MANUFACTURING
this has limited effect. With
this technique, it is not
possible to consistently
control the temperature
of all of a part’s layers
simultaneously, thereby
leaving it vulnerable to
warping and cracking.
When we designed the
The ability to use
real engineering-grade
ABS on more than just
traditional 3D printers
opens up these inherent
benefits of additive
manufacturing to a much
recent METHOD platform,
we decided to control the
temperature of the build plane,
not just the build plate. Instead of
simply heating from the bottom,
the closed chamber allows heat
to be recirculated in the chamber,
pulling air across from both sides.
This creates superior control as
every layer is printed in the same
heat environment without the need
to ‘tinker’ with printer settings. This
technology is designed to help
engineers achieve dimensionally
accurate, production-grade ABS
parts at a significantly lower cost than
traditional manufacturing.
Even with a new approach
to controlling the build plane
temperature, there are still challenges
to contest with. As the
extruder is in a hotter
environment, there is a risk
of expansion. This begs
the question, if there is
a fundamental thermal
issue with using ABS on a
desktop 3D printer, then why are we
so determined to fight against these
material properties?
The answer lies in our vision for
the future manufacturing industry,
which is that of a decentralized, ondemand
production model driven
by additive manufacturing. Injection
molded ABS will remain the best
choice for mass production for many
years to come due to its speed
and low-cost, but when the volume
needed is in the tens, hundreds
or even thousands, or customized
production is required, additive
manufacturing really has the upper
hand. The traditional cost-benefit
analysis that typically comes with
creating a tool, prototype or
end-use part is disrupted.
Designs can be tested and
iterated faster, speeding
up innovation and timeto
market, all at a much
lower cost than traditional
methods.
The ability to use real
engineering-grade ABS
on more than just traditional
3D printers opens up these inherent
benefits of additive manufacturing to
a much wider audience of engineers,
who have been limited to costly largescale
industrial 3D printers to meet
their ABS requirements. This is why
the recently launched METHOD X
3D printer signifies a step-change
for industrial-grade additive
manufacturing. Offering true ABS for
the first time on a more accessible
3D printer, it enables your everyday
designer or engineer to have access
to engineering-grade ABS for more
accurate and functional prototypes,
as well as more robust and reliable
production parts.
All Axis Robotics is a great
example of what can be achieved
with real ABS-enabled additive
manufacturing. In order to adapt its
custom robot end-effector designs to
the shop floor, the company needed
to produce a customized ABS partsander.
Using METHOD X, within a
matter of hours the team was able
to produce the sander using highly
tough and durable ABS materials,
avoiding the high costs and long
lead times typically incurred using
external supplier.
With the importance of ABS
in production never greater, it’s
important that developments in
additive manufacturing can extend
this capability to the wider industry as
an alternative to traditional methods.
While more costly large-scale
industrial 3D printers still remain an
important tool for addressing certain
industry requirements for ABS,
there is no doubt that a rise in more
accessible 3D printers offering real
engineering-grade ABS can open up
a plethora of opportunities to a much
larger audience of engineers. !
wider audience
of engineers
MAY 2020 | WWW.EUREKAMAGAZINE.CO.UK 31
/WWW.EUREKAMAGAZINE.CO.UK