Axiom Airwolf's latest 3-D printer can make prototypes using more than 30 thermoplastic materials, from low-temperature materials like TPU and polylactic acid, to high-temperature materials like nylon and PC. The Axiom has a suggested retail price of $3,995; a model designed specifically for educators costs $2,995. Airwolf customers include engineers, architects, artists and entrepreneurs.
What's new? The newly designed, fully enclosed printer was introduced at the 2015 Atlantic Design & Manufacturing expo. It has a replaceable cassette system, easy-feed filament system and ceramic plate. It also features a number of innovations to improve precision, including the CoreXY motion-control system and auto-leveling system.
Benefits High-speed movement, quality resolution, reduced delamination and greater ability to handle large runs. With its end-user replaceable cassette, which integrates the extruder and assembly, the Axiom is also easy to service and upgrade, the company says. It can print pieces as large as 12.5 inches by 8 inches by 10 inches, at layer heights of as little as 40 microns. In addition, the printer's ceramic plate has a number of benefits over the tempered glass plates that are normally used: It creates better adhesion with most 3-D printing materials, offers extreme resistance to thermal shock and does not fatigue, even after many exposures to radical temperature changes.
Airwolf 3D, Costa Mesa, Calif., 949-478-2933, www.airwolf3d.com
