Apr
Bondtech INDX, LEARN, NEWS
What IN means, in Bondtech INDX
INDX is a novel solution for tool changer systems composed of a single smart tool head serving a limitless amount of thin passive tools.
Multi-color, multi-material, and multi-nozzle applications found the smartest solution available, and we believe it will influence the whole filament 3D printing market from now on.
Visit the INDX info pageTwo weeks ago we revealed what DX in INDX means. The Dynamic eXtruder is reactive, it self-adjusts to filament type, volumetric flow and other printing conditions. It sets the proper filament pre-tension on its own.
The DX is based on our latest patent pending, filament feeding technology, now named Dynamic Dual Drive.
Today though, we are here to talk about the IN in INDX
How did we arrive here
There is a little parallel story behind how we got here. Let me share it with you.
Over 3 years ago, working as Product Manager at Bondtech, I started asking our Engineers, and to Engineers at our Partners, a very convoluted question:
“Why do we heat-up a wire, to heat-up a cement, to heat-up a capsule, to heat-up a heat-block, to heat-up a nozzle, to melt plastic?”
Eyebrows were raised all the time, even though… it is pretty convoluted, right? The process in itself, not just the question. Everyone agreed. A new way was necessary. Could we heat up the nozzle directly?
We needed some resources to investigate that.
We ordered some sets of Mini Induction Coil Heaters. Distributed a couple over our Engineers and did a steel bar heating-up measurement.
While testing, that mini heater could raise the temperature of a massive 12mm diameter steel bar, up to way over 200C in less than 15 seconds.
Impressive, but long way from being a product. Knowing about induction heating doesn’t make it a ready-to-use solution for our customers. We knew it would take vast time and resources we didn’t have at the time. Matter adjourned.
The story resumed about one year later to the likes of so many others…
“An inventor knocked on our door to present us some breakthrough ideas.”
It was a collection of ideas bundled into patent submissions and a raw but practical demo. One working freaking demo! All together just brilliant. Among other raw and ready-to-use concepts, one idea stood out and brought back old thoughts — the core idea behind the IN in INDX.
IN is for INduction
Super Fast heating with INduction
Electromagnetic forces are used to heat up the INDX nozzles in a few seconds, using low power. The novel approach of combining the effect with the low thermal mass of the nozzles was key for the blazing fast performance.
How does it work? An INduction coil directly and rapidly increases the temperature of the nozzle by using electromagnetic induction that creates eddy currents to generate heat within its material.
Basicaly the wheel re-invented. Not totaly new, but never used this way either. Almost a direct energy-to-plastic transmission. No convoluted steps in between. Pure efficiency.
From those starting ideas much has evolved in the last 2 years. At Bondtech we took it to another level and put much work on industrial design, reliability, safety, fine tunning and application.
It took us that much to get here, and the path is far from ending. The INDX is still in a state of flux. The geometries are not frozen. Much feedback is being received from our community of makers and creators.
As a proof of concept, we believe the INDX earned its stripes already, but work continues.
We also need your creativity and ingenuity to implement the INDX the best we can. Drop on us some (good : ) ideas here.
Also visit our INDX page and talk to us about multi-material printing.
Join our Discord or our Facebook group.
Thank you.
If this uses induction heating, can it print metal/magnetic filament?