While Polish 3D printer manufacturer Omni3D has received attention for the ways that they’ve used 3D printers, applying their expertise to save penguins and build wind turbines, the company’s big news today sees them doing what they do best, building 3D printers. Omni3D is now releasing their Factor 2.0 3D printer, geared towards the industrial sector with its precision, size, and printing speed.
The Factory 2.0 is the result of two years of research and development and, from the looks of it, that work has paid off. The FFF 3D printer is capable of printing with an accuracy of .03 mm, 500 mm (19.7 inches) on each axis, and a traveling speed of up to 350 mm/sec. Additionally, with a dual extruder, the printer is designed to be capable of using a wide variety of materials, features automatic bed leveling, a closed build chamber, and a 7-inch display, for controlling the printer.
Due to its 10 microprocessors and custom electronics, Omni3D suggests that the Factory 2.0 continuously controls the temperature and humidity of the print chamber and the flow of filament. Other upgrades include the shift from any flexible component, such as rubber belts, to fixed parts, which the company attributes to the increased precision and quality of the machine. The Factory 2.0 also comes with Omni3D’s Mak3r software, which, using predefined settings, “makes the majority [of the] decisions for the user.”
Konrad Sierzputowski, member of the Omni3D Management Board and responsible for the development of the Factory 2.0, says of the new machine, “Dimensional precision is particularly important in industrial productions. The priority for all elements of the production – also including our Factory 2.0 – is accuracy, which guarantees a perfect match between elements and an ideal end product.” He continues, “Similar printers are currently sold on the market only by two American companies. We certainly have the advantage of availability, low price and maintenance costs of our equipment. Factory 2.0 printers operate in an open ecosystem – composites from various manufacturers can be used with them. This definitely improves access to innovative materials and reduces maintenance costs.”
Sławomir Mirkowski, also a member of the Omni3D Management Board, adds, “The majority of devices available on the market use similar solutions, which share the same problems and limitations. Seeing this, we have decided to take the challenge and to fill the market niche. In this way, our offer is now targeted only at entrepreneurs and the broadly understood industry.”
The Factory 2.0 will be available for purchase in Europe and the Americas this September, but the company has already provided the printer to a few companies already. The machine will not only be used to print wind turbines in California, with the involvement of two Fortune 500 companies, but the Factory 2.0 will also be used in the production line for a “well-known” German auto manufacturer. While we await the price of and the feedback surrounding the Factory 2.0, from the looks and sound of this printer, it does sound like it will be a worthy competitor and, as the Polish manufacturers continue to make their way into the global market, other European and US companies may be taken by surprise.
Update 7/15/15: I’ve been informed that the Factory 2.0 will be sold for €10,000 and will begin shipping between September and October.
Update 12/18/15: Though an Omni3D representative gave me the above information, I have since been told by a different representative of Omni3D that the €10,000 price tag was only for pre-orders, but that their official price is actually €20,000. The rep explained “[W]e’re getting a lot of problems because of that article – most of our clients are expecting a different price and we disappoint them. I’m not sure exactly who gave you this information but for the moment can you erase the Update line?”
