#3Dstartup: 3DQue Systems and its operator free system for continuous production

3DQue Systems, based in Canada, has developed a system that offers 24/7 production. The startup identified the growing need for automation in the additive manufacturing market, which is why it developed the QPoD and QSuite solutions to automate thermoplastics 3D printing thanks to a process similar to FDM. QPoD is 3DQue’s 3D printing system, powered by their software, QSuite. It enables in-house production of plastic parts with little to no maintenance needed. In fact, the team explains that it can achieve 78,840 autonomous print-hours per year, which represents more or less 864 small parts per week. How do they provide this level of automation? We spoke to the 3DQue Systems team to learn more about their solutions for additive manufacturing!

3DN: Can you introduce yourself and tell us more about your experience with 3D printing?

We are 3DQue Systems, a startup based in Vancouver, Canada. We build automated 3D printer networks to create smart factories for in-house, on-demand production of plastic parts. With our technology, companies eliminate the need for injection molding and batch processing, reducing lead times by 95% (from months to hours), decreasing inventory levels by 85%, and reducing costs associated with bulk warehousing, shipping and handling. Thus, companies are able to reduce costs, accelerate innovation, and reduce their environmental footprint by eliminating fuel, heat, light, power, and waste associated with bulk production.

The 3DQue team. Top row (left to right): Steven, Tom, Eric. Bottom row (left to right): Grace, Ruonan, Tavy, Mateo, Steph, Lisa.

Our technology uses a combination of our proprietary QSuite software and VAAPR+Lock hardware to automate 3D printing of thermoplastics such as PLA, ABS, TPU, PETG, and Nylon. With the VAAPR+Lock we are able to vary the adhesion of the print bed, allowing for high adhesion during printing and automatic, clean release of the part upon completion of the print. By eliminating manual tasks associated with FDM-style printing, we enable companies to run lights-out production on a 24/7 basis.