5 Axis 3D Printer/CNC - Ethereal Machines | CES 2018

We talked to Ethereal Machines about their 5 axis CNC/3D printer. They are the first Indian company to win a Best of Innovation Award at CES.
The Halo is a hybrid machine capable of additive and subtractive manufacturing (both 5 axis).The build volume is 150ø x 150mm. Its nozzle can reach 350ºC, allowing for wide variety of filaments. Although tool swapping isn't automated, in only takes 4 screws to change out the print head and the spindle.
Software for 5 axis CNC and standard FDM is pretty established, but 5 axis 3D printing is still relatively new. Ethereal is currently refining their slicing software, which they say is 70-80% done.
The price point for the Halo is set around $20,000.
For more information, visit etherealmachin...
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[@nipunagunarathne4882]

it's not the ability to not use supports that's awesome about this, it's how you're not restricted in arranging the layers. There's potential for making stronger parts and making organic shapes without having to resort to low layer heights to avoid "stair step effects"

[@pauljs75]

You thought bed adhesion was a problem with what you're used to? You've seen nothing yet!

[@glennedward2201]

pauljs75 agreed and it’s not turning much other than pla on that trunnion without it sagging or sliding off. Add a heat bed for nylon and turn it sideways it’s going to be a mess. It would be much better to have a B axis swivel head and a flat working envelope.

[@Unmannedair]

haha yeah. that exactly what i was thinking. besides if you're clever you could totally build that shape without support on a normal printer anyway.

[@StopChangingUsernamesYouTube]

Even walking into the video knowing I couldn't possibly afford that, my heart still sank at $20,000.

[@RacinJsn]

William Shreckengost just adding a trunnion that size to make a regular 3-axis mill into a 5-axis setup is easily worth $20k.

[@lionxuser]

a CNC machine for 20k is dirt cheap

[@TweakRacer]

$20k would pay for a lot of support material, or even a dual extruder setup and PVA filament. Hard pass.

[@LittleRainGames]

Lion -X mine was 400 cad

[@nipunagunarathne4882]

@@RacinJsn converting a CNC at that price is acceptable because CNCs need to withstand much stronger forces and vibrations than a 3D printer needs to. 3D printers just need rigidity. It looks to me like they took a 5 axis CNC (or the idea of one) and converted it into a 3D printer. It would be much cheaper and more effective to take a decent 3D printer and convert the print head into a swivel type with machines aluminium pieces to get 5 axis operation, but that's not the biggest issue, the software is.

[@erobwen]

This would be awsome with carbon fiber... there would be loads of options for getting the right fiber-directions.

[@Unmannedair]

actually, i think not. the fiber is still constrained to be along the layer direction. the best this can offer is not flat membrane layers.

[@akik007]

Congratulations..!! Hope, this machine comes out successfully. With $20K people would expect a larger print area, despite the advantage of having 5 axis.

[@glennedward2201]

I know old post. 5 years much has changed. Were working on a 5 axis right that utilizes 2 Z and 2 X axis servos and closed loop steppers mixes. X/Y using servos. Printer is 22” X 48” X 24” huge fixed bed and detachable 4th and 5th axis for multi axis use. Whether a large 3 axis print or moderate 5 axis. This printer requires enclosure and if we launch we will offer it so the customer can opt for their own design if they’d like. We are still in the build and test stage working out and comparing which features work best. It wont be cheap but it wont be $20k either. It is big enough to print his printer. The intention is to open up a new evolution in 3d bringing what would typically be an industrial printer into hobbyists hands. Once this is done we may opt for a smaller version. With this large bed one could print 35 small parts for small production. Our printer will emphasize PEEK, Nylon, Carbon And also have a dual extruder where one can print soft rubberized filament. This is designed to be the all in one 3d printer. Sometime end of this year we hope to have it all completed. Right now we are testing 3 axis in a small enclosure to dial in the FDM features, hot end, extruders, temp controlled enclosure, auto ventilated, etc. btw this has been a 3 year project to date so we didn’t just start it.

[@k34561]

The real breakthrough will come when a five axis 3D printer is combined with carbon fiber 3D printing technology. For example Markforged carbon fiber printer. Then you be able create 3D prints with carbon fiber reinforcing strands in any direction. A 3D printed carbon fiber bicycle just as strong as a hand made carbon fiber bicycle. Carbon fiber airplane body, etc.

[@MrManta2012]

The trunion (4th and 5th axis) on the machine has been around for years in the machining trade. the cost of software is the road block to the home and hobby arena. Once we can get a freeware source this will be quite common.

[@Anvilshock]

Finally some of those people who have been getting that 3D printing isn't a magic wand that solves everything but merely one of many tools in manufacturing.

