The Apium P400 is a large industrial FDM 3D printer from German manufacturer Apium Additive Technologies. The machine has a number of intelligent features and is capable of printing from high-temperature engineering polymers such as PEEK, ULTEM and others.

New generation adaptive spherical heater.

One of the distinctive features of the Apium P400 is the patented next-generation adaptive zone heating system. Instead of heating the entire working chamber, as is the case with most printers, an infrared heater is integrated into the print head, saving time and reducing energy consumption. The technology provides excellent interlayer adhesion as the heater melts the previous layer, allowing strong bonds to form between layers. This results in isotropic properties of the finished parts, comparable to conventional manufacturing methods such as injection moulding.

Multi-material processing.

An independent dual extrusion system allows printing from multiple materials, while an adaptive heating system allows simultaneous printing from materials requiring different temperature settings. With the IDEX system, users can double productivity by printing in duplicate or mirror mode. The P400 is a versatile platform that allows easy switching of print heads depending on the material being used. Spare nozzles and other essential tools are stored in a convenient built-in tool drawer. The Apium P400 is equipped with automatic features for seamless integration into the production environment and convenience of use. Automatic table levelling and an optical printhead calibration system ensure consistent print results with minimal effort. All important print process parameters are automatically saved as a PDF protocol.

Exceptional print quality.

The high-temperature ectruder with adaptive zone heating system and interchangeable nozzles provides industrial quality printing of large and small objects. Isotropic properties, high mechanical strength and excellent surface quality of printed models make the P400 suitable for functional prototyping and small batch production in the automotive and aerospace industries, microfluidic devices, liquid or vacuum pumps, high-current insulators and more. The machine can print layers of 50-600 microns and provides print accuracy of 7.5 and 1 micron in the XY and Z planes respectively.

Energy efficiency.

The maximum temperature of the P400 nozzle is 540 °C. Combined with a print substrate heated to 200 °C and innovative 500 °C adaptive heating, it enables the processing of a wide range of engineering thermoplastics, including PEEK, PEEK-CFR, PEEK-GFR, PEKK, PP, PEI 9085, ABS, PA6-CFR, PVDF, PA6-GFR and others. As an open material system, the printer is compatible with a wide range of polymers from different manufacturers. The integrated filament dryer holds up to four spools and can heat up to 150°C, providing optimal storage conditions and eliminating residual moisture.

Larger working area.

Equipped with a spacious workspace of 400 x 300 x 300 mm, the Apium P400 provides enough space to print large models or produce small runs. The IDEX system allows two identical models to be printed in a single print session. The P400 printer can be operated via a built-in LCD touchscreen with an intuitive, user-friendly interface for managing print jobs and checking printer status. An open software system ensures the user can use any slicer. With Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity options, the printer can be controlled remotely via the Apium web interface. The user can visualise models in the 3D viewer, organise the print queue or check the status of the printer.

Technical specifications:

XY accuracy	0,0075 mm, Z 0,001 mm
Head temperature	do 540°C
Adaptive heating	> 500°C
Work table temperature	up to 200°C
Layer height	0,05 – 0,6 mm
Nozzle size	0,2 – 1 mm
Working area	400 x 300 x 300 mm
Working chamber	Closed
Dimensions	1060 x 705 x 1941 mm
Weight	260 kg
Connectivity	WLAN, Ethernet
Supported materials	PEEK, PEEK-CFR, PEEK-GFR, PEKK, PP, PEI 9085, ABS, PA6-CFR, PVDF, PA6-GFR itp.