Kwambio Showcasing New Ceramics 3D Printer at CES 2018

Headquartered in New York City, innovative 3D printing startup Kwambio got its start in 2015 with the launch of its dynamic 3D file platform, followed soon after by its Unique One 3D printer. Kwambio has partnered with both emerging and established designers from around the globe, working to 3D print on-demand unique, designer products, such as homewares, jewelry, decor, bone substitute implants, and custom technical parts. In 2017 alone, Kwambio 3D printed over 10,000 different objects, which were shipped out to customers in the US and Europe.

Last year, the startup introduced its 3D printing marketplace and free iOS app, and also opened its eco-friendly 3D printing ceramic factory in the Ukraine, thanks to the support from several angel investors and the TechStars accelerator. The facility is the startup’s first in its manufacturing portfolio, and is actually the first specialized ceramics 3D printing factory in all of Europe. Kwambio, which claims to have the best price for 3D printed ceramics, even developed its own proprietary ceramic powder.

Now, Kwambio is continuing its investment in versatile, ceramic-based 3D printing with a brand new 3D printer. The startup just announced that it will be introducing its high precision Ceramo One, the first industrial 3D printer in the world for ceramic materials, at the upcoming CES 2018 in Las Vegas.

Most current 3D printers can’t manufacture ceramic objects with any amount of high speed or precision. Instead, many 3D printing companies that work with ceramics will actually 3D print a mold, and then fill it with a ceramic mixture in order to form a cast. Part of the mold is removed before the piece is fired, and the rest will disintegrate in the fire itself. Combine this process with glazing the object, and it can take around 10 days to 3D print a single cup.

But with its new Ceramo One, which was developed specifically for precision 3D printing of ceramic objects, Kwambio has managed to majorly reduce this production time, without ramping up the cost.

Kwambio CEO Vlad Usov told 3DPrint.com, “Now, it takes only 2-3 hours to 3D print a cup!”

The startup managed this feat by creating a new form of binder jetting 3D printing technology, which works with ceramic powders. Kwambio engineers assembled the Ceramo One, which sped up production and optimized the manufacturing process, in order to implement the brand new technology.

The Ceramo One 3D ceramics printer offers high printing precision, with an accuracy of 20 microns, and a 160 mm per second speed of printing. In addition, the average price per square centimeter of a 3D printed ceramic object’s surface is approximately $0.12-15, and the Ceramo One has reduced this cost to just $0.08 a square centimeter, making the 3D printer a standout among its competitors in the industry.

Technologists at Kwambio developed special clay-based powders to be used with the new Ceramo One 3D printer, and the startup also offers an exceptional range of glazes in over 100 colors; gloss, matte, and opaque finishes are also available.

Ceramo One users can not only manufacture on-demand designer ceramic objects with the 3D printer, but also parts for the aerospace industry and molds for casting metal products. The maximum product size is 35 x 35 x 38 cm, and items larger than this are 3D printed in separate parts.

Kwambio’s factory in Odessa, Ukraine 3D prints up to 1,000 different objects each month, and now uses a working prototype of the new Ceramo One every day. However, the ceramics 3D printer will be available for pre-order starting later this month for $25,000.

The startup will be presenting its new Ceramo One 3D printer at the CES show, which begins in exactly one week on January 9th, and ends on Friday, January 12th. Last year, over 184,000 people attended CES, so Kwambio can expect a good audience for its new 3D printer’s first time in the spotlight. To see the Ceramo One for yourself, and to check out some of Kwambio’s 3D printed homewares, visit Booth #51545 at CES 2018 next week.

Don’t forget, 3DPrint.com will also be at CES, bringing you all of the latest news directly from the showroom floor.

Let us know what you think about the Ceramo One, and other 3D printing topics, at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts in the Facebook comments below. 

[Images provided by Kwambio]