When one thinks of the RepRap 3D printer, it’s possible that what comes to mind is hobbyists tinkering in their garage or local hackspace. However, as Ari reported on 3DPI a couple of months back, the German team at Kühling&Kühling has come out with an industrial RepRap-style printer.
A quick recap of the industrial specs of this beast — it has two extruders for multiple materials and colours, as well as six different interchangeable print heads so that, combined with the heated bed, the Kühling&Kühling 3D printer can print a wide variety of filaments, including PLA, ABS, HIPS, PVA, PC and Nylon. The interchangeable nozzles offer four different diameters (0.25mm, 0.35mm, 0.5mm, and an experimental 0.75mm), allowing for a variety of print resolutions. The whole machine is encased in a plastic shell with “4 powerful recirculating air heaters for constant 70°C ambient temperature” and a water cooling system for the extruder nozzles and motors. The total build volume is a hefty 200 x 200 x 200 mm.
Also incorporated into the Kühling&Kühling printer is a digital touch screen and LED lights to give the printer a professional look and feel. With its Raspberry Pi, it can be operated as a standalone printer or remotely. This seems to be one of the first RepRaps that has outgrown its grassroots to find itself on the machine-shop floor.
The system is now available for pre-order with an introductory offer that will last until May 26th — the Kühling&Kühling RepRap Industrial 3D Printer Kit can be purchased for a special introductory price of €4.153,10.
