Sindoh makes some of the easiest to use 3D printers you can buy, but now they have a new one.
The Sindoh 3DWOX 2X is a new, larger machine that’s based on their highly successful 3DWOX series, which we covered in depth some time ago. Sindoh is a very mature technology company from Korea that has a history of producing photocopiers. They’ve taken their skills in producing easy-to-use photocopiers to the 3D printer market and deployed products that are indeed very straightforward.
While their initial machine, the DP200 was very successful, it was only a single material machine. That changes with the all-new 3DWOX 2X model.
The machine, as you can see at top, includes two cartridges for filament, each on one side of the build chamber. The cartridges work in a manner similar to the DP200: loading is as simple as inserting them, and the machine automatically heats the hot end to the correct temperature and inserts the filament without human intervention. Now there’s two systems like that.
With two cartridges, you would expect to see two hot ends, and indeed there is in the 2X. But unlike almost every other dual 3D printer, these hot ends are not synchronously mounted: they are entirely independent! Sindoh explains:
3DWOX 2X’s two identical nozzles work interdependently, achieving the highest efficiency possible. The nozzles accompany each other, creating multi-color, multi-material models with precision and accuracy. The nozzles also work separately, reducing the temperature adjustment time and printing time through duplication printing.
That’s not the only improvement on the system. It also incorporates a new print surface. The DP200 included a hard metal surface coated with, I think, PEI material for print adhesion. After printing this plate is removed and you can chip off the print. While it worked very well they do eventually wear out after hundreds of prints and must be replaced.
You’ll note the 3DWOX 2X appears a bit taller than its siblings, and this is true. The build volume on this machine is 228 x 200 x 300mm, up quite a bit from the DP200’s 200 x 200 x 185mm. Larger machine, larger prints. And the dual cartridge system means it has twice the material capacity for single job runs as well, making the larger volume very practical.
(Note: while the 3DWOX systems do use proprietary cartridges, they are actually not particularly expensive, especially if you use their refill system where you swap out the spool and install a new chip.)
Their other previous model, the DP201 had a very different print surface: a rubbery flexible surface with magnetic backing. This material allowed the print to stick well during printing, but would simply peel off afterwards by curling the flexible print plate when it has been removed. The DP201 prints only PLA, however, so this approach could not be directly used by the 2X.
The new 2X has a different approach that is kind of a combination of the two. It uses a metal plate like the DP200, but it is also flexible like the DP201. The magnetically attached plate can be easily removed and then flexed to pop off completed prints with great ease.
Printing noise has also been reduced, although I am surprised because the DP200 and DP201 were actually very quiet machines with their full enclosures. However, Sindoh has pursued silence on the 2X and apparently achieved a noise level of only 40 dB(A). This is similar to the noise created by a slow flow of water or a very quiet desktop computer. In other words, you won’t be hearing much from the 3DWOX 2X.
On the other hand, you will be hearing from the 3DWOX 2X due to another new feature: Voice Guidance.
The 2X now includes an integrated voice that can provide audible status updates. When a job is done, the 3DWOX 2X will say “Print Completed!” This may be useful to some, but most will find the voice feature of more use when performing diagnostic activities on the machine.
Normally you would see printed instructions appear on the color LCD panel, but on the 2X you will also hear them! The machine will literally talk you through any semi-complex procedures you might have to perform. This should make non-technical operators a bit more comfortable when using the 3DWOX 2X.
One thing we’d like to see with the new 2X is the availability of water-soluble support material that could be loaded into one of the extruders. This would enable the machine to very easily 3D print highly complex structures.
As you might expect, the 3DWOX 2X is a bit higher priced than its predecessor the 3DWOX DP200, which by the way has been knocked down from USD$1,299 to only USD$975! Meanwhile, the new 3DWOX 2X can be yours for only USD$3,499 with free shipping.
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