Feature

RS Components adds two more 3D printers to its portfolio

RS Components has added to its growing range of rapid-prototyping machines with the Ultimaker 2 and BEETHEFIRST 3D printers.

23/11/2014 14:48:03

Recently voted Best Consumer Product 2014 at the London 3D Print Show Global Awards, the Ultimaker 2 desktop 3D printer employs fused filament fabrication (FFF) technology and targets electronics and mechanical engineers involved in design, prototyping and research and development, as well as enthusiasts and students.

Manufactured from premium parts and materials the latest version of the Ultimaker 3D printer, compared to its previous incarnation, now adds a heated bed, which smoothens the print output, allows for ABS material printing and also prevents warping.

Claiming the highest speed and accuracy possible on any desktop 3D printer available today, the printer offers a print speed of up to 300mm/s and a layer resolution of only 20 microns or 0.02mm. In addition, it is available in a highly compact design with frame dimensions of 357 x 342 x 388mm (not including filament spool), offering an overall build volume of 230 x 225 x 205mm.

Other specifications include a nozzle diameter of 0.4mm, with the capability to handle a recommended filament diameter of 2.85mm. Operating temperatures of the print nozzle and heated bed are +180 – 260°C and +50 – 100°C, respectively.

The printer comes with a standalone SD-card for 3D-model file upload and Ultimaker’s Cura open-source software, which essentially slices a 3D-model into the requisite layers in preparation for printing.

Manufactured by BEEVERYCREATIVE, the new easy-to-use BEETHEFIRST desktop 3D printer also uses fused filament fabrication (FFF) technology and accepts 1.75mm-diameter PLA filament materials in many different colours. Rather than the traditional cube shape typified by many desktop 3D printers, the BEETHEFIRST printer is much narrower in terms of depth with dimensions of 400 x 400 x 140mm (without PLA spool) and weighs as little as 9.5kg.

This professional-quality printer offers a build volume of 190mm x 135mm x 125mm and layer resolution from a high 100 microns (0.1mm) down to 300 microns (0.3mm). The printer has an ambient operating temperature of only +15 to 30°C and does not employ a heated bed.

The printer processes STL 3D-model files, connects to computers via its USB interface, and comes with a cable and the free BEESOFT operating software.

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.