Table of Contents
Independent Dual Extruders, or IDEX for short, is a sophisticated printing method that allows for printing in two colours without the use of an inefficient purge tower in between colour changes. Additionally, it is able to print in a single colour or simultaneously print two different models.
When printing in a single colour becomes tedious, you have other options. Large-format 3D printing is no problem for the Kywoo3D Tycoon IDEX, which comes equipped with not one but two separate tool heads.
The Tycoon IDEX can be purchased for $899 and comes equipped with two direct drive toolheads, an auto levelling system in the style of BL Touch, and a massive build plate measuring 300 mm by 300 mm. Sadly, a significant portion of that land is being consumed by parking space for the various tool heads.
The maximum build volume for dual-color printing is 220 millimetres by 300 millimetres by 350 millimetres, and when printing in mirror mode, the width of each model is reduced to 120 millimetres. When compared to the size of prints that it is capable of producing, the Tycoon IDEX is an enormous machine.
This is something that should be taken into consideration when looking for a location to install it. Even though its user experience isn’t always on par with that of the best 3D printers, this machine is a good place to begin exploring dual head printing if that’s something you’re interested in doing.
Kywoo3D Tycoon IDEX Printer SPECIFICATIONS
Connectivity | SD Card |
Machine Footprint | 671 x 514 x 760 mm (26.4 x 20.2 x 29.9 inches) |
Item Weight | 32.00 lbs |
Operating System | Linux, mac, Windows, Windows XP |
Kywoo3D Tycoon IDEX Printer review: Design
Compact in size but boasting “the amazing precision and stability found only in industrial-grade 3D printers,” the Kywoo Tycoon 3D Printer delivers on its promise. The Tycoon is incredibly secure due to its vertical double portal design, which employs two rails on each side rather than one.
Because of its dual Z-axis motors, Tycoon can perform automatic alignment, which is not only time-saving but also more precise than visual alignment alone. When compared to standard pulley systems, these enhancements increase precision by 30%. Filament materials like PLA, PETG, TPU, TPE, and ABS allow for unlimited customization.
Everything is set up easily. Printing can begin after you attach the required six screws, two feet, and three wire connectors. When compared to a pen or button interface, the high-definition colour touch screen is much more convenient to use. There are nine different languages available for use. The screen was very legible, quick, and simple to use for me. You can buy this 3D printer from its official website.
Kywoo3D Tycoon IDEX Printer review: Features
In the event of a power failure, the controller board incorporates a “resume print” mode that allows for the recovery of unsaved work. The tempered glass work surface of the hot bed measures 245 x 260 mm, providing a build volume of 240 x 240 x 240 mm (9.5 x 9.5 x 9.5 inches). You’re free to use whatever materials you like for making hot beds.
The glass greenhouse worked well for our first attempt, but my son’s suggestion to use a glue stick to secure it led to some difficulty. Our first foray into 3D printing was with Kywoo Tycoon, and we came away with some useful knowledge. There were aspects of 3D printing about which we knew very little, so we had to figure them out as we went along.
If you’ve only ever printed documents on paper, you might be surprised by how different 3D printing can be. Making 3D prints should become something of a pastime for you. Adjusting print settings is necessary due to variations in printers, software, filaments, and 3D models.
Kywoo3D Tycoon IDEX Printer review: Printing
In most cases, we begin by using the pre-sliced test model along with the sample filament that is provided. I went with the Dual-Color Square because it was the only pre-sliced file that came in two colours, and after about three hours I had this wonderful cube. Although there is some stringiness to it in certain areas, the colour has not bled.
This is constructed using the black and white PLA that was provided. The next thing I did was print a Cali-Dragon designed by McGybeer. For this dainty little test print, the designer offers both a single-color and a multicolor file option to choose from. It shouldn’t take too much time because it’s not very big to begin with.
It was at this point that we realised the two colour profiles that had been sent to me by Kywoo3D were not properly tuned. Each print has stringing, and there were lumps and blobs in the areas where the colours changed. Cura estimated that this would print in 46 minutes, but because of the additional time required to switch print heads, it took closer to two hours for each print.
The Matterhackers Build Series Blue PLA and Build Series Red PLA were used to print these items. The Matterhacker’s Green and White Quantum can be found in the middle of the three.
Kywoo3D Tycoon IDEX Printer review: Software
The actual slicing was the part that proved to be the most challenging; the actual design was simple. This was in part due to the fact that the manual did not contain all of the information about the printer‘s settings.
Kywoo has stated that additional information will be included in the final manual. It is my hope that it will also include additional information on some of the software’s menus, as I am unaware of the functions that some of the menus perform. It is possible that someone with more experience in 3D printing will see it more clearly.
Final Words
Because of the excellent quality of the Kywoo Tycoon 3D printer, my very first experience with 3D printing was a positive one. The print quality greatly surpassed my expectations, and we our seriously considering purchasing a second Kywoo Tycoon 3D printer due to how much we enjoy using the first on.
This printer is also available in a larger Tycoon Max model from Kywoo, which has a print bed measuring 300 mm by 300 mm by 240 mm. Be sure to check out the Kywoo Tycoon Kickstarter page, where you can find additional review videos as well as all of the game’s information in its entirety.
Kywoo3D Tycoon IDEX Printer Ratings
Pros
- Large build size
- Two tool head
- Direct drive
Cons
- Squeaks and clanks
- Difficult to tune
FAQs
What is IDEX printer?
Independent Dual Extruders, or IDEX for short, is a 3D printing method that lets two print heads move separately from each other. Each head has its own nozzle and can print with the same material or a different one.
Where are Raise3D printers made?
Raise3D, a firm with headquarters in the United States, is responsible for manufacturing the desktop 3D printer known as the Raise3D N1 Dual. In addition, Raise3D has offices in Shanghai (China), which is where the company manufactures its 3D printers.
What is the size of Kywoo tycoon?
On the Kywoo Tycoon, the construction volume measures out to a neat 24 cubic centimetres, with dimensions of 240 millimetres on all sides. As a point of comparison, this is a 20 mm improvement over a similarly priced Creality Ender 3 Pro, whereas it is a 10 mm reduction on the Z.