The year 2016 is almost over, which makes it a very good moment to sum up all the milestones that we’ve reached this year. 2016 was a year full of new releases, new projects and new challenges. Most of them good but sometimes quite challenging as well!

Introducing the Pro Series in 2015 had a huge impact on 2016. We faced some troubles keeping up with productions. But these troubles can’t compete with all the positive moments we have faced this year. We have shipped 3D printers to the most exotic locations, we have met many extraordinary people, we started new promising partnerships and we have a lot of projects to work on when 2017 starts.

In this article we will sum up a selection of the important moments of 2016. We would like to thank everyone who was involved in any of the projects we have worked on this year. Hope to see you in 2017!

 

Product launches in 2016

FELIX Pro 2 and Pro 2 Touch

September 2016, During TCT we finally launched the FELIX Pro 2 and the Pro 2 Touch. Besides the complete redesign of the extruder we have also added Wifi connectivity and a touchscreen to the Pro 2 3D printers. The FELIX Pro 2 series are the next generation professional 3D FDM printers. We are especially proud of the FELIX Pro 2 Touch, with integrated Wi-Fi, controllable through an online platform and a smooth looking touchscreen. The Pro 2 Touch is introduced as ‘the smart 3D printer’. The many automated features, the interface of the touchscreen and the ability to operate and control the printer through an online platform make the Pro 2 Touch a one of a kind 3D printer!

Premium FELIX PLA

The quality of the filament can make or break your print. To make sure the highest level of print quality is reached we have introduced a premium PLA filament line. The outstanding physical quality of the material will definitely result in high detailed and strong prints. Especially the extra strength of our premium PLA (compared to standard PLA) is impressive. A short heat-treatment in the oven will increase the overal strength and will also increase the heat resistance of your print.

FELIX 3L

Early 2016 the big brother of the FELIX 3 was launched: the FELIX 3L. The tall printer, available with one or two print heads, is capable of printing objects up to 40 cm in height. The large build volume creates many new possibilities to create extraordinary objects.

 

A year full of partnerships

Magigoo

We first met the guys of Thought3D at TCT 2015 in Birmingham. They came to our booth and showed us their latest product: the Magigoo. “an easy to use 3D printing adhesive designed to address ‘the first layer not sticking problem’.” We took the Magigoo pen home and started to test with it straight away. From the very first print job we were quite amazed how well the glue worked on our printers! We have tested Magigoo pretty much with any material and it seems the perfect solution for 3D printing filaments which are not so easy to print due to warping. For example: ABS, PC, Nylon and Carbon filled filaments.

Printr (Element & Pro 2 Touch)

In the first months of 2016 Netherlands based company Printr released Formide, their online platform, and ’The Element’ (a physical unit) with Wi-Fi integration to connect 3D printers to the internet and their platform. To start with: the Element can be connected to multiple 3D printers at once and is then connected to Formide (the online platform). Via the platform users can control their 3D printers online via any web based device such as laptops, tablets and smartphones. Formide is not just a tool to control 3D printers, it is also a web based slicer and it offers you 5 GB of online storage for your 3D files and gcodes. The Element, which is required to communicate with your 3D printer through Formide offers impressive specs such as: 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, 4 GB internal memory and an responsive indication light.

Simplify3D

In 3D printing world Simplify3D is very well known for its excellent software. in August 2016 we have finally teamed up with Simplify3D to create the ultimate combination of 3D printer and software. We are absolutely amazed by the quality of the prints that can be achieved using Simplify3D. But there is more: Simplify3D gives you an amazing amount of options to play around with. The complete print job can be customised from the first till the very last layer! After the first hours of testing with the printer settings that Simplify3D provided we were convinced: We decided to bundle the software with our printers for a competitive price.

 

FELIX going global

Extended our reseller network to 61

In 2016 our reseller network grew to 61 resellers which are located all over the world. Most of our resellers have a physical shop and do have a FELIX 3D printer on display. For us, resellers are essential to ‘spread the brand’, to offer a professional local service and to gain market share. We hope to gain many more resellers in 2017!

Started distribution in China

2016 was the year of international expansion. We first started with the official distribution of FELIXprinters in China. China is a huge undiscovered market for us and we have high expectations of what’s coming in 2017. Visit our distributors website to find out more about FELIXprinters in China.

Landed in UAE

Another big step for FELIXprinters in 2016 was the official distribution in the United Arab Emirates. Together with two partners we have arranged all the necessary steps to start the official distribution in the UAE.

 

FELIX in education

10 3D printers to Kenia for engineering projects in 2016

FELIXprinters took part in a United Nations project which is focusing on ‘engineering projects in developing countries and upcoming markets’. In this case the project focused on Kenia, Africa. 10 classrooms filled with engineering equipment such as 3D printers, 3D scanners, CNC machines, laser cutters, computers, servers and more.
Before the shipment took place, all the equipment for the project was brought together in a huge warehouse. Every classroom was pre-build and teachers from Kenia were flown in to learn how to work with the machines. Once the equipment was shipped to Kenia and the build up of the classrooms was finished, the project was started.

30 3D printers to Sweden for Additive Manufacturing Studies

“The worldwide popularity of additive manufacturing is unstoppable. Also in Sweden they see great possibilities for better integration of 3D printing within many professions. To provide engineers in Sweden with the right knowledge, a brand new Additive Manufacturing studies has started in September 2016.” FELIXprinters is the proud supplier of the 30 3D printers that will be used for these studies.

Officially started cooperation with Denmark University

In 2016, the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) has initiated and started a research project that involves 3D printing of many different substances and liquids. FELIXprinters is one of the partners in this project which is also funded by the European Union. By offering knowledge, technology and by working together with PHD students we hope to achieve great results in the near future.

Spin off with Dutch ‘maak-o-theek’

In december 2016 a couple of 3D printers have left the FELIXprinters office! Maak-o-theek is a Dutch initiative providing carefree technical educational packages in each level of education. Since Maak-o-theek is offering complete packages it is very convenient for a school to provide technical lessons for a full periode. The packages include lesson material, machinery and all the other equipment needed to run the lessons and to operate the machines. To make sure Maak-o-theek will be able to get the most out of their FELIX 3D printers they followed a one day course at the FELIXprinters headquarters.

The FELIXprinters operations team wishes you a great 2017!