Epson has launched a new 3D printer designed to work with commonly available third-party materials. The model is able to fabricate parts with precision and strength for professional use within the industry, as it enables users to mass-customise items with the process of small-batch production.

Epson says: “The amount of material injected is precisely controlled by regulating the pressure within the head and by regulating the action of a valve in concert with the modelling speed. The temperature at the surface of a piece being printed must also be controlled in order to obtain the required strength.

“Epson employs a unique mechanism to precisely control this temperature and achieve both strength and accuracy. This 3D printer is thus engineered to manufacture strong, accurate objects with commonly available materials, facilitating printer use in the production of industrial parts for final products.”

Research shows that the 3D printing sector is expected to rise to an estimated worth of £29.7bn by 2026, with updated technologies playing a massive part in the growth.

Epson’s new 3D printer has been developed to include a unique material extrusion method, which has been made possible by utilising an incline screw with a flattened configuration. Epson says this method allows the printer to work with materials like resin and metal pellets, which are more cost-effective in comparison to other materials, and more widely available.

The new printer has been made to accommodate mass customisation by yielding small batches of parts to customers’ demands.

Currently tests and refinements are still being performed on the final design, with Epson having planning to make it commercialised in the future.

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