Sinterit, a Polish manufacturer of selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printers, has released its second low-cost SLS system, the Lisa 2 Pro. Since the launch of the Lisa 2, however, the company has also upgraded the original Lisa system, as well.
With a build volume of 5.9 x 7.9 x 10.2, the Lisa 2 is the “big sister” of Sinterit’s flagship machine, the Lisa, which has a volume of just 5.9 in x 7.9 x 5.9. The laser is a 5W infrared LED, the same as that featured in the younger sibling.
A big difference, however is the Lisa 2’s built-in Nitrogen gas chamber, which opens the printer up to a wider variety of materials. Whereas the original Lisa could print with nylon PA12 smooth and thermopolyurehane flexa Black materials from Sinterit, the Lisa 2 can print with PA11, flexa Grey, and undisclosed materials currently under development.
The original Lisa has also been improved to have a slight larger build area that, due to a better heated bed, will make it possible to print larger objects. Better temperature management, through a tighter gasket and protective glass, has enhanced the overall reliability of the printer. The new version also has a lid with easier access.
The company, staffed by former Google employees, has also enhanced its Sinterit Studio software for more automation, and is offering two new accessories: the Sinterit Sandblaster and Sieve. These are necessary to remove the power from completed parts.
The Sinterit Lisa 2 stand-alone will be offered for 11990 euro (USD$14900), while the complete package, with Sieve and Sandblaster, will be sold for 13 990 euro (USD$17400). Pre-orders are open now with deliveries expected to begin September 2018.
Desktop fused filament fabrication took off quickly and frantically, with numerous startups emerging to take advantage of the capabilities offered by low-cost 3D printing. Desktop SLS, on the other hand, has been a slower race. New low-cost SLS systems are appearing but not quite at the same rate. This is due in part to the expiration of patents, with fused deposition modeling patents expiring in 2009 and SLS only in 2014. Another major factor is the expertise and cost required to build SLS machines, which you can read about in greater detail here.
The higher cost and skill required to make SLS systems often means better parts. SLS parts can have greater complexity, including moving components, and finer detail, with the Lisa 2 printing wall thicknesses as think as 0.4 [mm] / 0,016 [inch], and details as fine as 0.1 [mm] / 0,004 [inch]). No material is wasted on printing support structures, as the powder bed provides all of the needed support. Additionally, 100 percent of the unfused powder, in the case of the Sinterit systems, can be reused. Though 30% of fresh powder must be added for a new print.
Sinterit isn’t the only company on the market offering low-cost SLS, but it is only one of a few. Sharebot offers the SnowWhite and Sintratec sells the S1. Sinterit, however, is the latest to have upgraded its technology. Due to significant capital backing and brand recognition, this may mean that its leading competitor is desktop stereolithography manufacturer Formlabs, which recently released its own SLS technology.
To learn more about desktop SLS, read our article titled “Desktop SLS: Industrial 3D Printing for the Masses?” To learn more about the Lisa and Lisa 2 3D printers, visit the Sinterit website.