CARACOL
HERON AM
HERON AM is Caracol’s Robotic Large-Format Additive Manufacturing platform – a modular, polymer and composite pellet extrusion robotic 3D printer, for large scale, industrial applications.
System Overview
The Heron AM is a modular, robotic large-format additive manufacturing platform built around industrial 6-axis robotic arms with reach up to 3.9m (extendable via 7th-axis rail).
The system is configurable around four pellet extrusion heads - HA, HV, HF, and xHF - with throughputs from 2 kg/h up to 75 kg/h and process temperatures up to 450°C. All extruders are designed to handle a range of thermoplastic and composite pellets, including recycled, bio-based materials or glass and carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastics.
| Extruder Technical Data | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extruder Type | High Accuracy (HA) | High Volume (HV) | High Flow (HF) | Extreme High Flow (xHF) |
| Weight | 16kg | 45kg | 75kg | 205kg |
| Dimensions | 800mm x 300mm x 150mm | 1150mm x 550mm x 300mm | 1500mm x 550mm x 350mm | 1780mm x 425mm x 650mm |
| Max Throughput | 2kg/h | 12kg/h | 30kg/h | 75kg/h |
| Heat Zones | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| Max Temperature | 350°C | 450°C | 450°C | 450°C |
| Cooling Zones | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Nozzle Size Range | 1mm - 5mm | 2mm - 8mm | 5mm - 18mm | 5mm - 24mm |
| Dryer | 75L | 75L | 150L | 800L |
Industry Applications
Architecture
Permanent commercial and retail installations, temporary booth and event installations, facade, wall panels and formworks.
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Automotive
Exterior and interior parts, custom components, prototypes and models, direct moulds, jigs and fixtures, sheet forming and thermoforming tools.
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Marine
Master moulds, tools and implants for composite lamination, high resistance structural parts, full hull components, prototypes and mock-ups.
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Caracol’s Eidos Manufacturing software is developed and tailored to Heron AM platforms. The Eidos suite handles everything from slicing to fleet management. Eidos Builder empowers seamless transformation of 3D models in optimized part programs, for the robotic system to execute precisely.
Eidos Nexus layers on real-time process monitoring, data logging, predictive maintenance, and AI-enabled automation, providing the visibility and control infrastructure needed to scale from single-cell operation to multi-system production environments.
Optional Upgrades
Every system can be configured beyond its standard specification to suit your production environment. Speak to our team to discuss what's possible for your application.
AUTOMATIC TOOL CHANGER
Automatically swap out the 3D printing extruder to equip the robot with a milling spindle.
Heated Printbed
Maintain consistent print quality across materials by keeping the build surface at controlled temperatures.
LINEAR TRACK
Print larger parts by extending the robot’s working envelope with a linear rail, available in configurable lengths to suit different production needs.