The CubePro Trio from 3D Systems is a 3D printer capable of printing with up to three colors of ABS, PLA, and Nylon materials, at resolutions as fine as 70 microns. Design models up to 7.3 x 10.75 x 9.5" in volume, or larger if using just one or two extruders, and the CubePro will build them by melting plastic in thin sheets, depositing layer upon layer until they form a three-dimensional object.
Filaments for the CubePro come in smart cartridges that detect the type and quantity of material in the cartridge, which prompts the CubePro to adjust printing settings accordingly. The triple extruders work with over 20 colors of filament to produce thousands of possible color combinations for your prints.
Also included is 3D Systems' Cubify Invent software, which allows you to create and modify 3D designs in preparation for printing. You can also design your model in any other CAD software, because the CubePro software will convert your .stl file to the .cubepro extension that your CubePro will print. Transfer your .cubepro file onto the included USB stick and insert directly into your printer, or send it wirelessly via Wi-Fi from your desktop.
The fully-assembled CubePro Trio comes with white, neon green, and red ABS cartridges, 25 free designs, and a USB stick to help you start printing right out of the box.
The print modes determine how much plastic is used to make the part, how long it will take to print, and how strong it will be. CubePro can print in three different print modes: lines, diamonds and honeycomb.
- Lines mode is appropriate for building parts that do not require internal structural strength.
- Diamonds mode is geared for self-supporting parts that require minimal internal structural strength and lower requirement for flat top surfaces.
- Honeycomb works when you need both great internal structural strength and optimum flat top surfaces.
- Nylon can be used to make strong, durable and functional parts. It is compatible with autoclave sterilization and is resistant to gasoline. It is also biocompatible and hence can be used in medical applications requiring USP class VI compliance.
- Nylon is a durable material resistant to high temperatures that has a high strength to weight ratio, which makes it suitable for end-use parts for engineering as well as parts requiring secondary operations like painting, machining, or adhesive bonding.
- Nylon is used in a wide array of applications, like automobile parts such as gas tanks, dashboards, enclosures and housings, snap-fit parts and living hinges, aircraft and motor parts, medical parts and more.
Although the CubePro software lets you orient, scale, and add supports to your 3D model, it is not a design tool. In addition, the CubePro Software offers:
- Clear and intuitive interface
- Tested default settings for all CubePro 3D printers
- Ability to create custom profiles as needed
- Imperial/ metric conversion available
- Built-in STL file verification
- Combined part and tool path viewer
- Profiles for multiple material/support materials