Fusion3 has announced a significant expansion of the number of materials its flagship F400 3D printer can support.
The announcement comes as the 3D printer manufacturing company continues to build on its open material philosophy. Over 35 different formulations of generic and specialty 3D filaments produced by 13 of the world’s leading 3D filament manufacturers can now be used in the F400. Tested and approved filament categories now include generic and specialty formulations of PLA, ABS, ASA, PET, PETG, PC-ABS, Nylon, Polycarbonate, Polyester and Acrylics, among others.
Chris Padgett, Fusion3 CEO, said the expansion of materials compatible with the F400 was done to encourage their customers to persist with 3D printing technologies.
“Most of our customers use industrial plastics in their daily operations and tell us they will adopt 3D printing technologies more quickly when these plastics are available as printable filaments,” said Padgett. “Fusion3 has created a rigorous filament testing and certification programme for new materials with our line of affordable, high-performance 3D printers. This programme ensures our customers can select quality filament manufacturers in both the US and Europe, and leverages the development of new, innovative materials, ranging from high temperature/ high strength plastics, novel flexible or metal, ceramic and organic material infused filaments.”
The Fusion3 certification process is composed of two steps. First, the company evaluates the materials for both performance and safety. Second, for those materials that pass those criteria, the company then creates turn-key configuration files, optimised for the F400 to ensure successful results in the very first print.
“Unlike many 3D printer manufacturers, we do not sell filament to our customers,” said Chip Royce, Fusion3’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Customers have told us they don’t like being locked into high prices and a limited choice of compatible materials. Fusion3 provides our customers the ability to shop across different 3D filament manufacturers, ensuring the best quality, price and customer service.”
Each month, Fusion3 updates its list of certified materials and publishes turn-key configuration files for each material. This month the company has added ASA, Flexible Materials and PETG.
Fusion3 first launched the F400, its second machine, in April 2016. It was primarily designed to deliver reliability and high-standard output quality for the business and education markets.
