Epson prepares to launch an open-material 3D printer

Seiko Epson Corp. is developing an extrusion-style 3D printer that additively manufactures parts from a variety of third-party resin and metal pellets.

The industrial printer’s extruder is configured like a flattened screw (see photo). Extruded materials are precisely controlled by regulating the pressure within the head, as well as the modeling speed and surface temperature of the part being printed.

Epson aims to commercialize the machine after making needed refinements. These design tweaks will partly be an outgrowth of what the company learns from using the printer internally to volume-produce parts for other commercial and industrial equipment.