There aren’t many machines capable of 3D printing ceramics (find an in-depth overview here). Not only are there just a handful of machines commercially available, also the process hasn‘t changed much in years.
Kwambio, an NYC-based startup, wants to offer a new angle. They built their high-precision 3D printer, Ceramo One, specifically for 3D printing of ceramic objects. The company will reveal the Ceramo One at CES in Las Vegas (Booth #51545, January 8-12, 2018).
Backed by venture capital, Kwambio launched its factory in Ukraine – the “first specialized in ceramics 3D printing factory in Europe”. The company partnered with designers to produce unique products on-demand, mainly jewelry, homewares, pieces of decor, custom technical parts, and even bone substitute implants.
In 2017, Kwambio 3D printed over 10,000 different objects.
Ceramo One Uses Binder Jetting to 3D Print Ceramic Objects
From the very beginning, Kwambio’s engineers faced a problem, as existing 3D printers couldn’t print a ceramic object with the high precision and speed they wanted.
Most 3D printing companies print a mold, then pour a ceramic mixture into it to create a traditional cast. Before firing, part of the mold has to be removed. The rest will be disintegrated in the fire. With glazing, it takes around 10 days to make a cup. As Kwambio puts it: This “barely can be called a 3D printing process”.
Kwambio radically shortened the production time by creating a new way of binder jetting ceramic powders, which allows to 3D print objects layer by layer without compromising precision. Kwambio’s “Ceramo One” prototype is used daily at their factory in Ukraine.
Ceramo One prints with 160 mm per second at a height of 20 micrometers. A ceramic cup can be manufactured in just some hours. The price per square centimeter is 8 cents instead of the usual 12 to 15 cents. The build volume is 350 x 350 x 380 cm.
Kwambio offers a palette of 100 colors of ceramic powder; also there are materials that are usable for industrial and even aerospace needs.
There’s no price tag or release date yet – we’ll keep you posted.
(Source: Press Release)
Website: LINK
