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 4 microns in the X and Y. It comes standard with two 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 main page.

Adjustments

• Speed of travel (at slicing or in g-code editor)
• Layer thickness (at slicing)
• Volume of flow per unit distance (at slicing or in g-code editor)
• Extruder temperature (at slicing, in g-code editor, or manually during build) (MK-1, VOL-25)
• Cooling Fan speed (at slicing, in g-code editor, or manually during build (MK-1, QS-1)
• 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 to enlarge:

• 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 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 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)