Objet260 Connex compact multi-material 3D printer

Objet260 Connex is a compact and attractively priced addition to Objet’s family of multi-material 3D printers. Unlike other 3D printers we previously wrote about, the Objet260 Connex is based on the company’s patented inkjet 3D printing technology that enables mixing of 2 different materials to produce a new material with distinct properties, textures and colors.

“The compact Objet260 Connex brings our high-resolution, multi-material 3D printing to new levels of accessibility for front-line designers and engineers who demand the highest quality prototypes and true-product representation. And all this in a system that is quiet, reliable and small enough to run in the corner of any office”, said David Reis, Objet CEO.

The Objet260 Connex 3D printer has a 260 x 260 x 200mm (10.2 x 10.2 x 7.9 inch) tray size and uses sealed material cartridges that are easy to insert and remove. The system prints in 16-micron layers which enable production of models with great details and accuracy. From a base of 14 cartridge ready materials, users can create composite materials (refered as Digital Materials by Objet) based on various combinations of the original 14 and print in 30-micron layers. Yje same layer height is used in printer’s High Speed mode.

Printer’s ability to jet 2 materials at the same time, enables a more realistic representation of a 3D printed items used for assembled goods and consumer products. Simulating anything from rubber to transparency to rigid engineering plastics enables creation of consumer device prototypes that require a particular look and tactile feel.

Such prototypes and models can consist of soft, flexible rubber-like elements, seamlessly joined with transparent elements, or rigid elements, in a number of various colors and shades. This capability provides a unique user experience for simulating gaskets, seals, hinges, shoe soles, tires and many other soft-touch applications.

“It’s the 3D printing materials that provide many of the unique capabilities of our 3D printers. With the introduction of several important new materials in 2011, Objet can now boast an impressive portfolio of 68 materials of varying physical and mechanical properties. It’s the most versatile range of materials on the market, all developed with the intention to create the most realistic prototypes possible”, said Gilad Gans, Executive Vice President for Objet

Objet printing materials provide users with a wide range of mechanical, thermal and physical properties from high temperature resistant material (RGD525), clear transparent material (Objet VeroClear), ABS-like Digital Material (RGD5160-DM), bio-compatible material (MED610) and the rigid opaque VeroWhitePlus material.

Following a year packed full of new 3D printing product and material launches, Objet Ltd., will showcase some of the real-life applications made possible with its technology at EuroMold 2011, which is held from 29th November to 2nd December, in Frankfurt, Germany.