BigRep Unveils ALTRA 280, IPSO 105 3D Printers

BERLIN, Germany, May 29, 2024 – BigRep, considered to be one of the global leaders in large-scale fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing, announced the launch of two high-temperature 3D printers – the ALTRA 280 and the IPSO 105. These two 3D printers are well known in the European region formerly as PRECISE and MEX and originate from the previously announced planned acquisition of HAGE3D GmbH. The updated machines are engineered to meet the needs of the most demanding industrial applications from aerospace to defense to automotive, and to offer speed, reliability, precision, and automation. These machines have been rolled out in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and are available for purchase starting now.

The ALTRA 280 and IPSO 105 update the company’s portfolio to include high-temperature FFF 3D printing and expand into new applications, that can print the full range of standard to high-performance polymers. They have an open material system for a broad filament choice, either with BigRep’s quality filaments or 3rd party compatible materials.

The highlights of the BigRep ALTRA 280 are the large, heated 280-liter build chamber (500mm x 700mm x 800mm), that reaches temperatures up to 180°C, state-of-the-art DSX extruders reaching up to 450°C, and the fully automated quick start. With up to 4 DSX extruders, the ALTRA 280 is designed to achieve reliable dual extrusion, additionally safeguarded by their respective backup extruders. Designed for productivity, the machine enables flawless prints and functional parts.

While smaller in size, the BigRep IPSO 105, is a large-scale industrial 3D printer with impressive temperature capabilities. It is an industry all-rounder at an attractive price-to-performance ratio in the high-temperature machine category. Designed for tooling applications requiring high-performance materials, the IPSO 105 is engineered to be a tool maker’s tool, with a heated build chamber of 105 liters (400mm x 600mm x 440mm) reaching up to 100°C, and a print bed heated up to 180°C. It features dual DSX extruders, capable of printing high-performance materials up to 450°C. The 3D printer shares some of the key features with its big sister, the ALTRA 280, such as the fully automated quick start.

Dr.-Ing. Sven Thate, managing director of BigRep GmbH commented, “We are proud to extend our portfolio towards high-performance filament extrusion with our open system approach, thereby aiming to double the addressable market of our solutions with the technology from HAGE3D, our recently announced planned acquisition. For our European customers, both the ALTRA 280 and IPSO 105 are considered game-changing industrial AM solutions at different scales that come with all temperature capabilities, unlocking wide material options. Backed by our 3D printing ecosystem of an intuitive software suite, global customer service, and an eLearning platform, we have customer’s success in focus as we expand our offering to high-performance applications.”

Key features of the ALTRA 280 include:

  • Large-Scale 3D Printing: A generous build volume of 500 mm x 700 mm x 800mm (volume of 280 liters) designed to produce intricate fully-fledged prototypes, production, and end-use parts. 
  • High-Temperature Capabilities: Prints with high-performance materials such as ULTEM 9085 and PEEK (AM200) up to 450°C, enabling the production of strong, lightweight parts even for challenging industrial applications. 
  • Uninterrupted Productivity: Equipped with up to four DSX extruders, the ALTRA 280 delivers seamless production with dual extruders and two respective backup extruders, enabling reliable performance around the clock. 
  • Fully Automated Quick Start: The ALTRA 280 is designed for easy operation, with fully automated calibration and pre-heating processes, allowing users to start printing at the push of a button.

Key Features of the IPSO 105 include:

  • A Toolmaker’s Build Volume: A build chamber of 400 mm x 600 mm x 440 mm (105 liters), allowing a wide range of applications, from tooling to end-use parts. 
  • High-Temperature Capabilities: With build chamber temperatures of 100°C and print bed temperatures up to 180°C, IPSO 105 prints with a variety of engineering-grade and high-performance materials such as PEKK and PEKK-CF. 
  • Dual Extrusion: The dual DSX extrusion system is designed to ensure uninterrupted printing with multi-material or multi-color parts, expanding design possibilities and functionality. 
  • Automated Seamless Production: The quick start feature, out-of-filament sensors, and automatic switching to a backup extruder in case of an irregularity maximize productivity and reliability.

Thomas Janics, managing director HAGE3D GmbH said, “We believe that both machines will transform the way manufacturers approach additive manufacturing, especially in the aerospace, military, and automotive segments, where high-performance parts are crucial.

They are a combination of reliability, precision, large volume, and high-temperature capabilities and are engineered to push the boundaries of what’s possible with AM.”

About BigRep 

With more than 1,000 large-scale 3D printers already in operation across various industrial sectors, BigRep has earned its reputation with its expertise in large-scale FFF. The German-manufactured 3D printers empower engineers, designers, and manufacturers, spanning from startups to Fortune 100 corporations. Its vision is to expedite the transition from prototyping to production, ensuring products get to market quickly. 

For more information, visit https://bigrep.com/.