---
title: "QUALUP introducing rotating PIVOT printhead for high temperature materials"
url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/qualup-introducing-rotating-pivot-printhead-for-high-temperature-materials/
date: 2024-10-24
modified: 2024-10-23
lang: en
author: "Davide Sher"
description: "QUALUP SAS, a French manufacturer of FFF AM systems, is introducing two innovations at Formnext 2024 – the PIVOT printhead and the QU PREDICT software – that will transform the..."
categories:
  - "3D Printer Hardware"
  - "3D Printing Events"
  - "Formnext"
  - "Product Launch"
tags:
  - "insights"
image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Qu4-HT-640x384.jpg
word_count: 557
---

# QUALUP introducing rotating PIVOT printhead for high temperature materials

[QUALUP SAS, a French manufacturer of FFF AM systems](https://www.voxelmatters.directory/company/qualup/), is introducing two innovations at [Formnext 2024](https://www.voxelmatters.com/event/formnext-2024/) – the PIVOT printhead and the QU PREDICT software – that will transform the way high-temperature thermoplastic materials are used. I had the opportunity to visit the company in its very early days, almost a decade ago, when it introduced a high-quality delta 3D printer. Its HQ was based in the former stables of a small medieval castle, about an hour from Lyon - a perfect match of tradition and innovation. The company's founder, Philippe Boichut, told us that while R&D and system calibration are still conducted there, the machines are assembled by a network of subcontractors in Mâcon. Its innovativeness is still alive and well.

The first innovation, PIVOT, is a rotating printhead featuring an unusual rectangular nozzle shape, which allows to extrusion of a characteristic ribbon of material instead of a round filament thread. Thanks to the infinite rotation capability, it can dynamically adjust the orientation of the nozzle relative to the printed path. This provides better control over the trajectory, which is particularly advantageous when printing complex patterns and achieving smooth surfaces. Rectangular nozzles can create much sharper edges compared to traditional round nozzles. The PIVOT printhead also deposits material precisely where a rounded nozzle would either leave gaps or overflow material.

![Discover the game-changing innovations by QUALUP SAS - the PIVOT printhead and the QU PREDICT software. Revolutionizing high-temperature thermoplastic materials.](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/PIVOT_QUPREDICT_main.jpg)

The second innovation, QU PREDICT, is designed to optimize 3D printing with high-temperature polymers and avoid problems with warping, deformation, and surface cracking. The AI-based system uses a proactive approach, performing a detailed analysis of the G-Code before starting the 3D printing process, allowing for early identification and correction of potential issues. By evaluating print parameters, part geometry, and conditions it ensures the best possible results and generates a predictive report in just a few minutes. This report signals potential risks using a graphical 3D view that visually identifies problematic areas of the print.

QUALUP will also present its high-performance Qu4 HT 3D printer. This proprietary 3D printer is designed to work with high-performance materials like Polycarbonate (PC), PEI, PEKK, PEAK, and PPSU. It has a large print volume of 400 x 400 x 400 mm, with other sizes available upon request, including 400 x 400 x 500 mm and 500 x 500 x 500 mm. The printer's adaptive chamber ensures ultra-fast heating times, allowing jobs to start quickly, such as a 3-minute heating time for Polycarbonate at 140°C, less than 5 minutes for PEI 9085 at 175°C, 7 minutes for PEI 1010 at 220°C, and less than 10 minutes for PI or TPI at 245°C. It features a laminar airflow printing chamber that heats up to 300°C, liquid-cooled printheads, and interchangeable print heads for filament or pellet use. Additionally, the printer is equipped with a high-resolution, high-temperature printhead camera enclosed in a heat-resistant chamber, offering exceptional image quality and nozzle visualization, enabling real-time observations of the printing process and precise control.

Visitors will be able to see all new solutions and talk about joining the beta program for both PIVOT and QU PREDICT. Although the PIVOT printhead will be a crucial part of QUALUP’s systems, it will be also offered as a stand-alone solution, possible to install on other 3D printers. On the same principle, QU PREDICT is an independent software solution, so it can be used by anyone, no matter what machine they use.