Aug 8, 2016 | By Alec

Despite the huge growth spurt the 3D printing market has undergone over the past few years, the same dichotomy between industrial-level equipment and desktop 3D printers is still around. On the one hand, you have relatively low-cost 3D printers for private users (which are fantastic, but not accurate enough for professional applications), and in the other you have accurate (metal) 3D printers that easily cost tens of thousands of dollars – perfect for NASA, but not exactly for startups and small-scale product designers.

Fortunately, a middle-ground alternative has just appeared that brings large-scale smart 3D printing to the table. Called the Zinter Pro II, it has been designed by British 3D printer developers Ion Core Technology, and looks great for those professional users and researchers that are not working with multi-million dollar budgets. An FDM 3D printer with a huge build volume and a professional 3D printing system, the Zinter Pro II also achieves a 10 micron resolution that makes it perfect for high quality and end-use applications.

For those of you who’ve never heard of Ion Core before, they are actually a big name in the British 3D printing industry. One of the first British companies to focus on 3D printing, it was founded back in 2012 by James Marchant, Richard Dinan and Alexander Nall-Cain and has enjoyed extensive backing from the UK government and various funds. Since 2014, it is led by Shane Nelson who has been working hard to expand their product range with an eye on the aerospace and industrial markets.

But the company is also known for its high quality 3D printers. Back in 2013, they launched the excellent Zinter Pro 3D printer. Aimed at professional users and private hobbyists alike, it was ahead of its time in some respects thanks to a fully enclosed build area, a heated build platform and a double extruder setup. Moreover, the company also spent a lot of time on exterior details to ensure a professional look.

That Zinter Pro 3D printer was quite a success and, among others, was part of a fantastic initiative by Icon Core to bring 3D printers to schools across the UK. As Ion Core’s Spencer Tolley revealed, the Zinter Pro II was therefore developed with its predecessor in mind. “It builds on the success of the globally acclaimed Zinter Pro, greater accuracy, larger build volume, brand new chassis, and design with the same great looks,” he says. “Superior build quality and aesthetics coupled with our leading software means the British-made Zinter Pro II is not only one of the most accurate and fully featured desktop 3D printer on the market, but it’s the best looking too.”

What’s more, it certainly seems as though the British developers delivered. Again a dual-extrusion 3D printer, the Zinter Pro II 3D prints numerous professional grade materials (Nylon, PVA and PC alongside the common PLA and ABS), and does so at up to 0.01mm (10 micron) resolution. But professional users will be especially happy to hear about the 300x300x300mm print bed, making it one of the largest 3D printers in its price range. “It’s now easier than ever to print larger models for your business,” they say.

But aside from its size, the Zinter Pro II boasts a host of other interesting features. Among others, it features a series of IR Auto Bed Levelling sensors that compensate for un-levelled beds immediately to ensure printing quality. It is also supported by excellent Simplify3D Software Suite, which gives uses full control over all 3D printer parameters.

But much more eye-catching is the 3D printer’s impressive active cooling system that opens up a new range of 3D printing possibilities. “It improves overhangs and bridging by giving you complete control of temperature management on a per layer basis, complicated, unsupported overhangs are now entirely possible with the Zinter Pro II,” the UK specialists say.

While the Zinter Pro II’s price tag of £3495.00 ($4500,00 USD) places it in the lower range of the professional 3D printer segment, it does come with several other cool features that make it perfect for use in any office or university. Among others, it can be connected to a business Ethernet network to make it usable throughout the entire organization. But it also features locking doors that keep it safe from curious passersby. “Whether you are looking to print sensitive parts within an aerospace or military environment, or a school looking to keep prying fingers away from Hot Parts, the Zinter Pro II's groundbreaking locking print area ensures that the print area and filament bay are opened only by authorized users,” they say.

Combine that with a unique filtered extraction unit that protects everyone in its vicinity from (toxic) odors, and the Zinter Pro II 3D printer becomes an excellent option for any office environment.

 

 

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Andy wrote at 12/23/2017 12:25:02 AM:

I ordered a printer from this company several years ago. They lost the order and then refused to refund me since they are unethical. STAY AWAY from these if you are outside of the UK. Taking legal action inside the UK requires a UK address and it very difficult to navigate.

Richard wrote at 8/9/2016 8:35:15 AM:

"the Zinter Pro II's groundbreaking locking print area" You're about 15 years too late to be groundbreaking. I was running Stratasys machines in 2001 that had key locking doors on them.



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