Hydra 16A

The Hydra 16A is our large format machine. Introduced in 2016, it features hard resolution (with encoder feedback) of 20 microns in the X and Y, and 0.8 microns in the Z in standard mode. In microstepping mode, we can achieve soft resolution of 5 microns in the X and Y. It comes standard with one yoke with five tool positions, but can take additional yokes to handle more.

The base model has a range of 250mm in the Z, and can be equipped with the following (one is required):

• Bed, Standard, Warm: 400x300mm, 120C
• Bed, Standard, Hot: 400x300mm, 200C
• Bed, Large, Warm: 600x400mm, 120C
• Bed, Large, Hot: 600x444mm, 200C

In addition to the options available on most Hyrel printers, the Hydra 16A can also be equipped with:

• The 40 Watt CO2 laser (~10,000nm wavelength)
• The Pick-and-Place head with component tray
• The Three-Phase Spindle Tool for light machining operations

Most technical specifications are detailed in the comparison chart on the Printer Overview page.

Adjustments

• Speed of travel (at slicing or in g-code editor)
• Layer thickness (at slicing)
• Volume of flow per unit distance (at slicing, in g-code editor, or manually during build)
• Extruder temperature (at slicing, in g-code editor, or manually during build) (all heads)
• Cooling Fan speed (at slicing, in g-code editor, or manually during build (filament and chilled reservoir heads)
• HotBed Temperature (at slicing, in g-code editor, or manually during build)

Or, is tabular better?

Adjustments

Metric	Units	During Slicing	In G-Code Editor	GUI During Build
Speed of Travel	mm/min	yes	yes	no
Layer Thickness	mm	yes	no	no
Flow Rate	nL/sec	yes	yes	yes
Extruder Temperature	°C	yes	yes	yes
Fan Speed	% of max	yes	yes	yes
HotBed	°C	yes	yes	yes

Controls

Here is an explanation of the electronics of the 16A; click any image to enlarge:

Main Panel

The Main Panel has the Power Supplies, Controllers, Encoders, and Relays.

• The Left Side:
  • The ATX Power Supply provides 3.3, 5, and 12 VDC power to the processor, lights, and most heads loaded on the yoke.
  • The 24 VDC Power Supply provides 24 VDC power to the motion motors - X, Y, Z, A, and B.
  • The 48 VDC Power Supply provides 48 VDC power to the 3-phase spindle tool.
• The Center:
  • The X Axis Encoder controls motion and monitors for errors in this axis.
  • The Y Axis Encoder controls motion and monitors for errors in this axis.
  • The Z Axis Encoder controls motion and monitors for errors in this axis.
  • The optional CO2 Laser Driver controls the CO2 Laser.
  • The optional 3-Phase Spindle Driver controls the 3-Phase Spindle Tool.
  • The optional A Axis Encoder controls motion and monitors for errors in this axis.
  • The optional B Axis Encoder controls motion and monitors for errors in this axis.
    
• The Right Side:
  • The Hotbed Controller controls the heated or chilled build platform and the emergency stop.
  • The Relays control power to:
    • The Hotbed (or Coldbed)
    • The Emergency Stop
    • The Chamber Heater
    • (spare)
    • (spare)

Front Panel

The Front Panel has the Tablet Interface Board (with STM429 Motion Controller) and External Ports.