3D Printers

FormLabs宣布Fuse 1 SLS 3D打印机,自动生产单元和New​​ Balance Partnership


3D printer manufacturer and designerFormlabs总部位于马萨诸塞州波士顿的,宣布推出两台新机器,并与当地鞋类制造商New Balance建立了合作伙伴关系。

两台机器中的第一台是保险丝1选择性激光烧结(SLS)台式3D打印机。

The second is the Form Cell, which is Formlabs’ answer to production-scale 3D printing, using a robotic arm to operate a farm of Form 2 SLA machines.

滑动机器人臂从形式单元中的形式2机器中检索一个3D打印的零件。剪辑通过Formlabs在YouTube上

Inside the Fuse 1

Fuse 1代替了形式2 3D打印机所采用的树脂材料,而是使用基于粉末的原料和激光将颗粒烧在一起。可用的材料包括高强度和化学耐药性塑料尼龙PA 12和PA 11,该行业用于功能性原型和最终用户零件。

Parts 3D printed on the Fuse 1, including a drill housing, bicycle seat and headphones prototype. Photo via Formlabs
Parts 3D printed on the Fuse 1, including a drill housing, bicycle seat and headphones prototype. Photo via Formlabs

粉末床的烧结3D物体意味着所有零件都可以免支撑,从而使设计的几何复杂性和从打印机直接获得更好的饰面。机器中使用的材料也可以重新使用,这有助于Formlabs的主张,即“SLS produces the least expensive per-part cost in 3D printing”.

Detail of a lobster 3D printed on the Fuse 1. Photo via Formlabs
Detail of a lobster 3D printed on the Fuse 1. Photo via Formlabs

Beta testing and pricing

Beta versions of the machine have already been in use at a number of global brands, including Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP)臭鼬。Google ATAP的经理David Beardsley评论,

SLS技术使设计师和工程师能够通过将逼真的材料特性与3D打印设计约束的最小化来加速其原型制作过程。通过保险丝1,高精度零件的组合,减少的周期时间和健壮的材料使团队可以在整个设计过程中轻松迭代,并从白板到最终零件加速。

保险丝1 SLS 3D打印机。通过formlabs的照片
保险丝1 SLS 3D打印机。通过formlabs的照片

保险丝1的价格起价为9,999美元,比最便宜的SLS 3D打印机低约二十倍。全包打印机的完整包装,带有后加工的粉末拆除站,额外的活塞电源和材料,另有10,000美元的价格为19,999美元。预计2018年中期是第一次运输。

A closer look at the Form Cell

如Formlabs的预告片视频所示, the Form Cell is an enclosure designed to operate, unload,wash and cure parts3D打印在表格2 3D打印机上。封闭的系统允许24小时生产,减少劳动力和材料成本。

The Form Cell automated setup. Photo via Formlabs
The Form Cell automated setup. Photo via Formlabs

To get to this stage, the Form Cell has also undergone a system of rigorous testing, as detailed by Formlabs CEO Max Lobovsky,

…with Form Cell, we are making an efficient, scalable production solution by leveraging the Form 2, an SLA print engine that’s already stood the test of printing more than 10 million parts.

新平衡鞋类合作伙伴关系

在公司的另一项公告中,Formlabs也将与鞋类制造商New Balance合作。该合作伙伴关系的完整详细信息已经结束了,但是该公司透露,它将帮助New Balance创建高性能,3D可打印的材料,以连续生产鞋子。

鞋类的生产预计将于2018年某个时候在波士顿的New Balance开始。

系列生产的趋势

形式的单元格是3D打印行业的当前趋势的标志,用于管理系列生产的机器。在快速 + TCT处Stratasys宣布了连续的构建演示者for the production of FDM parts. Voodoo Manufacturing have also set upSkywalker项目,能够为最多九台3D打印机提供服务经过一夜。

This level of production is especially pertinent for footwear manufacturers seeking to add 3D printing to production lines. In the Futurecraft 4D project,adidas are incorporating Carbon 3D printers to make mass-cutomized sneaker midsoles, andReebok are utilizing 3D printing in the Liquid Factory concept.

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特色图像:滑雪镜SLS 3D打印在保险丝1上,仍在粉末床上。通过formlabs的照片