Keyence GX-1000 Targets Large-Format Industrial 3D Printing

Keyence has introduced the GX-1000, a large-format FFF 3D printer designed for tooling, jigs, and fixtures, as well as rapid prototyping. Featuring a spacious 300 mm x 300 mm x 400 mm build chamber, dual print heads, and precise temperature control, the system is designed to improve reliability on large or complex prints. By enabling in-house production of custom fixtures, the GX-1000 can help manufacturers reduce lead times, costs, and supply chain delays.

Keyence GX-1000 series 3D printer. Image used courtesy of Keyence

Why Large Volume Prints?

Large production parts require fixtures and tooling that will adequately handle the workpiece during process operations. Custom tooling often means long lead times, pricey replacement stock, and delayed or halted production until the jig arrives from the third-party vendor.

Additive manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing, are used to make large tooling assemblies due to the flexibility in geometry and materials. Welded or bolted assemblies are limited by standard sizes and configurations. Also, these are either difficult, time-consuming, or require specialized tools and training to make in-house.

Challenges with Large Volume Prints

Bigger, however, is not always better. Large-volume prints are plagued with problems, mostly stemming from the printer itself. Without a well-designed printer, temperature control is a major issue for large-volume parts. Large parts will sag or require additional scaffolding and support structures compared to smaller parts. They also require longer printing times, making them more likely to be interrupted and generate scrap. For these reasons, large volume printing often seems out of reach, especially at production-level part counts.

GX-1000 Series 3D Printers

This is where Keyence’s GX-1000 shines. Instead of avoiding additive manufacturing of large-volume parts, the GX-1000 is designed to overcome these challenges and produce quality prints to meet quick production schedules. Large parts or multiple small parts can be printed in its 300 mm x 300 mm x 400 mm chamber.

Large volume parts, such as this cutaway engine template, can be printed with the GX-1000 Printer. Image used courtesy of Keyence

Besides printing large components, the GX-1000 can also print multiple materials simultaneously with dual print heads. This allows support structures to be made from one material and the actual part from another. By doing so, the separation of the support structures and the final part can be easily performed.

Potential Applications

The Keyence GX-1000 printer is specifically designed to produce tooling and jigs for materials processing. Often, tooling jigs, stands, setter plates, and other devices used to hold custom workpieces must be machined off-site. They are expensive and inconvenient to replace, sometimes with long lead times that can slow or halt production while a replacement jig is sourced.

With the addition of a GX-1000 printer, some of these fixtures can be created in-house. Furthermore, the initial design of the tooling can be printed and tested in-house, without multiple “back and forth” trials between the tooling manufacturer and the production facility. Ultimately, the GX-1000 makes rapid prototyping and deployment of new designs significantly less cumbersome and reduces reliance on the tooling supply chain.