Tumaker Big Foot 500 Modular - FDM/pellet 3D printer

The Big Foot 500 Modular is a large-format FDM/FGF 3D printer created by Tumaker, a manufacturer of industrial 3D printers that combine reliability, versatility, robustness, ease of use, and aesthetics. The Big Foot 500 Modular comes with an enclosure (featuring a fan and HEPA filter), and simple or dual direct extrusion for filament, pellets, or both.

Image 1: Detail of the two extruder types, pellets and filament. Source: Tumaker.

The total build volume also depends on the chosen extrusion system. For detailed build volumes for each variant of the Big Foot 500 Modular printer, please refer to the technical datasheets available in the Downloads section as well as in the Specifications section.

Video 1: The Big Foot 500 Modular 3D printer performs well in environments with shocks, movements, vibrations, and dust. Source: Tumaker.

The Big Foot 500 Modular 3D printer is a robust and durable machine capable of delivering excellent quality despite shocks, movements, vibrations, or dust. In fact, it has been specifically designed to perform in such environments. Its components are manufactured and assembled in Europe, giving the Big Foot 500 Modular maximum reliability and productivity over time.

Tumaker Extrusion Systems

Different manufacturing needs require different extrusion configurations, and Tumaker responds to these needs by allowing the user to choose from 5 different extrusion systems:

1. Single HR Direct Drive extrusion for filament.
2. Single extrusion for pellets.
3. HR Dual Direct Drive extrusion for filament.
4. Dual extrusion for pellets.
5. HR Dual Direct Drive extrusion for filament and pellets.

Single HR Direct Drive extrusion for filament

The Direct Drive HR extrusion system for filaments features a professional print head with a next-generation dual mechanical gear system delivering 10 kg of push force. This force ensures proper filament flow into the nozzle and helps prevent jams or under-extrusion. This extrusion system, available in single or dual versions, is ideal for users who work exclusively or primarily with flexible filaments.

Video 2: 3D printing with the Big Foot 500 Modular 3D printer. Source: Tumaker.

The Big Foot 500 Modular filament extrusion system can reach a maximum temperature of 300 ºC, which enables the use of high-temperature filaments such as ASA, ABS, PETG, HIPS, PC, and flexible materials. Multiple nozzle diameters can be used with the filament extrusion systems, ranging from 0.15 mm to 0.8 mm. The nozzle can heat to the maximum temperature of 300 ºC in around 2 minutes, and the unique ANS ultra-fast nozzle change system allows for direct nozzle replacement.

Image 2: The Big Foot 500 Modular includes models with various extrusion systems. Source: Tumaker.

The Big Foot 500 Modular uses Tumaker’s exclusive quick-change extruders for filament. These extruders provide the highest strategically distributed dual traction force, and the industrial-grade TB6600 drivers (up to 4A) ensure maximum power with the best reliability guarantee.

HR Dual Direct Drive extrusion for filament

The Tumaker HR Dual Direct Drive extrusion system opens a world of possibilities for using different colors and materials in a single print or for 3D printing complex structures with support materials, with no risk of temperature cross-contamination. Big Foot 500 Modular dual extrusion 3D printers also use quick-change extruders in an IDEX extrusion system, meaning each extruder moves independently on the X-axis.

Video 3: Materials compatible with the Big Foot 500 Modular 3D printer. Source: Tumaker.

The extruders used in the Big Foot 500 Modular extrusion system are fully machined, ensuring reliability and durability. The Big Foot 500 Modular IDEX extrusion system also allows for printing in different modes to duplicate objects or create mirrored versions of the same object, significantly increasing productivity.

Image 3: The print head and nozzles of the Big Foot 500 Modular 3D printer. Source: Tumaker.

Additionally, the built-in filament runout sensor ensures safe 3D printing by allowing the user to resume an interrupted print job from where it stopped after loading new filament. Another feature of the Big Foot 500 Modular printer that enhances productivity is the fact that it can work with large-format spools. This solution avoids up to 8 filament changes, reducing user intervention during the printing process and decreasing the risk of failed prints due to filament depletion.

Single and Dual Pellet Extrusion

Single and dual pellet extrusion with Big Foot printers is another step towards making additive manufacturing more accessible and efficient.

Image 4: 3D printed parts from pellets with the Big Foot 500 Modular 3D printer. Source: Tumaker.

3D printing with pellets opens the door to the use of materials not available in filament format, testing of custom-developed materials, or printing with certified pellets for the food, railway, automotive, medical sectors, and many more.

Image 5: Pellet extruder head Big Foot 500 Modular. Source: Tumaker.

The dual extrusion system of the Big Foot 500 Modular for pellets (capable of reaching up to 300ºC) features a Tumaker-designed head with a dual integrated temperature sensor. Recommended material: circular pellets with a diameter of 3–5 mm.

Dual Extrusion for Filament + Pellets

Tumaker has gone one step further by introducing a fifth printing mode: a dual mode in which one head extrudes filament and the other works with pellets.

Image 6: Dual extrusion mode of pellet + filament on the Big Foot 500 Modular. Source: Tumaker.

This level of modularity and versatility makes the Big Foot 500 Modular an extremely valuable and powerful additive manufacturing tool, allowing users to adapt the Big Foot 500 Modular printers to current manufacturing needs and experiment with the complexity of 3D printed parts, as well as with the types and formats of materials used.

Table 1: Extrusion temperatures and compatible materials with Big Foot 500 Modular 3D printers. Source: Tumaker.

Thanks to the high maximum extrusion temperatures and the ability to 3D print with pellets, the Big Foot 500 Modular 3D printer allows the use of a very wide range of materials, from standard basic plastics to flexible and fiber-reinforced engineering materials, as well as ceramic and metal polymers, and high-temperature advanced polymers from the PAEK family.

Efficient and User-Friendly Design

The Big Foot 500 Modular 3D printer is equipped with a 32-bit processor that ensures print stability and enables fast print speeds. The innovative TMC2660 drivers make the Big Foot 500 Modular ultra-quiet, with a noise level of 44 dB (40 dB with the case door closed). High-precision ball screws increase the travel speed of the print heads, and the 45 mm aluminum frame guarantees maximum possible stability.

Image 7: User interface of the Big Foot 500 Modular 3D printer. Source: Tumaker.

The rapid-heating print bed of the Big Foot 500 Modular 3D printer features a continuous automatic calibration system. After initial calibration, the print head scans the build plate, enabling the Big Foot 500 Modular to automatically correct deviations without manual adjustments.

Image 8: The Big Foot 500 Modular 3D printer includes a perpetual Simplify3D license. Source: Simplify3D.

Big Foot 500 Modular offers multiple connectivity options (depending on the model): USB, WiFi, Micro/SD card or Ethernet. The user interface features a 7” color touchscreen, and the printer can be controlled via PC, tablet, or even smartphone. The included software is Simplify3D, with a perpetual license for convenience.

Boost Your Performance

The Tumaker Big Foot 500 Modular is undoubtedly a revolutionary 3D printer, specifically designed for industrial performance. Big Foot 500 Modular breaks the barriers of accessible, efficient, and versatile additive manufacturing. With its fast-heating auto-leveling build plate, quick-change nozzle, wide nozzle diameter range, safety features, and excellent user interface, the Big Foot 500 Modular enables efficient 3D printing with a broad range of materials in filament and pellet format. The variety of available sizes and extruder options make the Big Foot 500 Modular a truly user-friendly 3D printer capable of producing large, complex, high-quality parts even in demanding industrial environments.