Thermoplastic Composite 3D Printing
CNC Robotics and CEAD now offer you the best technology and experience by joining our collective specialist knowledge and expertise for advanced large format robot additive manufacturing. CNC Robotics integration of a KUKA robot with a CEAD 3D printing extruder offers the perfect platform for large and complex 3D printing for a variety of sectors.
Offering a great deal of advantages over traditional 3D printing methods, the CEAD system allows the customer to print at large scale by utilizing the large working envelope of the 6 axis robot. This large format metal 3D printer also gives you the ability to perform non planer extrusion to print complex geometries.
The CEAD extruder is designed to process fiber-filled thermoplastic pellets, a cost-effective material that offers high performance and quality. CEAD offer 4 different extruders, each with their own benefits, output speed and nozzle size. The type of the extruder influences the size of the robot required, higher payload robots can carry heavier extruders, the largest CEAD extruder, the E50, has an extrusion rate as high as 84 kg/h. This means you can print thicker and higher layers depending on your part size.
As the integrator, CNC Robotics focuses on bringing the whole system together as well as installation, training and safety. We train users on the system as well as completing a site acceptance test (SAT), enabling you to focus on developing 3D printing applications and manufacturing parts in short time.
The System
large format printing
Offers an expansive working area for building sizable components.
High Speed Extrusion
Speed up the printing process for the production of large parts.
Complex
Geometries
6-axis flexibility to create complex designs, eliminating the dependency on support structures
efficient
material use
Optimizes material consumption to produce parts precisely without the traditional waste.
What's included
ROBOT
Each robot has its own characteristics and technologies. The most important of these are the range of motion and the maximum load capacity, which sets the limits of the machine’s capability. These elements allow you to choose the most suitable industrial robot.
Hardware
The extruders process virtually all short-fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites, making them widely applicable to many industries. The extruder is accompanied with a base unit that controls temperature, extrusion speed and ensures safe operations.
Software
Advanced additive manufacturing software makes it possible to program and control robotic arms as large scale 3D printers. Compatible with AdaOne and Ai Sync, every aspect from design to finished part is covered, including; part optimization, path planning, robotic simulation and process monitoring.
safety
Our CEAD system comes with CNC Robotics tested guarding, which has been through strict risk assessments, safety standards and regulations. Doors are fitted with interlocks, whilst the guarding contains internal and external e-stops, this is monitored by an operator control panel.
System Upgrades
Printbed
The heated upgrade gives you a print surface of 120 ° C, which is ideal for materials that require more gradual cooling.
Extruder
CEAD offer a broad range of extruders that vary in terms of weight, output, heating power and other specifications.
Linear Track
Add a 7th axis to increase the robot's working area. The increased flexibility adds a whole new series of applications.
Applications
Rapid Prototyping
Our robotic 3D printer facilitates cost-effective, in-house prototyping, optimizing every stage of validation and significantly reducing product development cycles. The technology ensures precise and agile design testing and analysis, enabling data-driven decisions for continuous improvement.
Mould Making
The versatility of our robotic 3D printing systems accommodates the intricacies of mould geometries, whether non-planar or multi-planar, ensuring that each mould meets the exacting requirements of your production needs. Since the 3D printing process works by producing parts layer by layer, material is, for the most part, used only where needed. As a result, it produces less waste than traditional subtractive methods.
Efficient Tooling
From jigs and fixtures to casting patterns, polymer 3D printing opens the door to faster, cheaper and customised tools. The available 3D printable thermoplastic materials currently available are even strong enough to replace metal tools, which makes the assembly process a lot easier and lowers the cost of the custom tool.
Customised Products
Since 3D printing doesn’t require labour-intensive and costly tooling and can create complex objects cost-effectively, it enables the production of personalised products tailored to consumers. Customization can be immediately implemented with digital models, using a 3D scan or CAD file, import the file into your software and prepare it for printing.
Part Production
For industries like aerospace and defense, where highly complex parts are produced in low volumes, 3D printing is ideal. Using the technology, complex geometries can be created without having to invest in expensive tooling equipment. This offers aerospace OEMs and suppliers a cost-effective way to produce small batches of parts cost-effectively.
Industries
aerospace
Enabling rapid and cost-efficient production of high-performance parts on-demand, manufacturers can accelerate project timelines by reducing lead times for specialized tooling, prototypes, and final products. Benefits also include creating lightweight yet strong parts.
architecture
Paving the way towards sustainable mass customization in architecture. With the high output extruders capable of producing full-scale building components, large format additive manufacturing can address structural design considerations, materials and testing methods.
automotive
3D printing boosts the industry’s competitiveness by speeding up product development through faster prototyping. In-house additive manufacturing streamlines processes, eliminating the need for traditional tooling, molds, and fixtures for economical production.
creative
Layer-by-layer fabrication and diverse 3D printable materials empower artists with new creative processes. Affordable 3D printing is driving design and scale innovations in sculpture, fashion, and installation art, with a focus on sustainability through reusable materials.
marine
Ship construction using 3D printing, involves the fabrication of standardized, interchangeable modules that can be rapidly assembled into a variety of ship configurations. Modular construction not only reduces build time but also offers flexibility for ship customization.
Renewables
This technology enables the creation of lightweight and durable parts, greatly benefting solar panels, wind turbines and components in renwable energy systems. Manufacturers who use in-house 3D printing for custom and complex parts will streamline their operations significantly.
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