Raise3D announces RMF500 carbon fiber FFF printer
The industrial-grade machine offers dual extrusion and a large build area suitable for small-batch manufacturing
Raise3D, a hardware, software and materials developer headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, has announced its latest 3D printer, the RMF500. The new machine, built from hardened steel components, is a large-format FFF printer that can process carbon fiber reinforced material. It is the company’s second printer optimized for carbon fiber printing to be launched in 2021, following the unveiling of the E2CF at TCT Asia in May.
Size and speed
According to Raise3D, the RMF500 will offer new possibilities in large-format printing and small-batch production. This is partly thanks to a build area of 500 x 500 x 500 mm (significantly larger than the 330 × 240 × 240 mm on the E2CF). Production capabilities are also served by the printer’s speed: 300 mm/s with an acceleration of up to 2G and movement of up to 1000 mm/s.
Two other features serve industrial-level production. One is the Independent Dual Extruder system (IDEX), which allows for the printing of two print jobs simultaneously. The other is the four 2.5 kg cartridges which the printer can automatically switch between to reduce the need for manual intervention.
Repeatability and rigidity
Another selling point of the RMF500 is its accurate production repeatability. The machine provides an X/Y accuracy of 0.001 mm thanks to its linear motors. And it has and a precision of 0.0009765 mm along the Z axis. It also offers 1 μm closed-loop synchronous control, which reduces speed variations caused by motor load changes. The company says the linear motor-driven system has low clearance and low maintenance requirements.
Finally, the RMF500 can print with carbon fiber reinforced material. This gives manufacturers the ability to fabricate strong, engineering-grade parts. The specially developed filament has good rigidity and low shrinkage and is, unusually, optimized for printing in a non-heated chamber. This, Raise3D says, has enabled the company to develop a more efficient printer, requiring only 120W to power one hotend. Raise3D says the printer will only support the proprietary filament.
Raise3D has had a busy 2021. In addition to its two composite 3D printers, the company also unveiled the Pro3 series — suitable for rapid prototyping and production — in September.
