture.
- Display advertising – XL 3D printers are perfect for making high-quality, modern signage and lettering for retail stores, businesses and exhibitions.
- Props – With the introduction of large scale 3D printers, designers can now produce enormous set pieces – overnight. 3D printing can help designers quickly manifest their wildest imaginations into the physical reality, and the Film & TV industry has taken notice.
Pellet Extrusion
One of the differences between desktop-sized machines and XL printers is the possibility to utilize 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.
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Large Scale 3D Printers
Looking to implement large scale 3D printers in your production process? Get a quote from Modix, BLB Industries, Tractus3D or Cosine Additive.
Modix BIG Meter
With the Modix BIG Meter, you are now able to manufacture objects as large as 1010 x 1010 x 1010 mm in one go!
- - DIY self-assembly kit
- - Print Volume: 1010 x 1010 x 1010 mm
- - Printer Dimensions: 1300 x 1470 x 1830 mm
- - Shipping Weight: 200kg
- - Included: Dual print head, E3D Aero & Volcano 1.75mm
- - Reprap Firmware developed and supported by Duet3D
- - 7 inch touchscreen made by Duet3D
- - E3D Titan Aero extruder with E3D Volcano hotend
- - Automatic bed tilt calibration
- - Power Requirements: 32A, single phase, 208-240V
Tractus3D T2000
The T2000 is measuring 2 meters (78.7″) in height and is capable of printing parts measuring 1 meter (39.4”) in height and a diameter of 68 cm (26.7″). Besides its massive build volume, this machine is packed with the latest innovations from Tractus3D. Including a fast extrusion system, the F033L, which ensures print speeds of up to 300 mm/s.
- - Large scale delta filament 3D printer
- - Extremely fast printing with the F033L print head
- - Huge print area: 680 mm (D) 1000 mm (H)
- - Can print a wide range of specialty materials
- - Complementary Simplify3D software licence
- - XL 3D printer that is designed to be used in the office space
Cosine Additive AM1
The Cosine Additive AM1 is a large scale, material extrusion 3D printer. Cosine lets you 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.
- - Large scale material extrusion 3D printer
- - Print size: 1100 x 850 x 850 mm
- - High speed printing: up to 1000 mm/s
- - Improved humidity controlled filament spool chamber
- - Closed and temperature controlled print chamber
- - ACS High Performance Multi-Axis EtherCAT motion control system
BLB Industries The BOX SMALL
Hailing from Sweden, BLB Industries is a company that has made major waves in the 3D printing industry. The BOX SMALL enables you to print parts measuring 1500 x 1000 x 1000 mm.
- - Large scale pellet 3D printer
- - XL build size: 1500 x 1000 x 1000 mm
- - Granular extruder, which reduces material costs
- - Fast build rate: up to 14 kg per hour
- - 15" touch screen
- - High quality linear motion modules from Rexroth
Modix BIG-180X
The BIG-180X features a print volume of 1800 x 600 x 600 mm and comes at a competitive price of $12,000 USD. The unique extra width of the build chamber is designed per request of customers working in the automotive industry.
- - DIY self-assembly kit
- - Print Volume: 1800 x 600 x 600 mm
- - Printer Dimensions: 2170 x 1060 x 1430 mm
- - Shipping Weight: ~240kg
- - Included: Dual print head, E3D Aero & E3D Volcano 1.75mm
- - Reprap Firmware developed and supported by Duet3D
- - 7 inch touchscreen made by Duet3D
- - E3D Titan Aero extruder with E3D Volcano hotend
- - 4 X Z axis motors are controlled individually providing automatic bed tilt calibration.
- - Minimal Electricity requirements: 32A, single phase, 208-240V
Modix BIG-120Z
The closed enclosure of the BIG-120Z is made of aluminum composite panels and polycarbonate doors. It incorporates a premium motion system including HIWIN motion rails, Gates timing belts and IGUS signal cables. This is a smart 3D printer providing several key reliability features including power-off resume, filament runout sensor, 120 probing points based automatic bed leveling, stall detection and more. The manufacturer offers an active air filter device as an add-on.
- - DIY self-assembly kit
- - XL print volume of 600 x 600 x 1200 mm
- - Z axis guides, HIWIN MGW Linear Rails
- - Duet 2 Wifi, 32Bit controller developed by Duet3D
- - Reprap Firmware developed and supported by Duet3D
- - 7 inch touchscreen made by Duet3D
- - Dual print head
- - E3D Titan Aero extruder with E3D Volcano hotend
Modix BIG-120X
Modix BIG-120X Version 3 represents a major leap forward with regards to the printer reliability, print quality, ease of assembly and readiness to future advanced updates. Since Modix big60 and 120X share the same core design the new update is benefiting both models.
- - DIY self-assembly kit
- - XL print volume of 1200 x 600 x 660 mm
- - 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)
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XL 3D Print Service
3D printing is a viable option for display advertising, large scale concept models, car parts, furniture, molds & tooling. We offer both cost effective solutions with thick layers and rough surfaces for rapid prototyping as well as highly detailed & post-processed end-use objects. Please contact — service@3dprinting.com — for any questions or complete the form below and we’ll answer you as soon as possible.
- Technologies: FDM, SLA, GDP
- Materials: From PLA to CF composites & more
- Maximum print size: 1450 x 1100 x 1800 mm
- Post-processing: Spray paints, metal coatings, assembly & many more