[@AnkitSharma-qb8mi]

Proud on that INDIAN Startup company 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳👍🏻👍🏻 vande matram

[@ben_1]

Looks cool, but boy is that a huge machine for a 150 x 150 mm print volume

[@jossmilde]

Yeaha 3d printer with Dynomotion KFLOP! Most flexible and affordable motion control package I know!

[@Technicallyaddicted]

Imagine the compiling for a non-planar 5 axis 3d print with zero stringing. Complex coordinated movement and microsteps between absolutely no less than 7 stepper motors with half millimeter accuracy carrying over a kilogram each. That is nerd nightmare fuel. This never too off because of 2 things. The $250 creality ender 3 pro, and Bondo.

[@Bajicoy]

Looks really cool, programing/slicing looks like an obnoxious endeavor, really hopping this gets simplified

[@nimrodquimbus912]

Neat, I wonder what slicer it uses.

[@JoelReid]

Amazing. I could see this type of machine also being used to paint a 3D object using felt pens.

[@dikkybee]

Have had Indian machines before and will wait until the Chinese makes a copy.

[@anthonycarson8967]

You know build plate adhesion is a must for this design.

[@danielstjean9458]

What is the advantage of printing without support material? It looks like that work could be done on a 3x printer no problem. Is the layup of the layers somehow stronger? I also imagine crashing the extruder into your part is now an issue?

[@secrettree]

Very cool but it is a little misleading to say that you developed the control software when you are using a controller and software combo developed by Dynomotion. You shouldn't say you developed something that it appears you only slightly modified. See the comparison: i.imgur.com/fYojnNK.png www.dynomotion.com/wiki/index.php?title=KMotionCNC_Screen_Editor

[@glennedward2201]

Stay tuned while Repetier is developing a 7 axis firmware soon to be released! The technology is advancing this direction and it won’t be long before you can purchase nema17 powered swivel head steppers (our company is working on one for distribution). Utilizing fusion 360 or other CNC capable softwares should suffice in slicing while the open source market seeks development for y’all that need freeware.

[@glennedward2201]

Guessing this never happened

[@AtomicFire19]

If I could afford it, I'd love to buy something like that!!!!

[@MrAka1010]

Simply assembled machine...

[@3dprintwiz378]

My jaw dropped when he said 20K. I like the concept, but I hope they can make the price more consumer friendly.

[@SanjaySingh-oh7hv]

What price should it be? I'm curious because while it is expensive, it's also among the first printers of it's kind.

[@ameliabuns4058]

I wish we could have 5 axis printers in common hobby stuff. I hate the weakness in the Z direction

[@michaelsaygak5747]

Great idea!

[@shawncrocker7037]

Looking forward to see how people use these machines. Im not looking forward to seeing people continue to overuse and abuse the word utilize as though it make look like they have a special connection with the manufacturing industry.

[@bernhardhnida3038]

isnt the advantage of 3D printing that one need no 5 axis but only 2,5?? can anyone clarify ?

[@Anvilshock]

How is this an "advantage"? It's simply one approach to manufacturing, and the 2.5-approach is simply necessitated by the principle of operation.

[@SanjaySingh-oh7hv]

The main advantage of 5-axis with 3D printing is that the filament layers can be deposited from different orientations. So in theory one could make a part that is isotropic and resists forces equally is most or all directions. A 3-axis printer 3D printer will always have layers that are vertically stacked on top of one another, which makes it weak against tensile or compressive forces in the Z-axis. The other advantage is that for many prints, supports can be avoided by re-orienting the part and then depositing material from the desired angle or position.

[@Martin-xb2rz]

I am building a 5 axis mill/3d printer with a 3 axis table. 8 axis when it is complete

[@Martin-xb2rz]

@@vikeshbubbles205 you can create more complex things.

[@Funnygalsproductions]

India 🇮🇳 hello from Miami Florida

[@nThanksForAllTheFish]

Should be good for printing propellers

[@DaedalusProps]

I fucking NEED IT

[@KB-jy5hr]

It totally is buildtak ahaha

[@MrAka1010]

Already 5 axis 3D printers existed so, what's new invention.

[@sonnaps5465]

What red filament is that? Anyone know?

[@gladtomeetyou5088]

5 axis is far superior than normal 3D printing

[@nobocks]

Finally some real 3d printing :)

[@frankwoolsey7758]

that would be 5d

[@tanmaychopra5603]

this is innovation man!

[@veturis3111]

Thats cool

[@Thomas_Ricks_]

Freakin Awesome!

[@ppsroofingcontracting5055]

20 Grand..not bad

[@sinformant]

I know this is wrong but I kept waiting to hear him say "number 5 is alive!"

[@hyperhektor7733]

0:39 there is a swastika ( on the background monitor xD)

[@atexc5604]

So what? It's the symbol of sun, and luck.

