Farsoon introduced Laser Beam Shaping technology at TCT Asia
The Atomic Layers: S8E18 (00224)
Atomic Layer of the Day:
Bambu Lab this, Bambu Lab that, but meanwhile, at the ongoing TCT Asia trade show in Shanghai, the biggest innovations are coming from Farsoon Technologies!
Yesterday, I mentioned that the company announced the launch of the FS1521M-U, a LPBF metal 3D printer equipped with 32 × 500W fiber lasers! But that’s not the end of the surprises.
Farsoon has also introduced its Beam Shaping Technology, which enables dynamic laser beam shaping into various forms.
This new technology allows Farsoon’s laser systems to shape the laser beam into ring-shaped, point-ring-shaped or fully customisable configurations tailored to specific application requirements. When combined with high-power lasers and optimized scanning strategies, this advancement is set to significantly improve the quality and efficiency of metal 3D printing, achieving a part density exceeding 99.95%.
Farsoon claims that Beam Shaping increases production efficiency by over 2.5 times. The molten metal pool width is reportedly increased by 50-100%, improving the overall manufacturing process. Additionally, compared to traditional Gaussian-shaped laser beams, Beam Shaping is expected to reduce metal spatter, minimizing powder contamination and decreasing porosity in printed parts.
The technology was demonstrated on four of Farsoon’s metal 3D printing systems:
FS721M-H-8-CAMS
FS350M-4
FS273M
FS191M
and all these machines were showcased live during TCT Asia.
Of course, Farsoon is not the first or only company working on variable laser beam shaping. Several other industry leaders are also developing similar technologies:
Nikon SLM Solutions has developed Multi-Laser Beam Shaping, which uses multiple lasers with different beam shapes to enhance control over the metal powder melting process.
Trumpf introduced BrightLine Welding, a beam shaping technology that improves welding and 3D printing quality by dynamically adjusting the laser beam shape.
Fraunhofer ILT is conducting research on laser beam shaping in 3D printing, focusing on using non-standard beam shapes such as rings and ellipses to enhance efficiency and print quality.
and EOS, Renishaw, and Additive Industries are also actively developing similar laser beam shaping solutions.
However, the fact remains—Farsoon now has it too. When combined with multi-laser machines (like the previously mentioned 32-laser FS1521M-U), it creates a truly unique and powerful combination.
Now, if only this could translate into higher sales and revenue, because last year, Farsoon Technologies experienced an -18.82% revenue decline, dropping to RMB 491.97M (USD 68M).
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News & Gossip:
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The fact remains, beam shaping will be really benefit to customer versus its additional price tag or is it another OEM driven machine price up strategy? In LPBF no real technical improvements existing. What people like Bambulab, they changed paradigm.