XJet announced a new, compact 3D printer using their NPJ technology.
The company has been producing their Carmel series for almost a decade, with their unique nanoparticle jetting system. NPJ is capable of printing green parts in ceramic, metal, or even potentially polymers, although they’ve never taken that path. Their market has been industrial, as their Carmel 5000X and Carmel 1400M/C systems are fairly large.
The build volume on the 1400 series is 500 x 140 x 200 mm, and (possibly) double on the larger 5000X at 500 x 280 x 200(?) mm. Note there is a question mark there because XJet chooses not to publish the Z height of this system.
The new XJet Carmel Pro is a more compact NPJ system with a build volume of 350 x 140 x 200(?) mm.
The other specifications are somewhat similar between all systems, although the print speed (measured in height per hour) is double that of the 1400 series, and about the same as the 5000X.
This also means that the XJet Carmel Pro is capable of handling the full suite of XJet materials, including metals and ceramic — and this includes precious metals.
A new feature on the Carmel Pro is a “multimaterial printing capability” with four material channels. They explain:
“The Carmel Pro features multi-material printing capability with four material channels. This is a unique capability of XJet’s direct material jetting technology, which enables unparalleled operational flexibility and unlocks possibilities for the most sophisticated application development yet.”
It’s not clear whether this means you can print an object in up to four different materials (unlikely), or whether each job could use a different material without the need for swapping materials on the machine.
It appears that XJet also equipped the Carmel Pro with a number of software wizards and ease of use features that should make the device far simpler to use. That should be attractive for those new to NPJ technology.
An important feature of the Carmel Pro is its price. XJet said it is priced “60-70%” less than their other systems. This should enable many SMEs to obtain an NPJ system that they previously could not financially justify.
This is a very interesting move by XJet, as it positions the company for growth in new markets. They’ve been selling the larger systems to industries for years, but the more compact system — at a much lower price — could be used by many more potential customers. XJet explains:
“The launch of Carmel Pro marks a strategic move by XJet to expand its market beyond large-scale industrial manufacturing players to serve small-to-medium sized enterprises, startups, and research institutes and universities that pioneer innovation in product and technology development. XJet’s existing product portfolio featuring the Carmel 5000X, 1400C and 1400M was developed to deliver serial production at an industrial level whereas these organizations require flexible, compact AM solutions that fit their budgets and space requirements while delivering uncompromised part quality, freedom in product design and material advancements. “
Specifically, this means jewellers, laboratories and researchers. There are few affordable high resolution ceramic and metal solutions available to those segments, and the Carmel Pro might fit in quite well.
Via XJet
