RIZE, the Boston-headquartered provider and proprietary holder of Augmented Polymer Deposition (APD) technology, has released a new, full color 3D printer: the XRIZE.
Due to the nature of APD technology, multi-color capabilities have been anticipated from the company since the launch of its first 3D printer, the RIZE ONE, known for an ability to render images on white parts in blue ink. Boosting its industrial applications, the company has also launched two engineering-grade materials for the XRIZE.
Andy Kalambi, President and CEO of RIZE, comments, “Our innovative platform approach is the core to driving sustainable innovation,”
“With the launch of XRIZE, RIZIUM CARBON, RIZIUM ENDURA and RIZE CONNECT, we are now realizing the potential of this platform, providing our customers with maximum flexibility, complete ease of use and quickest ROI.”
RIZE Augmented Polymer Deposition
RIZE APD technology merges extrusion based FFF with material jetting, i.e. white plastic is extruded through a nozzle, then an inkjet print head runs over to add color, or the the company’s famed “Release Ink.” By fusing these two technologies, RIZE capitalizes on the inherent strength and design flexibility of FFF while remaining open to a further degree of material flexibility.
The idea with RIZE 3D printers is that more inks can be added to help tune the properties of the extruded plastic. Multi color capabilities is a step forward toward co-ordinating a wide variety of different materials within a single build. And, as hinted by in a 2017 interview with Eugene Giller, Founder and CTO of RIZE, it is the result of customer demand.
Why multicolor 3D printing?
Essentially, the use of the full CMYK color spectrum gives customers more choice in the appearance of a finished product. It facilitates coding, for example jigs and fixtures on an assembly line can be matched to their appropriate stages. It also enhances to ability to clearly communicate a concept in product development.
Potential use cases described by the company include, “prototypes for FEA and stress analysis, tooling with safety instructions, consumer products, package design, GIS mapping, anatomical parts for patient/clinician communication, pre-surgical planning and parts for marketing and the entertainment industry.”
As in RIZE’s previous release, Digitally Augmented Parts (DAP), full color also improves a user’s ability to instill data and codes into a part, which can be used as an anti-counterfeiting measure and for traceability.
Industrial 3D printer materials
In addition to CMYK ink, the XRIZE is compatible with new RIZIUM CARBON and RIZIUM ENDURA materials, in addition to the existing RIZIUM ONE and RIZIUM BLACK.
RIZIUM CARBON is a carbon-fiber reinforced thermoplastic, providing the strength needed for functional prototyping. Black in color, this material is not compatible with the CMYK ink, unlike RIZIUM ENDURA.
Termed as a “fiber-reinforced filament” RIZIUM ENDURA has a high impact strength, and is specially suited to producing large parts.
For white RIZIUM filaments, color, text, image and texture maps are easily added through the RIZE ONETOUCH software. From 2019, the company will also be launching the RIZE CONNECT platform, enabling users to remotely and manage print jobs on farm of RIZE ONE and XRIZE 3D printers.
XRIZE full technical specifications and pricing
The manufacturer’s suggested retail prize for the XRIZE 3D printer is $55,000. Market availability for the system is expected in 2019.
Currently available technical specifications are listed below.
Material input: Four-channel color and dedicated Release Ink channel
Device dimensions: 21.4” H x 36” W x 25.4” D (535 x 915 x 647mm)
Build volume: 12”x 8” x 8” (310 x 200 x 200mm)
Weight: 135 lbs (61kg)
Layer thickness: .250mm or .125mm
Resolution: x/y 300dpi; Z 200dpi at .125mm layer thickness
Accuracy: X/Y: +/- .127mm, or +/-.003mm/mm, whichever is greater and Z: +/- layer thickness (.250mm or .125mm)
The first public preview of the XRIZE 3D printer and the company’s existing range of products will be live at Formnext 2018 in Frankfurt. Visitors can find RIZE November 13-16 in hall 3.1, booth C28.
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Featured image shows CMYK color cartridges in the XRIZE 3D printer. Photo via RIZE
