#3DStartup: VENOX Systems Focuses on Durability With Its 5-axis 3D Printer

Primarily based in Lingenau, western Austria, start-up VENOX Techniques has give you a 5-axis 3D printer able to printing a variety of thermoplastics, together with steady fibers. Its particular characteristic is a head-changing system that offers entry to a number of instruments for various manufacturing choices. In creating this machine, the startup goals to fulfill power challenges in additive manufacturing. Certainly, it might be able to depositing fibers – carbon, glass, aramid – alongside the half’s load path, thus providing a really attention-grabbing weight-to-strength ratio for a lot of industries. We met the co-founder of this younger Austrian firm, Nicolai Wampl, to seek out out extra about this printing course of and its attainable purposes.

3DN: May you introduce your self and inform us about your connection to additive manufacturing?

My identify is Nicolai Wampl and I’m co-founder of VENOX Techniques. My journey with additive manufacturing started once I met the opposite co-founders of VENOX. They’d developed a 3D printing system able to printing with thermoplastic supplies and steady fibers. After overcoming the preliminary challenges, we sought monetary help to convey our expertise to an industrial stage. Acquiring funding below an Austrian program marked a decisive turning level for our firm.

The VENOX Techniques staff

3DN: How did the thought for VENOX Techniques come about?

A number of years in the past, when industrial 3D printing was beginning to go mainstream, we took a take a look at the obstacles stopping 3D printing from competing with conventional manufacturing. We recognized three main issues with FDM/FFF expertise: half power, manufacturing velocity and floor high quality. We got down to remedy the primary downside: power.

3DN: Are you able to inform us extra about your machine?

Our new machine, the V-REX (VENOX-Revolutionary Extrusion System), boasts a number of distinctive options. Drawing on our expertise in mechanical engineering, we got down to create extra than simply an extrusion printer with a brand new gadget. Drawing inspiration from conventional manufacturing, we launched a head-changing system that permits six completely different instruments for use in a single manufacturing course of.

The V-REX 3D printer

These instruments vary from varied FDM printheads to our unique CFFP (Collision-Free Fiber Placement) course of, which allows the printing of steady fibers resembling carbon. Whereas different machines can print steady fiber-reinforced thermoplastics, our 5-axis gantry system is completely different. Carbon fibers and composites have anisotropic properties, which means their power varies with path. Conventional 3-axis printers can solely reinforce elements on the planar stage, which interprets into low Z-axis power. Our 5-axis machine allows us to acquire stronger elements. It permits us to align the fibers alongside the half’s load path, leading to light-weight, high-strength elements.

3DN: What supplies are appropriate with the VENOX Techniques machine?

Our machine can print most thermoplastics with melting temperatures beneath 500°C, in addition to composite supplies resembling carbon, aramid and fiberglass. As well as, it may well print with wires as an alternative of fibers to include electrical options, though this functionality remains to be below improvement. We’ve efficiently produced the primary demonstration elements.

The machine is appropriate with a variety of thermoplastics

3DN: How does your machine reply to the challenges going through 3D printing customers?

Our machine meets a number of main challenges. It’s fully open, each when it comes to materials and software program flexibility, enabling customers to maximise the expertise’s potential. The V-REX is designed for mass manufacturing of end-use elements, providing greater high quality and performance than easy prototyping.

3DN: Any final phrases for our readers?

By introducing this expertise to the trade, we provide not solely the machine, but in addition the printing as a service. You probably have a undertaking for which the burden/resistance ratio is important, we’re the answer: don’t hesitate to go to our website HERE.

VENOX Techniques additionally provides a 3D printing service

What do you consider the 3D printer developed by VENOX Techniques? Tell us in a remark beneath or on our LinkedIn, Fb, and Twitter pages! Don’t neglect to join our free weekly publication right here for the most recent 3D printing information straight to your inbox! You too can discover all our movies on our YouTube channel.

*All Photograph Credit: VENOX Techniques