The Colossus is a GIGANTIC 3D Printer built directly into a shipping container, designed to print with recycled plastics and create everything from tooling to furniture -- at rapid speed, and ridiculously low cost.

Colossus is a start-up enterprise in Limburg, Belgium, whose name says it all: the company possesses one of the largest transportable plastic 3D printers. It was developed by the Colossus team in cooperation with machine builder IMA from Houthalen in Belgium. The printer’s trailblazing controls come from Beckhoff and not only control the traversing axes in the machine, but also the temperature of the extruder in the print head.

The Colossus 3D printers are the first FGF printing systems designed with a special accent on materials for furniture, construction applications and large size 3D objects. It also prints with recycled materials, combining cutting-edge technology to give plastics a second life. We want to break down the barrier of entry for designers to sell not only their designs but make their vision into objects without current limitations. As well as develop 3D technology for the commercial markets. Furniture, Art, Molds, Automotive, prototyping, small series designs, everything is possible.

Colossus plans to manufacture large functional or decorative objects such as outdoor furniture and ornaments with a new 3D printer that processes recycled plastics as the raw material, which creates further special requirements. In addition, the 3D printer will be installed in a container and transported to trade shows and festivals as an “eye-catcher.” To ensure that visitors of such events are able to experience and follow the fascination of 3D manufacturing live, the products must be created quickly – much faster than standard technologies currently allow. In short, Colossus tasked machine manufacturer IMA with a very ambitious project.

The recycled materials are processed using the Fused Granular Fabrication (FGF) process, in which a plastic granulate is melted in an extruder and the end product is created by applying layer after layer of the material.

Colossus printers support impressive print speeds because of direct pellet extrusion. Every printer comes fully equipped with a granulate fed extruder printhead and a dehumidification unit for better print quality. The heated bed features a vacuum function for easy print removal. Apart from its many functional advantages, Colossus print Systems are fully scalable and can be customized to your requirements. It can be used as a transportable or fixed unit; the system is easy to add on and upgrade. Everything from size to the output of extruder to the heated bed is configurable – even software add-ons and screw types. This flexibility makes their 3D printing systems relevant to host of applications and industry sectors. It also comes with innovative remote debugging software and connectivity system so that engineers can help fix problems remotely and in real time. Training, service and maintenance contracts will be provided to ensure that the machines can be used to their full capacity.

The transportable Factory

The vision behind Colossus 3D printers is twofold:

1. Make fast, cost-effective, adaptable and configurable printers that will always get bigger.

2. To build a printer made for materials; we want to use 3D technology to give plastic waste a useful second life and develop materials for all applications. Doing our part to make a greener world.

Colossus Mark II is their second-generation printer and it is a big upgrade from the Mark I. It has a larger build volume, a lighter frame and higher temperature build plate. With integrated cooling, improved dynamic movement and retraction it can handle a host of amazing materials. It remains easily transportable but has better remote-control features and control. Perfect for small to medium series manufacturing. This system, as well as all others, are fully customizable. Let us know what you would like to print and we will help you develop and build the mark II especially to facilitate your requirements.

They're partly owned by Mitsubishi Chemical, so we expect to see more material offerings in the near future :)

At Vision Miner, we specialize in Functional 3D printing, especially high-performance plastics like PEEK, ULTEM, PPSU, PPS, CFPA, and more. If you're interested in using functional 3D printing and materials in your business, feel free to reach out, and we can help you make the right choice for your application. Call 833-774-6863 or email [email protected], and we're here to help!

www.colossusprinters.com