COLEX FORGE
Converting an industrial Colex SharpCut SXC flatbed cutter into a large-format multi-material 3D printer
14
Build Weeks
48"×120"
Print Area
2
Tool Heads
~$2K
Budget Target
Build Progress
0% Week 1 Week 14
Tool Heads
T1
CF Extruder
Carbon fiber and engineering materials
🌡️ 500°C ⬡ DiamondBack 0.8mm
- ▸ E3D Volcano hotend
- ▸ Bondtech BMG dual-drive
- ▸ CF-PETG, CF-Nylon, PETG, ABS
- ▸ Hardened nozzle for abrasive filaments
T2
CMYK Color Mixer
Full-color PLA printing via 4-in-1 mixing
🌡️ 260°C ⬡ 0.6mm mixing
- ▸ Zonestar 4-in-1 system
- ▸ 4× NEMA 17 extruders
- ▸ Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
- ▸ Virtually unlimited color output
Budget Breakdown
🏗️
Structure
$200 – $400
📐
Z-Axis
$150 – $250
🔥
CF Head
$250 – $350
🎨
CMYK Head
$100 – $150
♨️
Heated Bed
$200 – $350
⚡
Electronics
$150 – $250
📷
Sensors
$50 – $100
🏠
Enclosure
$100 – $200
🧵
Filament
$150 – $300
♻️
K1 Donors
$150 – $300
Workshop Equipment
Colex SharpCut SXC
cncIndustrial flatbed cutter — the base machine for this conversion
Use: Base machine: XY gantry, WinCNC controller, 67×126 inch working area
Creality K1 Max
printerCF-capable 3D printer for fabricating custom parts
Use: Print brackets, adapters, mounts, and custom parts for the build
Creality Raptor Pro
scannerHigh-resolution 3D scanner for measurement and monitoring
Use: Pre-build scanning + real-time print monitoring mounted on gantry head
Laser Cutter
cutterFor cutting structural plates and brackets from metal sheet stock
Use: Cut steel and aluminum mounting plates, gussets, and brackets
Xante X55
uvUV flatbed printer for labels and markings
Use: Print equipment labels, part markings, and color reference charts