A Desktop SLS 3D Printer for Under $3K?
US-based start-up Micronics wants to make selective laser sintering (SLS) more accessible, so it's putting its bet on a Kickstarter launch to raise funds.
3D printing newcomer Micronics has launched a Kickstarter campaign for the smallest SLS 3D printer we’ve ever seen, aptly named the Micron.
With packages starting at $2,999, the machine could be an affordable first step into SLS 3D printing for a wide range of businesses. It boasts a build volume of 160 x 160 x 205 mm, which is just a bit smaller than a Formlabs Fuse 1+ 30W ($29,000). It claims a typical build speed of 8 mm/hour, which is relatively slow compared to a Sinterit or a Sharebot. The layer thickness runs between 0.1 and 0.15 mm, which is respectable but, of course, no where near the 0.04 mm of an EOS or the 0.08 mm of a 3D Systems industrial SLS.
As with most SLS 3D printers, the Micron means you won’t need support structures, as unfused powder stabilizes parts during printing. It is currently compatible with PA12 and TPU 90A materials, with more “high-performance polymers like nylon” to come. It also offers safety-focused features like a full enclosure for powder, HEPA filters, and a fume extractor.
For slicing, the Micron utilizes their own software MicroSlicer, which leverages “an interactive physics-based packing algorithm” that aims to enable users to better organize and stack parts within the printer’s build chamber.
The Micron’s full specs are available on the Micron’s Kickstarter page, where you can also back the machine.
Editor's Note – This article highlights a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. Kickstarter is not a shop; campaigns are under no legal obligation to deliver on crowdfunding promises, nor offer refunds on unfulfilled campaign rewards. For more insight, read our article 8 Things to Watch for When Backing a 3D Printing Kickstarter.
Drill deeper:
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