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Current developments in hardware: ongoing efforts to increase efficiency

25 Jun 2025

Looking at the hardware innovations unveiled in recent weeks, there is a clear trend toward even greater cost-effectiveness. The latest inventions feature increasingly affordable and precise printers, solutions for automating desktop printers, and printer components that give AM users even more bang for their buck.

SCANcube-VI-7c
The new Scancube IV 7 makes AM production more efficient. Image: Scanlab

Text: Thomas Masuch

Faster scanning and production

With its new Scancube IV 7, Scanlab promises optimized scanning performance and a significant increase in printing speed in the field of SLS manufacturing. This includes writing speeds of up to 1,840 cps and a wide range of application-specific tunings. In addition, the unit’s power compatibility has been increased to up to 300 W. Its technical design, which facilitates operation without cooling, is intended to simplify integration into a wide variety of machine concepts. The Scancube IV 7 rounds out the Scancube IV product family, which already includes scan heads with 10- and 14-millimeter apertures.

Heygears
HeyGears has made its UltraCraft Reflex RS Turbo more efficient. Image: HeyGears

Improved precision and durability

The new UltraCraft Reflex RS Turbo from HeyGears is a revised version of the established Reflex RS 3D printer. Among its key technical updates are an optimized exposure unit and a more precise Z-axis module. Enhanced Amber Screen technology also reduces unwanted light scattering during the printing process, ensuring more uniform layer exposure and improved edge sharpness of components. In addition, the printer features the precision-manufactured C5-Grad Z-axis module guidance system, which HeyGears says limits positional errors to ±2 µm. Motion control is based on the company's proprietary Dynamic Motion 3.0 algorithm generation, which, according to internal comparison tests, can increase printing speeds by up to 33 percent depending on the geometry and material used.

autofarm3d
The door opens automatically with the help of the new “AutoFarm3D Door Opener.” Image: 3DQue

Automated door opening

3DQue, which specializes in the automation of desktop printers, is now offering the new AutoFarm3D Door Opener as a solution for various Bambu models (X1C, P1S, P1P, E). This is the manufacturer's response to the trend toward increasingly closed desktop printers. With the new solution, the print head can push finished components off the platform into a collection container. The process is controlled by the AutoFarm3D software, which can also be used to manage print jobs, statistical evaluations, and status monitoring.

sovol
Sovol has launched a successful Kickstarter campaign for the SV08 Max. Image: Sovol

Large format for less than $1,000

A number of printers, some of which are also suitable for industrial use, are becoming increasingly affordable. This is clearly demonstrated by Sovol's Kickstarter campaign: In it, the new SV08 Max could be pre-ordered for less than $1,000, and by the end of June 2025, a total of around $550,000 had already been raised. The printer offers a build volume of 500 × 500 × 500 mm, CoreXY kinematics, linear guides, and an aluminum frame. Contactless leveling via an eddy current sensor measures the 500 × 500 mm print area in less than 90 seconds. The printing platform consists of an 8-mm-thick aluminum plate with 1,300 W heating power that enables it to reach up to 100°C. The hot end temperature is a maximum of 300°C. Klipper is used as the software, and slicing is done with Orcaslicer. The SV08 Max is equipped with Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz), USB, HDMI, and Ethernet. An integrated HD camera enables live monitoring of the printing process.

Further Information

www.3dque.com

www.heygears.com

www.kickstarter.com

www.scanlab.de