Serial production
3D printing has undoubtedly caused a remarkable upheaval in the manufacturing industry, and one of the latest stars in this field is the “One Pro” from iFactory3D GmbH. For beginners, this advanced 3D conveyor belt printer from Düsseldorf may seem like magic. In this short guide, we will demystify the magic of the One Pro and give beginners an insight into its features and capabilities.
Basics of the One Pro
Before we dive into the details, it’s important to understand the basics of the One Pro. The One Pro is a 3D belt printer; based on a continuous printing surface. This allows for automated additive manufacturing in one piece or in series. It features a unique 45-degree print angle that promises optimal layering, low material consumption, fast print time and premium surface quality.
1. Automation simplifies the process
Perhaps the most magical aspect of the One Pro is its ability to automate. Imagine loading your 3D model into the printer, starting the process, and the rest happens by itself. The integrated conveyor belt system automatically transports parts as the printing process continues. The result? A seamless, efficient printing process that saves time and resources. You only need to take action when loading the filament. The One Pro notices when the material is running low and stops the printing process. As soon as it is reloaded, it seamlessly picks up where it left off. So no progress or material is lost.
2. Precision at a new level
The One Pro’s impressive surface quality and layering are no accident. Thanks to the 45-degree pressure angle, layers can be applied with precision, resulting in high-quality, detailed end products. This precision opens up a wide range of applications, from prototypes to functional parts. In addition, the layers adhere particularly well, which is clearly noticeable with foaming materials such as specialized TPU. The One Pro thus requires only a tiny amount of material to print a fully functional shoe inlay, for example. And it is then simply super lightweight.
3. Economical with materials thanks to physical finesse
Because the print head does not work horizontally from above, but is angled, the One Pro can do without support structures for many shapes. After all, if you want to print a bridge on a Cartesian 90° printer, for example, the distance part has to be created somehow. So the print head would come from above and print the columns first, but as soon as the bridging path has to be built, it would print to nowhere without support structures and everything would just fall down.
With the One Pro, you start at the first support column and the conveyor belt travels on parallel to the layer build. This way, the layers are never completely isolated from each other, and you can print overhangs or even cavities. This is not possible with normal 3D printers.
4. Versatility for different projects
The versatility of the One Pro is another amazing feature. You can print multiple parts, whether they are the same type or a completely different type, as long as material is loaded into the printer. This works thanks to the queuing feature. Or you can create a sequence of objects directly in the so-called G-code, the printable file. However, the length of such a print sequence can also be the length of a single, contiguous object. Thanks to the conveyor belt, you can continue creating far beyond the actual print area. For really long projects, iFactory3D also offers a suitable roller extension, so that the object remains in a horizontal position and is transported further. The rollers provide an optimal gentle wayto match the movement of the actual conveyor belt.
In addition, the One Pro offers the geometric freedoms mentioned above, such as hollow printing and overhangs, so that it can be used for many different tasks. As a result, it can now be found across a wide range of industries, whether it’s large automotive manufacturers, a toy producer or a self-employed person with a prosthetics project, for example.
5. Step-by-step guide for beginners
For beginners, the One Pro may seem intimidating at first. But the manufacturers have thought of everything. From setting up the printer to choosing the right print settings to selecting materials, iFactory3D GmbH offers comprehensive step-by-step instructions. But most importantly, they always offer the opportunity to get personal advice. The Düsseldorf 3D printing company values close contact with its customers. This played a role not least in the development of the printer. With the One Pro, a lot of user feedback was incorporated directly into the device.
And actually, the printer is not all that different from conventional devices. The big difference is really only in the print preparation, the “slicing” process. Information on this and on a specially developed slicer, which is currently in beta, can be found on the iFactory3D website. The slicer will be available to all belt printer users once the testing phase is complete.
Technology within reach – 3D printing from Düsseldorf, Germany
The “One Pro” from iFactory3D GmbH may seem magical at first glance, especially with videos of meter-long or “floating” models, but it is based on solid technology and innovative design. The combination of automation, precision and versatility makes the One Pro a remarkable tool in the manufacturing industry. With the right tools and a pinch of curiosity, even beginners can dive into the world of 3D conveyor belt printers and experience the impressive magic ot the One Pro firsthand. Because that’s exactly what the One Pro was created for: To give everyone the opportunity to turn their ideas into reality and to encourage innovation.