3D printing industry leader Formlabs just launched the Fuse 1+ 30W—its most powerful industrial selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printer to date.
The printer builds on the earlier Fuse 1 SLS printer but includes upgraded components such as a more powerful laser, which the company says enables better throughput and parts production up to twice as fast as the previous model. It also features an upgraded galvanometer system, which is designed to enable rapid scanning speed up to 12.5 meters per second. Other aspects include low waste due to high packing density and powder recyclability, resulting in lower production costs per part and a better ROI.
Alongside the release of the new printer, Formlabs also launched a new material to go with it. The Nylon 11 CF Powder is geared for SLS printers like the Fuse 1+ 30W for end-use applications. The powder is nylon-based with carbon fiber reinforcements to achieve final products that are both lightweight and strong.
The Nylon 11 CF Powder can also reportedly withstand repeated impact, which makes it suitable for use as replacement and spare part alternatives to metal parts, high-impact equipment and functional composite prototypes. Formlabs says that the powder is thermally stable, and has high stiffness and dimensional stability, a high degree of vibration, and impact resistance with a high strength-to-weight ratio.
“With the Fuse 1+ 30W, we’re pushing SLS 3D printing to new heights—delivering truly rapid, high-throughput SLS printing at a price point that companies can afford. In total, Formlabs has sold over 100,000 professional SLA printers—more than any other 3D printer manufacturer—and the Fuse 1+ 30W sets us up to similarly dominate the SLS market,” said Max Lobovsky, CEO and cofounder of Formlabs, in a press release.
According to Lobovsky, Formlabs has accounted for more than 50 percent of SLS printer sales since it launched the Fuse 1 in January 2021. Its persistent focus on developing lower-cost SLS printers is part of the company’s goal of expanding 3D printing to more industries as a go-to production method. Starting at $27,499, the Fuse 1+ 30W is marketed as an affordable option for an industrial-grade printer.
Lobovsky said a variety of fields already use Formlabs’ printers, such as engineering, manufacturing, dental and health care. However, a new line of mass customized 3D-printed toys illustrates the spectrum of possibilities.
3D-Printed Superheroes
Formlabs recently partnered with toymaker Hasbro to help make action figures. The partnership is part of the Hasbro Selfie Series—a personalization platform that enables people to make their own six-inch action figure that is modeled after their own likeness.
The partnership builds off of collaborations between the two companies that began in 2014 when Hasbro first started using Formlabs printers for action figure prototyping. It now uses the printers for prototyping and end-product manufacturing.
“Our work with Hasbro continues to evolve to be at the forefront of innovation,” said Lobovsky. “3D printing has long been viewed as a prototyping tool, but the Hasbro Selfie Series personalization platform demonstrates that Formlabs enables end-product manufacturing at scale. I love making and personalizing things I use and am excited to see how fans react to this new 3D printing-powered experience.”