Formlabs announced a new element to their SLS 3D printing ecosystem: Fuse Blast.
Fuse Blast is a fully automated post processing unit that can not only clean powder from freshly completed prints, but also polish the parts.
Formlabs explained that when using the Fuse Blast operators can expect to save approximately 80% of their time, which is significant. The Fuse Blast can run parts through a complete cycle in as short as only 15 minutes, which is quite impressive.
How does the Fuse Blast work? Formlabs explains:
“Providing cleaning and surfacing within one system, the Fuse Blast features automatic tumbling for completely hands-off cleaning that quickly removes semi-sintered and loose powder, as well as an in-line ionizer that prevents dust from re-settling on parts to ensure parts are always clean-to-the-touch.”
There are several interesting features on the Fuse Blast.
One is the ability to execute pre-programmed finishing procedures. These can be chosen by the operator based on the part situation to gain the best results. The presence of such routines would also significantly improve part consistency from batch to batch, since the same post processing would occur.
It’s not all automated, however. There is a kind of manual mode where the operator would be able to intervene and assist the Fuse Blast. This would be most appropriate for large parts that require turning. There’s also a fully manual mode where operators clean the parts themselves. This would be appropriate for parts with complex geometries and devilish niches where powder is tricky to remove.
Finally, there’s the “Fuse Blast Polishing Systems”. This seems to be a tumbler-powered process where part surfaces are polished to a smooth level. Formlabs said they would have a semi-gloss finish and be ready for dyeing, if that is required.
The Fuse Blast appears to be following a trend from Formlabs, which has increasingly found their equipment being used for production applications.
Production is quite different from prototyping. In prototyping the goal is to occasionally produce a high quality single print, whereas in production the goal is to run the equipment 24/7 and produce as many parts as possible. This lowers the cost per part to the maximum extent.
However, Formlabs has realized that a huge component of production is beyond the 3D printer itself and largely in the realm of manual operations. In the past couple of years they have introduced several systems that provide automation for their equipment.
In the case of their resin machines, they introduced their “Automation Ecosystem”, which provides a massive increase in resin part production throughput.
Now we see they are applying the same treatment to their newer SLS equipment. The presence of the Fuse Blast and its automation will almost certainly attract buyers seeking production implementations. Even better for Formlabs, those customers tend to purchase multiple machines.
Fabbaloo friend Joel Telling published a video on this interesting device, please watch for further information:
Via Formlabs
