Meet the new FUSE 1
The industrial power of selective laser sintering on your benchtop.
Introducing the Fuse 1
With the new Fuse 1, Formlabs have introduced the first workbench SLS 3D Printer. Perfect for lightweight, strong and robust parts. The Fuse 1 is suitable for small – medium batch production and doesn’t require supports, allowing you to utilise the whole of your build chamber. Find out more about the Fuse 1 below.
Request Your Free Formlabs Sample
Contact the Experts
We are not only a leading UK reseller, but we also provide leading support and it’s important we work closely with you to understand you exact requirements. The technology we recommend, the 3D Printer we print on and the materials chosen will all be particular to your application & business to prove your concept and usually requires a discussion.
Call us on 01926 333 777, email on info@solidprint3d.co.uk or fill in the contact form above and we’ll get in touch to discuss the best sample and 3D Printer for your needs.
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Bespoke Parts
The samples above are typically enough for our customers to decide if the printer can produce parts of significant quality for their needs.
If your business requires bespoke sample parts to prove out the concept of 3D Printing, we are more than happy to arrange this for you.
Materials
Not your average 3D printed plastic
Formlabs Nylon 12 is able to bend and return to its original form without fracturing. Perfect for structural, load bearing and mechanical parts. Nylon 12 is able to withstand temperatures up to 171°C making it suitable for high temperature applications.
Find out more about Nylon 12 available at launch, with more materials coming soon.
Post-Processing and Part Recovery
Post-processing simplified
After the part is removed the excess powder can be filtered to remove large particles, and then up to 70% recycled. The fuse sift manages the process of mixing the recycled powder with new powder for future jobs. As a result of being able to re-use material, SLS produces very little waste compared to other manufacturing methods.
Find out more below about the tools and post-processing products available for the Fuse 1.
Easy Setup
Simple to use software to help create your parts with ease
Import your parts into Preform and set up your job easily. The Fuse 1 can create parts without the need of supports, allowing you to optimise your build volume and increase productivity.
Find out more about Preform.
Use MATERIALISE SOFTWARE TO BOOST THE EFFICIENCY OF YOUR FUSE 1
Get the most out of each print
Materialise has the ability to compact and organise STL files so that they can fit in your required build chamber. Adopting Materialise to your production process can save you time and money.
- No more tedious organising or rearranging STLs
- Save yourself hours
- Reduce the time of each print
- Improve the material usage of each print
Real time touchscreen display
Monitor progress and perform real time part inspection
The Fuse 1 has a real time display which is able to show each layer during the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process via an in-built camera. This allows parts to be inspected during the job via the display to ensure better part quality. The display, like all of Formlabs 3D printer display is easy to use and is able to communicate the progress of the job, giving you accurate timescales to help manage your workflow.
Find out more below about the Fuse 1 and its specifications.
Want to Read More?
Discover more about SLS and what the Fuse 1 has to offer
Check out our blog post to find out more about the all new Fuse 1. Discover how the SLS process the works, post-processing and part recovery, potential applications and lots more!
Find out more below how the Fuse 1 could help your business save time and money.
How Does An SLS Printer From Formlabs Work?
If you’re interested in buying an SLS printer from Formlabs, a trusted supplier such as Solid Print3D can help you out. SLS stands for “selective laser sintering”, which is a 3D printing process. An SLS printer works by using high-power lasers to put together the minuscule grains of polymer powder.
3D printing has become increasingly popular over the past few years, not least because it is fast becoming a more affordable and convenient way of creating three-dimensional items. Although there are different approaches to 3D printing, SLS is one of the most popular choices out there.
The Advantages Of SLS
Solid Print3D recommends a Formlabs SLS printer; it’s often the top choice for anyone who needs to create prototypes and functional parts. Its mechanical properties are ideally built for working on these kinds of projects.
It’s also perfect for creating objects that are geometrically complex. Because it doesn’t need much support, it can be used to make whatever shape you need it to form.
The SLS Formlabs 3D printer is also the best option if you want a high-quality output for small to medium batches of items. Just a point to note, though: the end results may need a little post-processing because of the grainy finish.
The good news is that this post-processing is usually relatively easy to do. You can try dyeing, lacquering, polishing, or spray painting, depending on your requirements.
