Five 3D Printer Modes, Unlimited Applications

Essentium’s newest High Speed Extrusion (HSE™) machine, the HSE 280i HT 3D Printer, is the first industrial 3D printer to feature true independent dual extruders (IDEX), where each head is fully independent on both the X and Y-axis. This technology unlocks high-speed support printing, multi-material 3D printing, and more for a total of five 3D printer modes.

Single-Head Mode

Featuring the speed and strength of the HSE 180 3D Printing Platform, Single-Head Mode allows manufacturers to transform manufacturing floors and print at the speed of relevance. At five to 15x faster than competitors, this print mode enables users to harness the power of 3D printing at scale without sacrificing accuracy or speed.

Support Mode

Support Mode allows manufacturers to use soluble support to print parts with complex geometries. Soluble support reduces post-processing time and saves on material costs enabling industrial users to manufacture complex jigs, fixtures, tools, and end-use parts while saving time and money on the factory floor.

Though all Essentium HSE 3D Printing Platforms are open source, Essentium has created Essentium Support S10. This soluble support material allows users to print complex parts on the HSE 280i HT 3D Printer, then wash away support in warm tap water. On top of saving post-processing time, users no longer have to worry about caustic water baths, detergent solutions, or the hassle of disposing of hazardous waste.

Multi-Process Mode

Blend material properties at print speeds and part strengths never before seen in additive manufacturing (AM) with Multi-Process Mode. This technology makes it possible to print with two different materials or Essentium Hozzle™ heated nozzle sizes.

When applications demand properties from two different materials choosing one or the other could sacrifice strength, surface finish, or cost. For example, it is best to use a stiff material like Essentium HTN-CF25 when printing pipes that will transmit fluid. However, in instances where the fluid is chemically aggressive, Essentium HTN-CF25 will deteriorate since it lacks chemical-resistant properties. Rather than sacrificing strength, manufacturers can print an interlining of a chemically resistant material that protects the structure.

Copy Mode

Copy Mode allows manufacturers to print two identical parts, down to the G-code. This eliminates part-to-part variation, which is ideal for direct manufacturing at scale. Additionally, Copy Mode allows users to maximize build volume. In Single-Head, Support, and Multi-Process Mode, the displacement of the print heads restricts the left most and right most borders. In Copy Mode, the bed is divided in half and the corresponding head has access to the full build volume, all the way up to the border.

Copy Mode unlocks endless applications. From doubling the productivity of a product order to printing both halves of a blow mold at once, Copy Mode gives users the speed to manufacture at scale.

Independent Mode

Get two machines for the price of one with Essentium’s Independent Mode. This mode will be available in Winter 2021 and will allow users to print two unique parts concurrently, ideal for low volume, high mix manufacturing.

In addition to increasing agility to print multiple parts at once, Independent Mode allows users to print parts with multiple pieces in half the time. For example, using the HSE 280i HT 3D Printer to produce blow molds allows manufacturers to skip over the lead time and tooling costs that come with the traditional manufacturing methods. With Independent Mode, print molds with alignment pegs on one side and alignment holes on the other at the same time.

Does your current technology have the 3D printer modes you need to print at scale? Request a quote to see how the HSE 280i HT 3D Printer can advance your applications.

For a closer look at Essentium’s newest technology, visit the Essentium Experience.