Print 3D Models with 14 Materials

By DE Editors

The Objet260 Connex 3D printer from Objet Geometries.

Objet Geometries (Rehovot, Israel, and Billerica, MA) has announced the Objet260 Connex, a compact addition to the company’s family of multi-material 3D printers. The Objet260 Connex leverages the company’s inkjet 3D printing technology, which is able to jet two materials at the same time, and has the ability print a single model replica made of up to 14 distinct individual materials, according to the company.

The Objet260 Connex allows users to select 51 materials from the more than 60 printing materials available from Objet. Material options cover a range of mechanical, thermal, and physical properties, including rigid, rubber, clear transparency, and the company’s new ABS-grade engineering plastic. Prototypes and models can be made of various textures and colors. This provides users the ability to create model gaskets, seals, hinges, shoe soles, tires, and other soft-touch applications, according to the company.

“The compact Objet260 Connex brings our high-resolution, multi-material 3D printing to new levels of accessibility for front-line designers and engineers who demand the highest quality prototypes and true-product representation,” said David Reis, CEO for Objet in a press statement. “And all this in a system that is quiet, reliable, and small enough to run in the corner of any office.”

This artistic chair model combines multiple materials and was printed
in a single print job on the Objet260 Connex.
Image courtesy of Neri Oxman and Objet Geometries.

The Objet260 Connex offers a 10-x-9.9-x-7.9-in. build size. The system prints in 16-micron layers and offers a build resolution is 600 dpi (X and Y axes) and 1600 dpi (Z axis). Typical accuracy for rigid models is said to range from 20-85um for features below 50mm up and to 200um for full-size models. Models cure during the build process and can be handled immediately after printing. Input formats are STL, OBJDF, and SLC. Materials come in fully sealed, REACH-compliant cartridges.

A prototype of a toy printed in 11 different materials during a single print
job on the Objet260 Connex. Image courtesy of Objet Geometries.

Machine dimensions for the Objet260 Connex 34.3 x 28.9 x 47.2 in. (W —D —H), and its uncrated weight is 582 lb. The Objet260 Connex is TCP/IP network-compatible and operates with Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 systems.

For more full details, contact Objet Geometries.

Watch a video on the Objet260 Connex.

View the specifications for the Objet260 Connex.

Download the Objet260 Connex brochure.

More details on Objet's ABS-like Digital Material are here.

Download the Objet materials brochure.

Watch of rebroadcast of the webinar “Competitive Advantage through On-Premise Rapid Prototyping” co-sponsored by DE (registration required).

See why DE's Editor's selected the Objet260 Connex as their Pick of the Week.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.