Phrozen Arco
FDM 3D Printer

FDM stands for Fused Deposition Modelling, a 3D printing process that builds parts by melting and depositing filament layer by layer onto a heated build plate. It is the most widely used 3D printing technology for functional parts, prototypes, and general-purpose printing. FDM printers work with a broad range of materials including PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, polycarbonate, TPU, and carbon-fibre composites, making them suited to both hobbyist and engineering applications.

CoreXY is a motion system where the print head moves in both the X and Y axes while the build plate moves only in Z. On a standard bed-slinger printer, the build plate moves back and forth along the Y axis throughout the print, which adds mass and limits the speed at which the printer can move without introducing vibration artefacts. CoreXY removes the build plate from the horizontal motion equation entirely, which allows higher print speeds and better dimensional accuracy on large parts. The Arco uses CoreXY to achieve a top speed of 600 mm/s across a 300 x 300 x 300 mm build volume.

Klipper is an open-source 3D printer firmware that runs on a separate computer rather than directly on the printer's control board, which gives it more processing power for real-time calculations. The key practical features are input shaping, which reduces vibration ringing artefacts at high speeds, and pressure advance, which improves corner sharpness by compensating for filament pressure in the hotend. Both can be tuned to the specific material and speed you are running. This level of control directly affects output quality and print-to-print repeatability in ways that fixed factory firmware cannot match.

The Arco prints PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, polycarbonate, TPU, and carbon-fibre composites. The all-metal hotend reaches 300 degrees C, which covers the full temperature range required for engineering-grade filaments. The heated PEI bed reaches 120 degrees C, which provides the adhesion surface temperature needed for ABS and ASA without warping. For engineering filaments that require a stable enclosed thermal environment, the Penta Shield enclosure is available as an optional upgrade.

ABS, ASA, and polycarbonate benefit from an enclosed printing environment because these materials are sensitive to ambient temperature variation and air currents, which cause warping and layer separation. The Arco can print these materials without an enclosure in a controlled environment, but results are more consistent with one. The Phrozen Penta Shield is a five-panel tempered glass enclosure designed specifically for the Arco and available from 3D Cast. PLA, PETG, and TPU do not require an enclosure.

The Chroma Kit is an automatic multicolour filament management system designed for the Arco. It handles filament changes mid-print without manual intervention, allowing you to produce parts with multiple colours from a single print run. The system is available separately or as part of the Arco Complete Bundle. It is designed to fit directly to the Arco frame and is compatible with Phrozen High Speed PLA and other 1.75 mm filaments.

The Arco uses 1.75 mm filament and is compatible with any brand that produces filament to standard tolerances. Phrozen High Speed PLA is stocked by 3D Cast in multiple colours and is formulated specifically for high-speed CoreXY printers. Third-party brands in standard PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, polycarbonate, TPU, and carbon-fibre composites are all compatible provided the filament diameter is 1.75 mm. Klipper firmware allows you to tune pressure advance and print speed settings for each specific material, which improves results across different brands.

The Arco includes automatic bed levelling, vibration calibration, filament runout detection, and power loss resume. Automatic bed levelling measures the print surface before each job and compensates for any variation, which removes the need for manual paper-sheet calibration. Vibration calibration runs input shaping automatically to reduce ringing artefacts at the selected print speed. Filament runout detection pauses the print when the spool runs out so you can reload and continue. Power loss resume restores the print job after an unexpected power interruption.

3D Cast is the official Australian distributor for Phrozen Technology, which means Arco printers purchased through 3D Cast come with full manufacturer warranty support handled locally. Warranty queries can be directed to 3D Cast or in some cases directly to Phrozen, depending on the nature of the issue. Some parts may be sourced from the Phrozen factory. 3D Cast stocks genuine Phrozen spare parts in Australia, including components for the Arco, so replacement parts do not require international shipping.

FDM and resin are fundamentally different technologies suited to different applications. FDM builds parts from filament and excels at large-format functional parts, structural components, engineering-grade materials, and applications where material properties like flexibility or heat resistance matter. Resin printing uses UV-curable liquid resin and excels at fine surface detail, high XY resolution, and applications like dental models, jewellery casting masters, and miniature figures. The Arco operates in the FDM space with a 300 x 300 x 300 mm build volume and engineering material capability. 3D Cast also stocks the full Phrozen resin printer range for applications where resin is the better fit.