Changeable tool heads make 3D printer adaptable
Plastic extrusion, CNC milling and laser engraving can all be achieved with the multi-tool desktop 3D printer from ZMorph. The printer offers three fabrication methods using exchangeable tool heads. It is available through RS Components.
Tool heads are a fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printer, a CNC router and a laser cutter and engraver. The ZMorph VX can be used by engineers, designers, artists and educators for one-off projects, prototyping or mass production.
The ZMorph VX is available either as a basic 3D printing set, which can be upgraded at any time with additional interchangeable tool heads for extrusion, CNC milling and laser engraving, or as a full set including all tool heads and accessories.
The main printer unit has a thick aluminium body with fully enclosed electronics, a flat borosilicate 3D print worktable, a reinforced x-axis carriage and an LCD touchscreen. The calibration system is automatic for ease of use.
The 3D printing set is supplied with a 1.75mm single plastic extruder with a 0.3mm nozzle, additional nozzle sizes of 0.2 and 0.4mm are also available. The printer also includes a heated worktable for 3D printing, a cooling fan, and a starter pack of fixative and PLA filament material. A range of other plastics can be used for 3D printing, including ABS and its derivatives, PVA, PET, ASA, nylon, high-impact polystyrene, TPU, and some thermochromic and flexible plastics.
The optional dual extruder tool head can be used to create models using two different materials at the same time. For example, highly detailed mechanical models can be printed with water-soluble support, or coloured images can be placed on 3D objects. An interchangeable ‘hot end’ mixer nozzle blends different coloured materials in varying proportions during extrusion, allowing colour gradients and graded colour variations to be achieved.
The CNC Pro tool head converts the VX into a desktop CNC milling and engraving machine, for use with wood, polycarbonate, carbon fibre plates, HDPE, acrylic glass, machining wax, modelling board, Dibond-like composites, copper laminates for PCBs, POM acetal and PVC foam. The 3D print table can be swopped for a sturdy aluminium CNC worktable with pre-set holes to provide a flat, stable surface for easy clamping.
The Laser Pro tool head can engrave and/or cut such materials as wood, leather, copper laminate, paper, cardboard, felt and thin gaskets.
ZMorph’s Voxelizer software is described as an intuitive user interface. The latest version includes 3D filters that help users make unprintable models printable using smart support structures, says ZMorph.
The working area of the ZMorph VX is 250 x 235 x 165mm, although this is dependent on the tool head used. Positioning precision is 14 micron for the x- and y-axes and 0.6 micron for the z-axis.
The ZMorph VX is shipping now from RS in the EMEA region, excluding DACH and France.
