3DQue Systems Inc. has launched two systems: an automation upgrade for FFF/FDM 3D printers and a high-volume, production-on-demand unit. The QSuite™ and QPoD™ systems offer volume production capabilities that bring plastic parts production in-house.
QSuite eliminates the need for manual tasks such as job scheduling and rescheduling, part removal, print bed reset, and printer restart. Instead it uses a proprietary suite of hardware and software technologies to mass-produce high-quality plastic parts. It comes with automated dynamic scheduling that reprioritizes jobs based on changing deadlines or parts; operates 24/7 in a continuous production loop; provides autonomous part removal and delivery without the use of tapes, glues, or robotics; and gives operators complete control through real-time reporting and management data—all managed remotely so users can do other work while the printer delivers parts.
QPoD is a production-on-demand unit powered by QSuite. It comprises nine printers in a 3 by 3 array with a total footprint of 12 sq. ft. In a field trial, the printers produced switch cube frames (25 by 25 by 25 mm) at a rate equivalent to 100,000 parts per year. The system comes with internal conveyors and collection bins.
