Nov.21, 2013
British product development company CEL today introduces Robox, an affordable 'plug and print' 3D printer.
Robox features dual-nozzle printing and bed-levelling technology.
It has one 0.3mm nozzle for printing a highly detailed surface, and the other 0.8mm for fast-filling. This feature is claimed to be able to print considerably faster than other printers with only a single nozzle system. The company has also added a HeadLock system to the Robox's print head which means in the future it can perform some new functions such as stylus cutting, paste deposition or 3D scanning with different tools.
The bed probing mechanism can automatically detect and correct the build platform to ensure it is always parallel and the first layer adheres evenly from the start.
Additionally, the closed feedback loop, dual-pinch-wheel extrusion system, could make sure that the printing material is fed to the printer head evenly. The filament is fed to the head by two indexed contra-rotating feed wheels which are powered by a worm & wheel gearbox. The company says this arrangement could eliminate the possibility of slippage or 'stripping' of your filament. The filament extruder incorporates a closed-loop feedback system which monitors the motion of filament as it enters the extruder. The software can pause the print if any error is found, allowing the user or firmware to rectify the problem without ruining the entire print. Then the user can restart the print and it will continue from where it left off.
The "SmartReels" recognizes every reel of official Robox material which has a chip storing all the info about the reel. It tells the printer how much filament remains, warns the user that there may not be enough to complete a job.
There's also an enclosed build chamber for stabilising the printing environment. A replaceable print bed is constructed from PEI laminate material, which requires no tape, glues or special preparation. You also easily switch to alternative beds e.g. a stylus cutting mat, milling fixture system or turntable for the 3D scanning head.
Rather than bundle Robox with the usual selection of Open Source software, CEL has developed AutoMaker software tailored for its firmware and hardware. AutoMaker guides you through the steps of preparing a model for printing from choosing your model, placing it on the print bed(move, rotate, scale) and quality setting to click print.
Here is a Features Comparison prepared by CEL:
Robox is looking to raise £100,000 of Kickstarter funding to generate interest and support the final development of the product. Robox will launch in the UK and US in early 2014 at a RRP of £849/$1,364. Though early supporters will be able to pre-order one for £700/$1,126.
Posted in 3D Printers
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available when?
Lee wrote at 4/26/2014 10:17:59 PM:
I like the look of your printer, a modern Robot look, shaped like a bread-bin, sorry that was my first impression. But It does make a welcome change, from all the wood and perspex "Makerbot copies" you see on line, from china. I am currently looking to buy my first 3D printer, and was very pleased to see a UK company, with a really great product. Compact, so it will fit in my cupboard when not in use, and no annoying setup problems, but most of all for me: UK support and full backup. Peace of mind indeed. It ticks all the boxes for me, and from a buyers perspective, all except one: The build volume is very shallow at 100mm. Looking at the design, I cant see why has to be so small. why not 150? If you could produce a revised Version "Robox-X200" with a volume of say 200mm x 200mm x 200mm, now that would really put you on the map. A Maker-bot beater perhaps. I might order that, especially with the scanning and cutting heads you are working on. Now that would be an industry game changer, I might even buy shares in your company. For now though. Well done team, well done indeed.
Melamed wrote at 11/27/2013 1:43:40 AM:
@sas — this is a RepRap, in that it’s based on RepRap. An analogy can be made with Apple Macintosh OS-X, which is now also in your iPhone — it’s based on open source Unix. Only they chose a set of Unix that allows people to build closed-source programs on top of that open source Unix. So the same way, this company has taken a standard RepRap and added nice things on top of RepRap. This is a far more conventional RepRap design than I would make if I were to build my own 3D printer.
Robox wrote at 11/25/2013 4:17:30 PM:
Hi guys! Thanks for the interest in the product - glad to hear you like it! We'd just like to clarify that you don't have to use Robox official materials - you're free to use any high quality filament, see our most recent update and FAQs for more information. Adam B - The RepRap in the photo was our very first - over 2 years ago, and was certainly the inspiration to develop a printer, but by no means a prototype! We have included a lot of new innovation which is not available in the RepRap community, and Robox is aimed at those that are not able/do not want to spend time building their own printer - it's for those that just want to 'plug and print'. It's nice to hear you like the features we've included - the intention was just to remove all the normal problems with printing like first layer adhesion, loss of extrusion and 'stringing'. There's lots more innovation to come, so stay tuned! sas - Thanks for a breath of fresh air! Ben - because our hardware is brand new, we are still in the process of developing the firmware and software required to control it effectively. That's the main reason we've turned to Kickstarter, to allow us improve print quality and user experience now we have this awesome hardware! Be assured - perfect prints with videos are coming soon... Robox Team
Harg wrote at 11/21/2013 11:08:39 PM:
My only question is do you have to use their print material or can you use your own. I like many of the features but if I can't print with my own filament that is a deal breaker for me.
Adam B wrote at 11/21/2013 9:23:11 PM:
The first image in the images of prototypes looks like a prusa. or something damn close. Regardless. It doesn't matter what the configuration or parts of the final product is. It should be pretty clear even to the creators of the robox, that without the reprap project they probably wouldn't have been able to build this. There's a new 3d printer every week, I highly doubt that all these hundreds of innovators have all come up with similar configurations ina bubble, or simple from looking at a CNC machine. Sorry, that's a little bit of BS. There's lots of really cool stuff on this one, I might even buy one, I like it. I don't think people should automatically open source their projects or be told that they should, but I do think that 1) give credit where credit is due (don't act like you exist in a vacuum and somehow came to these conclusions all on your own) and 2) give back, even just a little bit. Apple doesn't open source OSX, but they do contribute back to the community because they do owe a lot to unix and linux.
sas wrote at 11/21/2013 6:22:28 PM:
@OpenSource convert. They have invested allot of time into the software, the unique dual head and the reel detection system. They have a standard XYZ movement which is used in all CNC machining and use FDM method for printing. There is no mention of reprap as they have not used 1 bit of reprap. they even got their own motherboard. before going trashing an company(team) who has invested allot of time and money into this project, maybe look up first what opensource and reprap means...
Ben wrote at 11/21/2013 5:29:30 PM:
I'm confused as to why the print with the most attention in the video was one that needed adjustments.... love the dual head concept and the needle valves.
CornGolem wrote at 11/21/2013 5:06:30 PM:
How was this a reprap or open source ? show us
OpenSource convert wrote at 11/21/2013 3:14:32 PM:
Nice to see another RepRap going into ¨production¨ with none of the RepRap ideology ... or even stating that this is actually open source information in the first place
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