[@hyperhektor7733]

@@atexc5604 not for jews, you aren't aware of World-War-2 history?

[@atexc5604]

@@hyperhektor7733 That's totally different svastika. You cannot forget about hundreds years of this symbol history all over the world, and just link it to one guy with stupid moustache. BTW why you mention Jews? Way more Christians were killed by Deutsches during that war.

[@hyperhektor7733]

@@atexc5604 because its illegal here to say what you are saying. Where do you live?

[@atexc5604]

@@hyperhektor7733 Poland. Right in the middle of history You mentioned before. Im well aware of things that took place here. Both the politically-correct version, but also facts that my ancestors passed to me as eye witness that are let's say not all the way corresponding to history books. I also know a bit about ancient symbols, so seeing svastika as nazi symbol always upset me a bit. All heritage of this symbol destroyed by few years of one socialist-nationalist party ruling one of countries in europe. That's sad.

[@firexgodx980]

Well that's fucking cool.

[@AnasSuhaimi]

I think I've heard his voice before. Did he worked with Microsoft Tech Support before?

[@adamkendall997]

Tank you for calling Microsoft tech support. How may I totally misunderstand you today?

[@TCSO1757]

20K to print on such a small build area GTFO

[@chris746568462]

Its not really a printer is it. All they have done is stick a hotend on a 5 axis CNC mill. Its all in software, any 5 axis machine could do this with work.

[@onklim3132]

That is excessive technology on FDM printer

[@TweakRacer]

$20k would pay for a lot of support material, or even a dual extruder setup and PVA filament. Hard pass.

[@DeepakKumar-dy7gc]

Feeling proud as an Indian.

[@DeepakKumar-dy7gc]

That might be true but so does the country who forgot to teach basic courtesies to talk to their citizens.

[@osamabinladen1695]

@David I don't think so dude. India was a garbage because of looting during British colonialism. Learn the history first!

[@ikbendusan]

HEHEHEHE IT ISN'T BUILDTAK _fuck he's onto us_

[@crispy-k]

A couple of motors, some aluminum frame. 20000$ This is why they have such a hard time selling them and that's why they keep the prices so high. Had they set the price to 1000$, every single person in the world would buy one, even my grandma. Profit would be massive, compared to 100 people buying your 20000$ machine. Just saying. High prices doesn't equal high profit. Most people won't buy it. Cool stuff though.

[@1231legomaniac]

The problem is programming a slicer for it

[@Unmannedair]

@@1231legomaniac actually, that's not such a problem. such a slicer doesn't exist for free or as open source, but i assure you it does exist, and were this actually practical it wouldn't be that hard to expand something like cura or slic3r to do this. there are already all kinds of custom slic3r forks for doing stuff like diagonal slicing and polar slicing.

[@ADRIAAN1007]

guy puts a hotend on a 5 axis cnc mill. what a revolutionary invention.

[@sugarbooty]

ADRIAAN1007 it's all in the software

[@Legendias]

+ADRIAAN1007 so why didn't YOU do that? there's much know how in the software, because there's no open source project for that at the moment as far as i know.

[@wordreet]

Innovation is how you get things approved by patent offices all round the world. So if they've done it first, they're in the money! THATS the main point. ;¬)

[@richardphatthenguyen195]

Pretty sure they will end up requiring a dedicated 5 axis programmer to run the machine. You know what that means.....

[@firexgodx980]

did a product like this exist on the market before this guy? If not then yes, this is literally revolutionary

[@Chidoc]

thaaat accent is super cool :-)

[@chelocheliniXD]

20000 wtf

[@bigchooch4434]

20k Fuck that shit

[@BisdremisKostas]

who cares about multi color 3d prints? i think this is the makers future.

[@DoubleMotherLess]

you could multicolor it too, the hard point was to make the software for the 5 axis, add more extruders and a color mixer isnt that hard ;)

[@SurajGrewal]

Multicolour printer can also print using different materials in a single print...eg making a housing out of plastic while simultaneously printing rubber gaskets inside of it resulting in a valve.

[@DoubleMotherLess]

SO TRUE :D

[@LittleRainGames]

The thing about multi nozzle is that you can make a soft rubber button and print the conductive pad right on.

[@OperationAllOut]

Overpriced, I would rather prefer a 6 axis entry-level industrial robotic arm

[@cyopsnh]

lol 20 grand lol

[@ngwakoramatsoma4718]

😷

[@eddiebernays514]

your mudda

[@glennedward2201]

Sorry to say but It’s over priced.

[@astroplutonium]

20x the cost of a decent printer so you can avoid supports..... and the bed adhesion nightmare and software integration no one speaks of... whatever...

[@beachboardfan9544]

Not trying to be a dick but thats only 4 axis...

[@Johncoffee2002]

I think this printer is a flop. Too special.