Dutch filament maker manufacturer 3devo has released an upgraded purging material for its machines called the DevoClean Midtemp EZ.
3devo’s new compound allows users to more effectively clean their filament makers between jobs, preventing cross-contamination, and ensuring system durability. The EZ also outperforms the previous DevoClean range, providing adopters with a faster, more efficient and less odorous method of purging after testing materials.
Maintaining 3D printing filament makers
Founded in 2016, 3devo manufactures and markets machines that allow users to create their own 3D printing filaments. Since launch, the firm has established a product portfolio around its systems, including training, testing and aftercare services, that are designed to help clients optimize their maker’s performance.
With its first machines, the NEXT 1.0 and Advanced extruders, the company targeted two specific audiences. While the NEXT 1.0 was aimed at hobbyists and enthusiasts, the Advanced was designed for researchers or small firms, but both allowed users to recycle unwanted prints, yielding interesting material combinations.
Building on this eco-friendly theme, 3devo later released its SHR3D IT granulator, which was capable of recycling 3D printed plastics into reusable materials. The system produced granules that could either be deployed within 3D printers that operate using pelletized feedstock, or extruded into a wire filament in the NEXT 1.0.
Since then, the company has launched its AIRID polymer dryer for accelerating the filament production process, in addition to a suite of supplementary services. With the release of its new DevoClean range, 3devo is now offering its users an upgraded purging material, that could enable them to streamline their production workflow.
3devo’s Midtemp EZ material
3devo’s new compound is designed to prevent any contamination from occurring when users swap materials during the filament making process. The material’s wide thermal range of 180-420°C, allows adopters to clean at the same temperature level as that of the machine’s extrusion, removing any potential residue.
The company also offers ‘Mid Temp’ and ‘Max Temp’ variants, enabling clients to choose the version that best meets their thermal needs. Once the Midtemp EZ has been deployed, it now works more efficiently than before, needing 30% less material to purge, and wasting 200% less when transitioning between tasks.
Given that 3devo’s new material is grafted with special abrasive additives, it doesn’t scratch the inside of the machine’s extruder barrel either, enhancing its durability. Other benefits of the EZ include a reduced ‘plastic smell’ during purging, and it’s also able to remove persistent colors, preventing any potential processing delays.
Upgrading the purging process
As the compatibility of 3D printers with custom-made filaments continues to grow, the demand for new products that optimize the performance of filament making machines, has expanded in tandem.
In the past, 3devo has attempted to identify the optimal extrusion temperature for PEEK, and looked into the production of piezoelectric powders. Japanese chemical company VELOX, meanwhile, has released its ASACLEAN purging compounds, which aim to provide users with a low-cost, reduced residue alternative.
Elsewhere, Canada-based OEM Dyze Design has released its new Typhoon printhead for large-scale 3D printers. The advanced part allows adopters to dedicate one heat core to each material type, potentially accelerating the cleaning and purging process.
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Featured image shows one of 3devo’s filament makers. Image via 3devo.
