06-05-2017: Formlabs announced Fuse 1 SLS 3D printer and Form Cell automated production system
Fuse 1 was Formlabs first selective laser sintering machine
On June 5 2017, Formlabs has announced the launch of Fuse 1 - its first selective laser sintering (SLS) machine. Additionaly, the company presented Form Cell - an automated additive manufacturing system for its flagship The Form 2 3D printers.
Before the official launch, the beta versions of the machine have been in use at a number of global brands, including Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) Skunkworks. The Fuse 1 was offered for starting price at $9,999, which – at that time, was around 20 times less expensive than the next cheapest industrial SLS 3D printer.
The Formlabs 3D printer was also the only low-budget SLS competition for the Polish Sinterit and the Swiss Sintratec (which unfortunately recently announced its discontinuation).
The 3D printer was supporting Nylon PA 12 and PA 11 materials - the industry-standard for strong, durable and reliable prototyping and end-use parts. To prepare models for 3D printing, the PreForm software extended with the SLS method was used.
Another product announced that day, was Form Cell - an automated production solution for The Form 2 SLA 3D printers. It was a scaleable cell of 3D printers that automated repetitive 3D printing processes, enabling a true 24-hour digital factory.
The system included a row of Form 2 3D printers, a post-processing solution, and an industrial robotic gantry system, as well as software to optimize print scheduling and API endpoints for industry standard business systems and homegrown systems alike.
Source: www.3ders.org