Belgian FGF (Fused Granulate Fabrication) 3D printers manufacturer Colossus and Dutch material supplier colorFabb signed a partnership agreement regarding pushing high-efficient large-format 3D printing with the usage of foam granular polymers (We’ve written about large-format 3D printing before. As an example, read our review of the Modix Big-60 3D printer).

Colossus, a developer and manufacturer of large-format 3D printers, got exclusive rights to distribute foam polymers of the LW (lightweight) line by colorFabb. The aim is to offer a full range of materials and devices. The new additive system named Colossus XP is adapted to work with these new granular materials. colorFabb already offers PLA-based foam polymers (LW-PLA), as well the ones based on acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (LW-ASA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (varioShore TPU). The first to be offered in a granular format for the Colossus XP would be LW-PLA that is out since 2019 and is popular among aircraft modelers, cosplayers and drone makers.

Philippe-Daniel Merillet., CEO of Colossus, explains: “The first time we encountered the LW material range, we immediately recognized the opportunities it would bring to the FGF market. [...] Imagine [applying] the principle of printing twice as fast or twice as light to large-scale industrial systems. Printing and alternating these effects with the same pellets, machine and even G-code. It’s revolutionary.”

He adds: “In print services around the world, cost is a function of material price plus printing time. Higher layer heights allow for reduced print times. it's like having a 4.5K/h extruder capable of 9k/h, and the ability to print only percentages of the normal weight, what’s not to love? It will change the way people print from this moment onwards.”

New materials will be available at the same time as the Colossus XS would be. The printer is made using the extrusion technologies by Weber. The device features a build volume of 1600 x 1200 x 1300 mm and its extruder’s speed is 4.5 kg per hour. Pre-orders for the desktop version started in June 2021, for the portable version: in December 2021. More information is available at the official website of Colossus.

Colossus and colorFabb Push Large-Format 3D Printing with Foaming Polymers