Concr3de Armadillo Green - Industrial binder jetting 3D printer

Concr3de, founded in 2016, are a brand specialized in developing cutting-edge binder jetting 3D printing technologies. With a background in architecture and a dream to transform abstract ideas into tangible objects, Concr3de has created a versatile ecosystem accessible to creators seeking novel material properties and unprecedented scalability, enabling the additive manufacturing of physical objects in any size on an industrial scale. The brand's mission encompasses guidance, customization, testing, and fostering collaborative development ventures.

What is binder jetting?

Exploring the benefits of binder jetting 3D printing reveals insights for businesses. Unlike traditional manufacturing with its wasteful subtractive or casting processes, binder jetting constructs objects layer by layer, minimizing waste and offering sustainability. This cost-effective technology, exemplified by the CONCR3DE Armadillo printers, demonstrates remarkable scalability, producing up to 100 liters per day even at a smaller scale, outperforming traditional FDM printers by almost 50 times.

Additive manufacturing via binder jetting with the Concr3de ecosystem consists of the following steps: (1) loading and processing the STL/OBJ files in the laminating software, (2) powder loading (feed bed low, print bed high), (3) powder spreading, (4) binder jetting, (5) the print is complete, encapsulated in powder, (6) depowdering, (7) part is ready for post-processing.

Image 1: The binder jetting process. Source: Concr3de.

Binder jetting's cost-effectiveness is emphasized by its use of low-cost materials, including potential utilization of waste like sawdust. Operating at room temperature reduces energy consumption, and the process involves minimal equipment investment. The method's material versatility, showcased by open-platform Armadillo printers, allows printing from various powders, serving diverse industries like automotive, medical, and aerospace. Beyond traditional manufacturing constraints, binder jetting excels in creating complex designs with intricate details, optimizing final parts for material efficiency and lightweight structures. Ongoing research and development initiatives position binder jetting as a technology with limitless potential and significant advantages across sectors.

Armadillo Green

The Armadillo Green 3D printer is specifically crafted for printing eco-friendly, natural materials. It is engineered to utilize Concr3de's distinctive biodegradable Bio Binder, enabling the printing of various types of sawdust, coffe grounds or seaweed grounds. Millions of tons of these materials end up in landfills each year but with Armadillo Green they can be repurposed into high quality creations with unique properties, such as excellent strength and the look-and-feel of actual wood (post-processable like real wood) when sawdust is used. With the Armadillo Green printer, the user has the capability to transform bio-based waste materials into completely new decorative or functional objects with high complexity and quality. Some examples of what can be made with Armadillo Green include furniture, home decor, interior design, product design, automotive, packaging, and more.

Image 2: A Moái 3D printed with the Armadillo Green printer. Source: Concr3de.

Concr3de's Bio Binder stands out as an eco-conscious and chemical-free substance, characterized by its food-safe and fully biodegradable properties. Leveraging a naturally occurring polymer, Bio Binder facilitates the 3D printing of various powder-based biomaterials through the Armadillo Green printer, with an almost inexistant carbon footprint and user safety due to the binder's non-toxicity. Beyond its role as a binder for bio-based materials, this innovative Bio Binder extends its versatility to the creation of personalized water-soluble tooling and molds. This binder by Concr3de opens the way to novel applications in line with the circular economy philosophy, especially in design and the food industry.

Image 3: A wooden hex plate 3D printed with the Armadillo Green printer. Source: Concr3de.

With a spacious print box measuring 370 x 260 x 250 mm (48 liters), Armadillo Green provides ample room for intricate creations. If the print scale is smaller, the reduction insert will allow for the use of less than 1 liter of powder, thus making the workflow more sustainable and efficient. The printhead precision of 400 DPI allows for precise and high-quality prints with a layer height of 300 µm at a speed of 42 mm/hour. Armadillo Green offers connectivity via Ethernet, with the cable included, and the power requirements are 2 x 230 V. The printer's overall dimensions are 1600 x 1200 x 1600 mm, with space requirements of 2400 x 2000 x 2200 mm. Despite its robust capabilities, the Armadillo Green 3D printer maintains a manageable weight of 450 kg, making it a formidable choice for professionals seeking precision and reliability in their 3D printing endeavors.

Image 4: A violin pegbox 3D printed with the Armadillo Green printer (after post-processing). Source: Concr3de.

For projects demanding an expanded construction volume beyond the standard, the XL size add-on is available for the Armadillo Green 3D printer. This XL add-on extends the printing dimensions to 440 x 440 x 250 mm, increasing the production capacity to approximately 96 liters. This add-on also increases the space requirements for the printer's installation to 3100 x 2200 x 2500 mm, and the printer's weight to 550 kg. This enhancement broadens the possibilities for carrying out additive manufacturing on an industrial scale.

Image 5: Customized knobs 3D printed with the Armadillo Green 3D printer. Source: Concr3de.

Armadillo Green comes equipped with the integrated NOAH software. NOAH runs on integrated optimized hardware with an intuitive user interface and provides comprehensive control over every aspect of the 3D printing process, allowing users to manage printing parameters and all Armadillo add-ons with precision. 

Image 6: The NOAH software. Source: Concr3de.

Following the completion of the print, depowdering must be performed. Concr3de offers a highly efficient solution for that in the form of the standalone Depowdering Station with a rotating platform and integrated air compressor and industrial vacuum facilitates the clean, dust-free and precise removal and recycling of any unused powders. 

Sustainable and circular AM

The Armadillo Green 3D printer is designed for eco-friendly printing using Concr3de's biodegradable Bio Binder. This binder facilitates the use of diverse biomaterials like sawdust, coffee grounds, or seaweed grounds, turning bio-based waste into high-quality, customizable creations. The integrated NOAH software provides precise control over the printing parameters and add-ons, and efficient and clean depowdering of the parts can be performed with the help of the Concr3de's Depowdering Station, promoting a sustainable and user-friendly 3D printing process.

Image 7: A wooden decorative structure 3D printed with the Armadillo Green 3D printer. Source: Concr3de.

The Armadillo Green 3D printer is a prime example of the binder jetting technology, showcasing its cost-effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability, outperforming traditional FDM printers and challenging the boundaries of 3D printing. Armadillo Green is an embodiment of what's greates about binder jetting - its minimal waste production, low-cost materials, and versatility in creating intricate and large-scale designs. Overall, the Armadillo Green 3D printer by Concr3de, complemented by its Bio Binder and supporting ecosystem, represents a significant leap in additive manufacturing, offering professionals a reliable, precise, and sustainable solution for a range of applications in diverse industries.