The SLS 3D Printing Process
Here’s a step-by-step look at the process.
- Inside the build chamber of the Formlab SLS printer, a thin layer of polymer powder is spread out onto a platform.
- The printer will preheat the powder and maintain a temperature just below the raw material’s melting point. This step makes it easier for the laser to increase the temperature on specific points as it copies the model.
- As it scans the model, the powder particles are fused together, creating a single, solid part. The unfused powder serves as the part’s support, thus eliminating the need for any support structures.
- The platform lowers down by a single layer in depth into the build chamber. This layer is usually around 50 to 100 microns. A recoater then starts to add each layer of powder material on top. The laser then continues to scan the next section of the part being built.
- The process is repeated layer after layer until the entire object is complete. It is given enough time to cool down inside the printer.
- Once the parts are ready, the build chamber is brought out of the printer. The printed parts are then separated, and any excess powder left can be cleaned off.
The printing process in 3D has definitely come a long way from its initial development in the 1980s. The various technologies available today offer a much more efficient and cost-effective way to make all sorts of 3D items. And with the Formlabs SLS printer, it’s an affordable option for your business to invest in.
If you want to enjoy the benefits of an SLS Formlabs printer, talk to a trusted supplier in the business. Contact Solid Print3D today by calling 01926 333 777 or by sending us an email to info@solidprint3d.co.uk.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the difference between SLA and SLS?
An SLS printer is different from an SLA printer in a number of ways. For instance, an SLS Formlabs printer uses powder that is selectively fused together, while with an SLA printer, a liquid resin is cured instead.
Both printer types do have their similarities, however. Both utilise a laser to create the objects that they produce layer by layer.
What is SLS 3D printing?
Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a method that uses a laser to sinter powdered material. A powdered form laser 3D printer aims the laser automatically at points in space taken up by a 3D model, then binds the material together to form a solid structure.
What material does SLS use?
SLS printers use production-grade nylon materials, which are known to create durable, functional parts that last.
It is also worth noting that parts printed using a Formlabs SLS drucker can easily compete with other parts produced using traditional manufacturing techniques.
How do SLS printers work?
As seen in various Formlabs Fuse 1 SLS 3D printer demos, tiny particles of hardy materials such as plastic, glass, or ceramic are fused together using heat from a high-power laser to form a durable, three-dimensional solid object. SLS technology is one of the best ways to 3D-print materials today.
What are the advantages of SLS?
SLS parts made with a high-powered laser printer have good, isotropic mechanical properties, making them highly suitable for use as functional parts and prototypes.
Because SLS products created using an industrial environment 3D printer require no supports, producing complex geometric designs simply isn’t an issue. Also, the machine’s high-manufacturing capabilities are ideal for small to medium batch production.
Reasons Why You Should Buy SLS Printers For Your Business
One of the most widely used technologies for additive manufacturing these days is the selective laser sintering 3D printer. Nowadays, this technology is no longer limited to creating prototypes.
SLS technology has also found various applications in a wide variety of industries. If you’re wondering how a Formlabs SLS printer can benefit your industry and line of business, listed below are some advantages:
- It can produce highly complex yet lightweight parts.
- It enables the use of powerful systems and models for faster product development cycles.
- It can manufacture a large volume of customised and on-demand parts made of metals, ceramics, and other durable materials.
Advancements In SLS Printer Technology
SLS printers from Formlabs are ideal for both functional prototyping and small production runs, offering a high degree of freedom of design, accuracy, and exceptional mechanical properties.
Recent advances in this technology have led to the creation of more affordable machines that boast a smaller size while retaining industrial-level performance. Many of these machines, such as those offered by Formlabs have become relatively inexpensive to purchase.
Different SLS 3D Printers
There are several types of SLS 3D printers on the market today. To best understand which machine to get for your specific industry or business, you need to know the underlying technology used. You should also take note of which are the leading manufacturers of a high-quality laser fuse polymer powder printer, as well as the type, features, and pricing of each.
3D printing is one of the most sophisticated technologies today. With the use of SLS 3D printers, there is a whole host of new high-quality products, parts, and functional materials that can be created with precision and ease.
To find out more about the power of Formlabs SLA/SLS technology, get in touch with Solid Print 3D now. Visit our store for the latest products and price offerings.