Formlabs, a 3-D printing specialist, has “reinvented post-processing for SLS 3-D printing” with the launch of ‘Fuse Blast’, a fully automated part-cleaning and polishing solution that has been designed to ‘drastically lower labour and overhead costs, reduce post-processing time by 80%, and deliver consistent, customer-grade parts in as little as 15min.
The company says its Fuse 1 Series printers account for nearly half of the world-wide powder bed fusion printers sold since this model was launched in 2020, and that expanding the SLS ecosystem with the Fuse Blast and new software updates will support the fleet of Fuse printers on the market.
Dávid Lakatos, Formlabs’ chief product officer, said: “Providing cleaning and surfacing within one system, the Fuse Blast features not only automatic tumbling for completely hands-off cleaning that quickly removes semi-sintered and loose powder, but also an in-line ionizer that prevents dust from re-settling on parts, thereby ensuring they are always clean-to-the-touch.
“Also ensuring simplified, improved and streamlined post processing are: pre-programmed settings that are compatible with multi-material cycles and eliminate guesswork to deliver consistent results; manual assisted and hand-held cleaning options; and a Fuse Blast polishing system upgrade that goes beyond cleaning to surface finishing, delivering clean parts that are also smooth, scuff-resistant, and dye-ready.”
Chris Haak, operations lead at
Autotiv, a contract manufacturer with customers in industries that include robotics, automotive, and consumer goods, said: “Adding this system to any new or existing SLS workflow is a massive improvement over a manual cleaning and post-processing workflow. The Blast also takes stress off our bodies due to removing the repetitive movement of manual cleaning.”