MakerBot simplifies ABS 3D printing with water-soluble support material

MakerBot RapidRinse™ Support and ABS-R model material

These two materials make 3D printing industrial components from ABS just as easy as 3D printing with PLA.

MakerBot has introduced a groundbreaking new solution that significantly simplifies 3D printing with ABS material. It simplifies the workflow and reduces the need for additional equipment and associated costs. The new MakerBot RapidRinse™ and ABS-R materials are compatible with the MakerBot METHOD X and METHOD X Carbon Fiber 3D printers. The ABS-R is suitable for printing a range of industrial applications, from manufacturing tools to production parts.

Water-soluble support material for ABS

RapidRinse is a new and unique fast-dissolving support material that dissolves in warm tap water. This eliminates the need for expensive finishing equipment and chemicals required by other dissolvable support materials. Under the same conditions, MakerBot RapidRinse dissolves much faster than other soluble high-temperature support ^materials1. Without the use of solvents and additional finishing equipment, working with RapidRinse water-soluble support material is easier and safer. It also leaves minimal residue.

Reformulation of ABS for RapidRinse

ABS is one of the most sought-after, but also one of the most difficult materials to print successfully on a desktop 3D printer. Without the right conditions, it has a high tendency to shrink, warp, bend or crack. ABS-R is a new ABS formulation that offers high reliability and performance for consistent, repeatable ABS prototypes, tooling and parts. ABS-R has been optimized for use with the new, fast-dissolving RapidRinse support. This ensures high print quality and simplicity.

The heated chamber of the METHOD X, the patented VECT™ technology 110 (Variable Environmental Controlled Temperature) and the soluble RapidRinse support materials enable the 3D printing of high-quality ABS parts. The printing process is as simple as printing PLA, but with superior material properties. 3D printing with RapidRinse on the METHOD X enables the production of dimensionally accurate ABS parts with an accuracy of ±0.2 mm^[2]. This means that engineers have more certainty when producing customized parts.

Industrial FDM 3D printing on the desktop

With the METHOD series, MakerBot aims to enable industrial 3D printing on desktop 3D printers. The process is designed to be simple, reliable and accurate. The process is further simplified with RapidRinse and ABS-R. The MakerBot METHOD X is the only desktop 3D printer in its price range with a heated build chamber that can print a range of high-performance polymers and composites with soluble support. In addition, RapidRinse – following the recently introduced Clean Air System – is another step towards more sustainable and safer production.

The launch of RapidRinse and ABS-R strengthens the growing portfolio of advanced materials for the METHOD X. The MakerBot materials for METHOD are formulated to meet the highest standards. METHOD X can print the same polymers, composites and metals used in familiar manufacturing processes, from injection molding to machining. Its modular 6-in-1 extruder platform also enables quick changeover between material groups. This prevents cross-contamination, which would damage the extruders.

The MakerBot METHOD 3D printers have been developed and tested for over half a decade to print non-stop with more than 15 patented technologies from Stratasys. They are designed to reliably deliver prototypes, parts or assemblies and manufacturing tools with high strength and dimensional accuracy.

[1] Based on internal testing that shows RapidRinse filament dissolves significantly faster than competing soluble support materials.[2] 0.2 mm or ± 0.002 mm per mm of travel (whichever is greater). Based on preliminary internal testing of selected geometries.