www.3ders.org

Nov.3, 2013

CEL, a British based product development company, run by Chris Elsworthy and Kenneth Tam, has been developing Robox 3D printer since the beginning of 2012.

"There are many people that believe 3D printing is not ready for the mass-consumer market and that it is just too difficult to use. We've set out to solve this problem by designing out all of the current problems with domestic 3D printers from the ground up...We've attempted to make Robox accessible to all by simplifying the process of printing to a few clicks and making the product safe for the whole family to use." writes the team.

The frame and motion systems of Robox 3D printer are designed to be extremely rigid and accurately positioned. All motors and axes are attached to a single stainless steel frame, reducing the need for factory calibration.

Robox includes a dual-nozzle system so one nozzle can print highly detailed exterior surfaces, and another larger nozzle can fill the object multiple layers at a time without affecting part strength or detail. Robox 3D printer also features automatic bed levelling, automatic material recognition, replaceable print head, internal lighting and separate build chamber and electronics enclosure.

The Robox extruder contains a unique dual-pinch-wheel extrusion system that the filament is fed to the head by two indexed contra-rotating feed wheels which are powered by a worm & wheel gearbox. The arrangement allows for consistent extruder operation and could eliminate the possibility of 'stripping' your filament.

The Robox also features pause and resume prints. The software can monitor the motion of filament and can pause the print if there is any error. And the user can also restart the print from where it left off.

For avoiding another 3D printing problem 'ooze' - as the plastic becomes soft and begins to flow, molten plastic can ooze out of the hot end - Robox uses a needle-valve system which completely closes the nozzles at the point of extrusion, removing all stringing and 'blobs' from the part for a good surface finish.

Specs and features:

• Build Volume: 210 x 150 x 100mm / 8.3 x 5.9 x 3.9"
• Best Layer Resolution: 20 microns
• Nozzle Diameter(s): 0.3mm and 0.8mm / 0.012" and 0.031"
• Material: PLA, ABS, HIPS Nylon, PC, PVA
• Software: AutoMake software
• Assembled
• Automatic Bed Levelling
• Automatic Material Recognition
• Pause / Resume Prints
• Heated Build Platform
• Draught-blocking Enclosure
• Replaceable Print Head
  
• Internal Lighting

The Robox is priced at £849 ($1,353 / €1,003). The printer is still under development, you can check out the printer in detail on Robox's new website.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printers

 

 

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Tom wrote at 11/25/2014 11:49:41 PM:

To bad it doesn't actually work. I have a pile of Kickstarter junk.

TT wrote at 11/5/2013 10:47:51 PM:

any intention to #opensourcehardware your needle valve system

RC wrote at 11/5/2013 1:51:32 PM:

What is the print speed? And do you have any 20 micron prints to show?

Chris Elsworthy wrote at 11/4/2013 11:54:26 PM:

Thanks for all your kind words, it's so reassuring that the past 18 months of work is already being appreciated. EP, the first print head has 2 nozzles, a single melt chamber, and the possibility of two material feeds. We have plans for other print heads including one with 2 melt chambers and two material feeds, so yes but not at first, but should be shortly released after launch.

EP wrote at 11/4/2013 6:24:45 PM:

Very interesting new product and nice to see someone looking to add to the experience and not just chase a low price. Quick question will the 2 print heads be able to handle support material?

Chris Elsworthy wrote at 11/4/2013 11:45:41 AM:

Jack, AutoMaker is an interface for robox which has been scratch built, it will plate objects and much more.. We've not written our own slicer yet but this will come later in the development. it is not a Repetier or ReplicatorG copy, if we are to get the masses 3D printing they are going to need something a lot more user friendly.

Jack wrote at 11/4/2013 6:04:26 AM:

@Chris "Software: AutoMake software" Is it really custom software written from the scratch or just another name for Repetier or ReplicatorG ?

Ivo wrote at 11/4/2013 5:48:50 AM:

Chris which software will be use ?

Tom T wrote at 11/4/2013 2:29:32 AM:

This looks great, definitely what I would like to put in for my company. My employees aren't engineers so we need something to prototype on that is as close to plug-n-play as possible.

Dan wrote at 11/4/2013 12:20:20 AM:

2 Chris Elsworthy Very good design, Chris. Looks great!

Chris Elsworthy wrote at 11/3/2013 11:48:36 PM:

Robox is not about replacing "well calibrate reprap" printers, it's about making 3D printing accessible by people who can't make and tune a reprap machine. We use home made printers in the office and love them, but we all have expertise in engineering. Your knowledge base or experance should not be the limiting factor in anyone's wanting to try new technology's.

Pez wrote at 11/3/2013 11:06:52 PM:

Looks awesome! Seems to be the whole deal we've been waiting for? Jack - what doesn't it do that you wish it did?!

JD90 wrote at 11/3/2013 10:31:07 PM:

Special mechanism to prevent filament stripping? Talk about trying to impress the rubes. Filament strips for a reason, often the nozzle getting clogged, at which point you risk breaking something if you try to force it too hard, or it will strip anyway.

Jack wrote at 11/3/2013 10:09:35 PM:

Another day Another Printer, I'm tired of this "soon" "on development stage" news everyday, especially they show output which is available on every well calibrated RepRap

Dan wrote at 11/3/2013 9:38:31 PM:

Yes, finally. Now it looks like home printer, very good. The automated building platform for continuus printing and tray for printed parts can make more close to normal form, but even in this shapes it is very good.

JC wrote at 11/3/2013 9:34:27 PM:

Seems an interesting product.

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