Anisoprint has introduced the Composer Nova composite 3D printer at TCT 3Sixty in Birmingham and TCT Asia in Shanghai. This new model, sharing features with the Industrial Prom IS 500, includes up to four printheads and uses tool changer technology for enhanced productivity without compromising the use of support materials.
The Composer Nova builds on Anisoprint’s desktop Composer line, which originally featured a single printhead with two nozzles for polymer and reinforcing fiber. Unlike the previous model, the Composer Nova can print support structures with water-soluble materials like PVA, making removal easier.
Key advantages of the Composer Nova include a 5x increase in plastic material printing speed and a 2x increase in fiber laydown speed per printhead. Typically, one printhead handles build and support materials, while the remaining two print heads lay down fiber. These eighth-generation composite fiber extrusion printheads switch quickly for efficient operation.
“We wanted to print faster, so the first thing we do is separate the [print of plastics and fibers] into separate printheads,” said Ryan Liu, CEO at Anisoprint
“So, we introduced the concept of the tool changer, so the plastic prints by itself, and so does the fiber so they both print faster. Also, before, you had to print the support using the base build material, which is difficult to remove. And since you cannot [dramatically] increase the moving speed of the fiber, you can increase the volume with the fourth printhead.”
The Composer Nova is a benchtop platform with a build volume of 400 x 300 x 300 mm. It includes real-time print process monitoring, intelligent filament management, automated bed leveling, and calibration. Additionally, it features material chambers that can hold up to six spools in a sealed compartment.