Personal 3D Printer Uses Engineering-Grade Materials

Airwolf 3D has announced the AW3D HDx, a low-cost desktop-sized personal 3D printer that prints engineering-grade materials such as polycarbonate, bridge nylon and nylon 645.

The AW3D HDx 3D printer from Airwolf 3D can use high-temperature materials such as polycarbonate, bridge nylon and nylon 645 to fabricate prototypes. Image courtesy of Airwolf 3D.

Airwolf 3D engineered the AW3D HDx based on its AW3D 3D printer frame, a partially enclosed but accessible system, and equipped it with the recently announced JRx hot end. The JRx, says Airwolf 3D, is the first affordable, jam-resistant hot end for 3D printers that enables printing with engineering-grade materials, which generally require higher sustained temperatures than most hot ends can deliver. The JRx will continuously hold temperatures of up to 599°F (315° C), according to the company. It can also print lower-temperature materials such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and other thermoplastics.

Airwolf 3D’s AW3D HDx 3D printer is enclosed in a tempered glass plate covered with PET tape. Image courtesy of Airwolf 3D.

Airwolf 3D reports that its new AW3D HDx printer offers higher acceleration, faster movement and more accurate positioning than the AW3D HD. It also has been upgraded with nylon extruder gears and a finer pitch lead screw.

The AW3D HDx has a 12 x 8 x 12 in. (300 x 200 x 300 mm) build envelope and a build volume of 1,150 cubic in. (18,878 cubic cm). Layer-to-layer resolution can be as fine as 0.002-in. (0.06 mm). Its max speed at perimeter is 5.9-in. per second (150 mm/s) and travel is 15.75-in. per second (400 mm/s). Overall system dimensions are 24 x 18 x 18 in. (600 x 440 x 450 mm. The AW3D HDx weighs 39.7 lbs. (18kg).

The JRx hot end for Airwolf 3D’s printers enables printing with engineering-grade materials. Image courtesy of Airwolf 3D.

The AW3D HDx is compatible with Macintosh and Windows systems, and it can operate autonomously. The unit comes fully assembled and calibrated. Standard are a 0.50-mm orifice nozzle, a 2-pound starter spool of ABS filament and a flash drive with all necessary software. A 0.35-mm orifice nozzle is available as a configuration option. Up to two hours of phone support at set up and 6 months of e-mail support are included with purchase.

For current Airwolf 3D customers, the JRx hot end can be retrofitted on AW3D HD and AW3D XL printers. Pricing begins at $195. Airwolf 3D also offers filaments and a build-it-yourself 3D printer kit.

Pricing for the AW3D HDx with a 0.5-mm orifice nozzle is $3,495. For more information, visit Airwolf 3D.

See a list of materials the AW3D HDx can use.

Read more about the JRx hot end on Desktop Engineering.

Watch a video on the AW3D HD that the HDx 3D printer is based on.

Watch a video on the JRx hot end.

Read the Airwolf 3D Printer Buying Guide.

See why DE’s Editors selected the AW3D HDx 3D printer as their Pick of the Week.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.