Founded in 2013 in Massachusetts, the American company Markforged develops and designs 3D solutions for industrial companies. With customers such as Google, Amazon, General Electric or Ford, the company is now one of the main players in the sector. After unveiling in 2016 one of the first 3D printers capable of extruding carbon fiber-based filaments, Markforged continues to innovate in 3D printers. Among its flagship machines is the Mark X7. According to the manufacturer, the machine would be a revolutionary way to obtain industrial parts in a few hours and not in a few weeks. Indeed, it would be able to design parts with functional requirements (fire resistance, chemical resistance, energy absorption, high resolution, draft parts), thanks to its printing modes capable of manufacturing any functional part.
Features of the Mark X7
The Mark X7 is part of the Mark X range from the American company Markforged, an industrial line which also includes the Mark X3 and Mark X5. It is the most complete model. Thanks to its large printing volume, the printer can produce dedicated parts for the fields of robotics, automotive, with for example functional prototypes or prostheses. Among the different features of the Mark X7 compared to its younger siblings, the printer includes several innovations such as the laser inspection of parts in real time. It is also distinguished by the list of compatible materials: Onyx, Nylon for plastics and Fiberglass, HSHT Fiberglass, Carbon Fiber, Kevlar for support materials. The Mark X7 3D printer offers a manufacturing volume of 330 x 270 x 200 mm for a point accuracy of about 50 microns.
Finally, as for the 3D printing process, with the company’s proprietary 3D software, users are able to design their parts before uploading them to the browser-based software and choosing from a wide range of composite filaments and continuous fibers. Finally, all that needs to be done is to press print.
