Ice1 and Ice9 - First Ever Affordable SLS 3D Printers

[Brian_Krassenstein]

We may be about to enter the realm of desktop SLS printers. An Italian company called Norge Systems will be launching a Kickstarter campaign for 2 SLS 3D printers starting next Monday. The Printers, called the Ice1 and Ice9 are priced extremely reasonable for the technology they utilize. Below are the basic specifications and price of both machines. More details on the company and their plans can be found here: http://3dprint.com/11787/ice1-ice9-s...printer-norge/

Ice1 Desktop SLS Printer

• Build Envelope: 20x20x25cm
• Print Speed: 8 to 25mm/hour
• Scan speed: up to 3 m/s
• Layer Thickness: 0.1 – 0.15mm
• Laser: Solid state 10W laser
• Price: $13,000

Ice9 Desktop SLS Printer:

• Scan speed : up to 4 m/s
• Build Envelope: 30x30x45cm
• Layer Thickness: 0.1 – 0.15mm
• Print Speed: 10 to 30mm/hour
• Laser: 40W tube laser – Able to act as a laser engraver as well
• Price $34,000

What do you guys think? Is this going to transform the industry? Check out an image of both these new machines below:

[JRDM]

If it pans out, it could be very nice.

I don't think I would back it though. A year is a long time to have money out on a preordered machine, even more so at $13k and $34k. Maybe if I knew & trusted the company, but even then, it's a sizable risk. And this is a new company without a track record.

Also, who knows what else will be made available before this ships?

I question using it as a laser engraver too though. Maybe they have a way to prevent the soot & ash from contaminating the SLS powders.

It's also pretty obvious they're reading from teleprompters.

[Feign]

In what world is $13,000 considered 'affordable'? I mean, wow, really?

But more seriously, this being the cheapest SLS machine makes more of a case for SLS not being ready for home use any time soon. The 12-ish grand difference between these and the Form1 for instance will buy a whole lot photopolymer for very similar detail and finish to plastic powder SLS.

Now, if they could make metal parts, I'll concede that there might be a market for it, but even a 40 watt laser is not likely to do the trick.

[Brian_Krassenstein]

They plan on doing metal in 2016 but would likely use a different laser, more expensive I assume. $13k is certainly more affordable then the other options out there and for a medium sized business that's not a huge expense, but I get what you mean.

[JRDM]

SLS is very different from SLA. SLS you can make strong parts with nylon and such. SLA, at least Form1 and below, currently makes fragile acrylic-based parts.

[curious aardvark]

yeah home affordable it isn't.

But for reliable nylon prototyping - that's pretty good.

Plus it's a whole different realm of 3d printing tio fff

Mind you between now and when/IF they ever get to market - no doubt the price will rise a bit.

So, what does nylon powder cost ? Anyone know ?

[Compro01]

So, what does nylon powder cost ? Anyone know ?

According to what I can find, somewhere around $12/kilo.

[Remco]

According to what I can find, somewhere around $12/kilo.

That's a reasonable price indeed.

What you guys shouldn't forget that prices for FDM machines used to be $3000 for a good one and they came down all the way to $300 (these are not out yet but you get the point). The Norge printers are only the beginning for what is waiting out there (cheaper/better/etc..)

[curious aardvark]

And the thing to remember about sls printers is you end up with a big cube of powder.

compared to fff there's a LOT Of post print processing and clean up before you have the part.

It's not as user friendly as a fff setup - yet !

[Remco]

And the thing to remember about sls printers is you end up with a big cube of powder.

compared to fff there's a LOT Of post print processing and clean up before you have the part.

It's not as user friendly as a fff setup - yet !

Are you saying that SLS is less user friendly then fff?

(SLS) Quickly dusting away the powder VS manually removing support material (FFF).

I'll pick SLS any day. It's far superior IMO.