MakerBot expands technical materials compatible with its machines

The American manufacturer MakerBot made its comeback last year by presenting a new 3D printer called METHOD, it is a desktop machine, yet a professional solution. During Formnext 2019, the company launched an experimental extruder designed by MakerBot LABS and a METHOD materials development program. The manufacturer’s objective is to expand the technical materials compatible with its machines today so that the user can go further in applications, especially industrial ones. The 3D printer manufacturer has already chosen material manufacturers to partner with: KIMYA, Jabil, Polymaker and Mitsubishi Chemical.

When we talk about FDM 3D printing, it is often the material that makes the difference, especially on more professional machines. In recent years, there has been a real growth of polymers available on the additive manufacturing market, with more companies seeking solutions that are adapted to their requirements. This is why high-performance thermoplastics have exploded, but also composite materials (carbon fibre, glass fibre, etc.), which are lighter but very resistant. We also notice that machine manufacturers are more attentive to creating partnerships with material manufacturers in order to certify several filaments on their 3D printers, thus offering the user a guarantee of quality and a better experience, such as Ultimaker, Raise3D and more recently MakerBot.

MakerBot’s experimental extruder | Credits: MakerBot Labs

An experimental extruder for the METHOD and METHOD X

MakerBot LABS has developed a new extruder with a new hot end to easily change the nozzles, allowing a wider range of compatible materials. In the future, the solution should be fully customizable, with extensive printing settings supported by MakerBot Print software. Several nozzle models are therefore available: a standard 0.4 mm, a brass 0.6 mm for flexible materials, and a stainless steel 0.6 mm for abrasive materials.