Democratising 5-Axis 3D Printing Technology

Rep5x is an open-source research project developing affordable retrofit systems that transform consumer 3D printers into 5-axis manufacturing platforms

Research-driven innovation

Academic Excellence

Rep5x originated from academic research at the University of Twente, building on previous work in multi-axis 3D printing. Our goal is to make advanced manufacturing capabilities accessible to makers, educators, and small businesses through open-source design and comprehensive documentation. The project emphasises community collaboration and knowledge sharing to advance the field of additive manufacturing.

Built on open source foundations

Total axes (X, Y, Z, E + yaw & pitch)

°

Continuous yaw rotation

%

Open-source design

Technical Overview

How Rep5x Works

A retrofit system that adds yaw and pitch rotation to existing 3D printers, letting you print complex shapes without support material.

Retrofit Design

Adds yaw and pitch rotation axes to existing 3D printers with continuous yaw rotation and >90° pitch tilt range.

Reduced Support Requirements

Yaw and pitch rotation allow printing complex geometries support-free, eliminating support structures for many overhangs.

Better Part Strength

Control over layer orientation allows for stronger parts by aligning print layers with load directions and stress patterns.

Material Efficiency

Reduced support material usage decreases waste and post-processing time for suitable part geometries.

Modular Implementation

Currently implemented for Ender 5 Pro and Ender 3 V3 with modular design allowing adaptation to other consumer printer platforms.

Open-Source Development

Complete documentation on GitHub enables community contributions and adaptations to additional printer models.

Team

Meet the Rep5x Team

The researchers and developers behind the Rep5x open-source 5-axis printing project at University of Twente.

Janis Andersons

PhD Researcher & Supervisor

Dennis Klappe

Master's Student & Project Lead

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rep5x open-source 5-axis 3D printing technology and how to get started with the project.

What is Rep5x and how does it work? -

Rep5x is an open-source retrofit system that adds 5-axis capability to existing 3D printers. It uses two additional rotational axes (yaw and pitch) in the print head to enable printing complex geometries without supports and achieve better surface quality.

Which printers are compatible with Rep5x? +

Rep5x currently supports the Ender 5 Pro and Ender 3 V3 SE with working prototypes. The project uses a modular design approach to support additional printer platforms through community contributions.

Do I need special firmware or software? +

Yes, Rep5x requires firmware modifications to handle the additional axes and inverse kinematics calculations. We provide modified Marlin firmware and configuration.

How difficult is it to build a Rep5x system? +

The build requires intermediate 3D printing and electronics knowledge. Most retrofit parts can be printed on your existing 3D printer. The project is currently in beta stage with documentation available. Community support is available through our Discord server.

What are the benefits of 5-axis printing? +

5-axis printing eliminates the need for support structures in most cases, reduces material waste, improves surface finish quality, and enables printing of complex geometries that are impossible with traditional 3-axis methods.

Is Rep5x completely free and open source? +

Yes, all Rep5x hardware designs, firmware, and documentation are released under the GPL v3 License. You can build, modify, and contribute to Rep5x systems. The only costs are for components and materials needed for assembly.

Start Building Your 5-Axis Printer

Join the community developing affordable 5-axis printing solutions.
Access complete documentation, firmware, and collaborate with other builders.

Join Discord