03-05-2007: Z Corporation unveiled Zprinter 450
It was first full color 3D printer with such a breakthrough price (at the time)
On March 5, 2007, Z Corporation launched the full-color 3D printer ZPrinter 450. Its key advantage was its exceptionally low price for that time—$40,000. It also featured a relatively fast 3D printing process and low operating costs compared to other AM technologies. After the printing process was completed, excess powder could be recovered and reused, improving material efficiency.
The ZPrinter 450 was primarily designed for rapid prototyping, utilizing ColorJet Printing (CJP) technology. The 3D printer offered an impressive palette of 180,000 colors, making it particularly valuable for applications requiring realistic color representation, such as architectural or conceptual models.
Visually, the ZPrinter 450 did not stand out with a modern design. Its gray casing with orange accents around the control panel was characteristic of equipment produced in the early 2010s. The control panel featured an LCD screen operated by a rotary knob, allowing users to manage printer functions such as powder removal and platform elevation. The printer was also equipped with an Ethernet port for easy network integration.
The build area of the printer measured 203 mm x 254 mm x 203 mm, placing it in the mid-range category in terms of size. Printing speed reached up to 23 mm per hour, with a layer resolution of 90 to 100 microns and a print resolution of 300 x 450 dpi. The printer had two chambers—one for building models and another for powder removal. The printing process was automated, and excess powder was reused, minimizing material waste.
One of the main limitations of the ZPrinter 450 was the requirement to use dedicated materials: ZP130 powder and ZB59 binder. These materials were difficult to obtain and relatively expensive, posing a significant drawback for users. Additionally, models printed on the ZPrinter 450 were fragile and unsuitable for mechanical applications, restricting their use to visual and conceptual purposes.
In terms of software, the ZPrinter 450 operated with ZPrint, which functioned as both a slicer and an interface for communicating with the printer.
The ZPrinter 450 was delivered fully assembled, except for the installation of the printhead and replacement of powder and binder cartridges. This process was simple and resembled handling a standard inkjet printer.
In summary, the ZPrinter 450 was an excellent tool for rapid prototyping, particularly in fields requiring realistic color reproduction. However, due to the fragility of the prints and material limitations, its application was restricted to visual and conceptual purposes. Today, following the discontinuation of production by 3D Systems (which acquired Z Corporation), the printer is mainly available on the secondary market, where it can be purchased for a fraction of its original price, making it an attractive option for hobbyists and 3D printing enthusiasts.
Source: www.thomasnet.com
GET FREE HISTORY BOOK: ‘2012 in AM’
