Formlabs has begun shipping its Fuse 1 selective laser sintering (SLS) printer.
The Fuse 1 is easy to use and can deliver industrial-grade nylon parts 24/7 in a variety of sizes thanks to its large build chamber.
These resilient, ready-to-use nylon parts balance strength, flexibility, and detail.
The new printer offers a number of benefits typically found in industrial level SLS printers costing four times as much:
- Low material costs. With an expansive build chamber and the ability to reuse nylon powder, the Fuse 1 offers industrial quality SLS 3D printing for a low cost per part.
- High productivity and throughput. SLS printing is the fastest additive manufacturing technology for functional, durable prototypes and end-use parts. Many parts can be tightly arranged during printing to maximise the available build space. Create hundreds of parts with each print cycle and keep your machine running 24/7 with multiple build chambers.
- Design freedom. With no need for support structures, SLS 3D printing allows for the creation of intricate geometries, interlocking parts, interior channels, and other complex designs.
- Proven, end-use materials. Nylon and its composites are proven, high-quality thermoplastics with mechanical properties comparable to those created with conventional manufacturing methods like injection molding.
In the Fuse 1 workflow, a single device – the newly released Fuse Sift – handles the extraction of parts and unsintered powder, as well as storing, dosing, and mixing of streams. The Fuse Sift will also help recycle powder, making workflow more efficient and reducing costs. The Fuse 1 operates with a 30 per cent material refresh rate, meaning you can print with up to 70 per cent recycled powder, indefinitely. Fuse Sift can dispense and mix used and new powder automatically so you can reduce waste and control your powder supply.
In addition, Formlabs offers its Nylon 12 Powder which has specifically been developed for use on the Fuse 1. It is a highly capable material for both functional prototyping and end-use production of complex assemblies and durable parts with high environmental stability.
