Jan 28, 2016 | By Alec
It can be difficult to differentiate yourself when operating in a continuously expanding market packed with 3D printer models, but this clearly doesn’t affect Airwolf 3D. The California-based 3D printer developers have just unveiled a very cool successor to their successful AXIOM 3D printer, the AXIOM 2. Instead of being just a maxed out version of its predecessor, Airwolf 3D have really taken this model to the next level by including a truly independent second print head. This means the AXIOM 2 is perfect for 3D printing two materials (or two colors) simultaneously, opening up the way for new material combinations such as polycarbonate and ABS hybrids.
This new model is set to be unveiled at the Pacific Design & Manufacturing 2016 Show on February 9 – 11, 2016 at the Anaheim California convention center, but can now already be admired online. Airwolf 3D, of course, is a well-known and growing manufacturer of quality desktop 3D printers based in Costa Mesa, California, and their AXIOM machines have made their ways into the hands of countless private users, schools and colleges already.
Perhaps in a do-not-change-a-winning-team mindset, their latest 3D printer is largely based on the AXIOM 3D printer. It features the same clean exterior design, but instead comes with a very interesting dual hotend 3D printing mechanism with two completely independent extruders. This means both high temperature nozzles can be operated independently, enabling users to separately 3D print up to 30 different thermoplastic materials easily (including TPU, PLA, nylon and polycarbonate). The machine also comes with auto leveling features, and an “easy feed” filament load system. And to ensure those high-temp materials can be easily worked with, the XIOM 2 also comes with an heat-containing enclosed print environment.
The legacy of the AXIOM 3D printer is clearly visible in the new machine’s CoreXY motion control system and the body made of extruded aluminium and injection molded polycarbonate. It features a very respectable print bed as large as 12”x8”x9.5”. The Airwolf 3D engineers have further revealed that ease-of-use was one of their top priorities, and can be seen in the auto-leveling system. “Prior to every 3D print, the four-point print bed leveling system automatically calibrates the print bed ensuring proper initial layer height and orientation, and then actively maintains that leveling throughout the entire print process. Once calibrated, the AXIOM 2 is a set-and-forget operation,” they say.
Users will doubtlessly also be happy with the machine’s end-user replaceable cassette system (ERC) that enables servicing and upgrades. “The innovative End-User Replaceable Cassette (ERC) integrates the extruder and CoreXY assembly into a single ‘cassette’ that is field replaceable by the end-user. This unique approach allows the product to be serviced quickly, minimizing downtime,” they explain. “The ERC also allows end-users to easily upgrade to the latest technology protecting their initial purchase investment.”
But of course it’s biggest feature is the dual extrusion setup, made possible by JRx (jam resistant) hot ends can operate continuously at temperatures of 315 degrees Celsius (599 degrees Fahrenheit) – perfect for 3D printing more demanding engineering-grade materials such as polycarbonate and various forms of nylon. Owners of the existing AXIOM 3D printer will also be happy to learn that they can upgrade their machines to full AXIOM 2 specifications. “The AXIOM 2 sets the new standard in multi-material desktop 3D printing. We can independently control the temperature of two separate, high temperature, print heads to create material combinations not previously possible such as polycarbonate and ABS hybrid parts having high rigidity in some areas and ductility in others,” said company chairman Erick Wolf.
You can now already get a pre-order for the AXIOM 2 3D printer. Shipments are expected to begin in early March, and the current retail price is set at $4995. If you’re only interested in the upgrade, you can send your existing machine to Airwolf 3D, who will install everything and take care of shipping for $1,495.
Posted in 3D Printer
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I'd take them off your hands for a reduced price. Pros 3mms filament Bowden tube Large print volume Cons Plastic case Too many 3d printed parts No separate part cooling fan for pla Flimsy heated Low quality z threaded rod Custom extruder nozzles Extruder is very hard to take apart (body) Feeding issues #(mouse bites ... I've named mine MOUSE BITE) Heat creep due to flawed cooling system Cheap leveling bed screw and mechanism Loud Expensive Spool holder in wrong location Assembled to never be disassembled (no design for assembly) MatterControl Must use special filament Must use cloud based slicer/prepper Overall, this expensive printer gets a D- as a grade out of the box. With that being said, let me know if you'd like to cut your losses and get rid of them. I'd be willing to fix all the problems for a fee. Jaime Robledo elpatosmith@gmail.com
Jaime Robledo wrote at 9/19/2016 8:28:10 AM:
If you want to get rid often, I might be interested. I have one and it's a major pile of plastic. After. Some investigating, in round some very obvious and maybe no so obvious issue with these. Pros Looks nics Heavy Uses 3mms filament Has Bowden tube extruded Large volume Cons Loud Very unreliable Design flaws in the Bowden tube as-is Design flaw in the cold end cooling as-is Design flaws in Bowden tube attachment mechanisms as-is Utilizes a cheap z translation threaded rod Assembled to be disassembled by midgets Requires very special filament (diameter must be perfect) Lacks a good cooling fan for pla Printing bed is flimsy when upgraded to heated Too plasticy Too many 3d printer parts Cost is near prohibitive for what you get Plastic feed is in the wrong place Custom extruder nozzles at $35/unit MatterControl The list is long. With this said, if you can fix all of these issues it does print ok. Not great, just ok. A $500 kit should print just as well. They are very proud of a mediocre design at best. With that being said, if you are using to fix all these problems, I will take them off your hands at a much reduced price. I might even be willing to fix them for you at a fee. Jaime elpatosmith@gmail.com
Ian L. wrote at 3/23/2016 9:05:50 PM:
I have just bought 4 of these for work and 3 of the 4 have failed to date . Great size , beautiful design total rubbish build and poor software with bugs. Sorry fail buy a zortrax . Phenomenal printers.
Ian L. wrote at 3/23/2016 10:03:37 AM:
I have just bought 4 of these for work and 3 of the 4 have failed to date . Great size , beautiful design total rubbish build and poor software with bugs. Sorry fail buy a zortrax . Phenomenal printers.
Michael wrote at 1/29/2016 8:42:42 PM:
Hope I´m wrong, but do they use aluminium nozzle?
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