What Are the Robotic Arm 3D Printing Solutions on the Market?

One of the trends we have increasingly seen as additive manufacturing industrializes is an increased focus on large-format additive manufacturing. Though this can of course be achieved with large machines, notably those using FDM, robotic arms offer a number of advantages for users. Robotic arms allow not just for large-scale printing thanks to the long reach of the arms, but also more freedom thanks their multiple axes as well as the fact that the resulting parts often do not require support structures. Though there are only a handful of manufacturers who create the robotic arms, they have been adapted by 3D printing manufacturers for both polymer and metal AM solutions. In the following list, in no particular order, we take a closer look at what is currently on the market, both for original arms and adapted solutions.

Original Robotic Arms Manufacturers

KUKA

The German company KUKA is undoubtedly one of the leaders in the automation market, offering robots that enable the electronics, automotive and healthcare industries to simplify their manufacturing processes. KUKA develops solutions that can be adapted for additive manufacturing. It is therefore not surprising to find the KUKA brand on many robotic 3D printers, whether for designing metal, plastic or even concrete parts. One example is the KR QUANTEC line of robotic arms, which offers machines with a reach of 2,671 to 3,904 mm and a load capacity of 120 to 300 kilos.

The KR QUANTEC arm was equipped with a nozzle to extrude concrete for the Besix3D company (photo credits: KUKA)

ABB

ABB group is a multinational company which produces robotic arms, including those used for 3D printing. Their robotics portfolio is diverse with different types of industrial robots to fulfil consumer needs.Their RobotStudio® programme is the world’s most popular offline programming and simulation tool for robotic applications. According to the company, with its solution, users can unlock flexibility and upgrade their business productivity to the next level. They are even able to design robots to suit their own unique needs, notably in additive manufacturing. As you will see further down the list, ABB six axis industrial robot is used by Massive Dimension, a company which works on sustainable development in the 3D printing industry.