For many novice users, 3D printing can be a time-consuming and challenging experience. While rapid prototyping is a term often thrown around in the community, it can still be daunting to wait for hours or days while for your design slowly comes to life.
In recent years, with the advent of higher-speed printers, 3D printing enthusiasts are now getting a faster and smarter printing experience. On September 15th, Geeetech’s new 3D printer, called Thunder, will be made available for crowdfunding on Kickstarter. Reaching a lightning-fast print speed of up to 300mm/s printing speed, this 3D printer aims to continue the industry’s movement towards speed.
All that speed will come at an affordable price. The manufacturer will give super early bird backers a chance to acquire the Geeetech Thunder for just $399.
Geetech Thunder Hits Kickstarter: Here’s What Backers Can Get
Upon release onto the market, the retail price of Geeetech Thunder 3D printer will be $699. The manufacturer will offer discounted pricing via its Kickstarter campaign, starting as low as $399.
According to Geeetech, the Thunder 3D printer has already gone through thousands of tests and is currently in mass production. Shipment is scheduled to start in 2022 by early November. After the campaign ends, Thunder will start go on sale on Geeetech official website for the full retail price. Until then, Kickstarter backers will have access to the rolling pricing showcased below.
Geeetech Thunder Offers High Speed 3D Printing of up to 300mm/s
Compared to traditional FDM 3D printers, which typically offer a modest printing speed of up to 100mm/s, Geeetech Thunder allows users to print at speeds ranging from 50 to 300mm/s. This high-speed 3D printer also features rapid acceleration of up to 5000mm/²for the X-axis and 4000mm² for the Y-axis.
Depending on the complexity of the 3D design, users can reduce printing time by 30%-70%, allowing for faster iterations and production quantities. While printing at high speeds on the Thunder, the print quality is reportedly not degraded. The machine will offer 4 pre-set printing modes: Slow mode, Normal mode, Fast mode, and Crazy mode. Geeetech Thunder also enables a user mode, allowing users to set and share their own customized parameters and printing settings.
Innovative Technology Helps Geeetech Achieve High Speed 3D Printing
The excellent speed of the Thunder 3D printer is achieved by all-metal construction, X/Y axis closed-loop control, an advanced software algorithm, Y axis damping mechanism, 5 cooling fans, dual CPU control and highly efficient extrusion system.
The all-metal frame design increases the weight of the machine, reducing the center of gravity and increasing stability, allowing for fast speeds and extreme acceleration. Geeetech Thunder also adopts a closed-loop driver. Compared with open-loop driver, when using the same stepper motor, closed-loop driver can produce greater torque, allowing the printer to intelligently monitor the printing process and respond in real time. Combined with the dual CPU control, Thunder can allocate and manage tasks effectively and respond immediately in situations related to high-speed printing.
Geeetech Thunder is specially designed a professional damping structure for the Y axis, which intelligently manages the speed changing and largely reduces the vibration rate of the machine. It allows for smoother movement of the print bed, which also increases overall print quality.
To properly handle high speed printing, Thunder is equipped with a highly efficient extrusion system with a dual-drive gear extruder. This extruder system features a large volume nozzle and 70W heating rod.
A strong cooling system is also a must-have feature for high-speed 3D printer. Geeetech Thunder is designed with two high-volume cooling fans for the hot end. To successfully ensure each layer is properly extruded at such a rapid speed, the manufacturer has also added two larger auxiliary part cooling fans.
Together, these 4 fans can be turned on with the “One-button Strong Cooling Mode” setting, offering super strong cooling while the model is being printed, increasing print quality and the printer’s success rate. The hotend fan can run at 150% speed, while the auxiliary fan operates at 100% speed.
Additional Adds-on to Get with the Geeetech Thunder
Along with the Geeetech Thunder 3D printer, the manufacturer has also developed HS-PLA, specifically engineered for high-speed 3D printing. Compared with normal PLA, HS-PLA has stronger fluidity when it’s in a molten state, enabling smoother discharge during the high-speed printing process, as well as faster curing speed and less deformation during extrusion.
Printing with the HS-PLA filament complements the fast speed of the Thunder 3D printer, ensuring high quality prints with a delicate surface. Geeetech is offering the HS-PLA filament as adds-on in Geeetech THUNDER Kickstarter campaign. The price for three rolls of filament is $75 and $138 for 6 rolls.