The Objet Connex churns out complex objects by spraying eight million plastic droplets a second
Posted 03.28.2011 at 10:09 am
3 Comments
The Make-All Machine
John B. Carnett
Since the first 3-D printer was invented by Charles Hull in 1984, machines have seen vast improvements in speed and accuracy. Today’s best 3-D printers operate much like a standard inkjet, spraying millions of droplets of polymer to build an object layer by layer. But there’s a hitch: Most 3-D printers use only use a single material at once, thus each product they produce can be just one color or consistency.
The Objet Connex can print two materials at a time, and even mix composites. In doing so, it can craft items with varied flex, shade and feel. The Connex has helped hospitals fabricate see-through medical models and even allowed a Massachusetts Institute of Technology student to construct a working flute complete with moving hinges and rubber gaskets.
Click the image above to see an animation showing how the Objet Connex can print complex objects one microscopic layer at a time. If you are unable to view Flash files, click here for a static version. Illustrations by Aaron Newman; Flash Design by Josh Rashkin
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This month's How It Works section is brought to you by Digi-Key. All posts are purely editorial content, which we are pleased to present with the help of a sponsor; the sponsor has no input in the content itself.
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I was really excited to see a machine with cross material blending capability. I had visions of hdpe and graphenes, polymers and powderized/epoxy copper mixtures creating beautifully rendered functional internal circuitry layered in a well executed and clean built form..
And this machine, while being intricately designed and obviously well engineered, well.... this is not what it leads itself to believe. It ain't no Startrek Replicator. HUrghh!
I love the idea and hate the mediums. Resins are soo limiting guys. My dreams of a replicator go unfulfilled.
And yes, I am trying to do something about it.
I just closed a fifth digikey adert...The people who need digikey know about digikey.
yours truly,
Crabby Mcluvstechalot
I, as 99% of the people on this site, share your dream of a replicator- however, we have to start somewhere. With the pace technology is evolving, I think we could see a replicator in our lifetime if we don't destroy one another first (and that is a very big IF)...
True, its not a replicator, yet. You do have to admit it is amazing. The possibilities are limitless and this is in its infancy. As with computers progressing from the ENIAC in '46 to the i-phones of today for computing power, think of where this can lead in 50 years, or even 10 for that matter.