It's been a long time since Formlabs, one of the great American manufacturers of 3D printers, does not surprise us with some striking novelty. Taking advantage of the celebration of the Digital Factory conference, the company has decided to present what they have baptized as Formlabs Fuse 1, a machine that has been cataloged as the first equipped with selective laser sintering technology or SLS.
To date, I am sure that if you were thinking of getting a printer equipped with SLA technology, you had one of the always interesting Formlabs machines on your wish list. Now it has decided to explore new technologies and presents Formlabs Fuse 1, a 3D printer that represents a new step forward in the evolution of the company.
Formlabs Fuse 1, a 3D printer equipped with SLS technology.
Based on the statements made by Max Lobovsky, current CEO of the American company:
With the launch of the first SLA 3D printer in 2012, Formlabs made this technology accessible to all artists, engineers and product designers at all levels of the industry. Today we reiterate this approach with the Fuse 1 and SLS technology. While everyone believed it was impossible to reduce the cost of SLS technology, we did it with the Fuse 1. With Form Cell we doubled the capabilities of the Form 2 with an automation system. The SLA printer achieves 10 million impressions and becomes a production tool.
Regarding the characteristics of the Formlabs Fuse 1, it should be noted, for example, its printing volume of 165 x 165 x 320 mm, possibility of creating complex parts with solid mechanical properties from nylon, the use of print media will not be necessary while 50% of the unused powder can be used again in subsequent work.
If you are interested in getting a unit, just tell you that the market price will be about U.S. dollar 9.999 while the first units will be delivered to their owners in mid-2018.
Further information: Formlabs