Formlabs Fuse 1+ 30W vs. Markforged X3, X5, X7, Mark Two
Looking for a versatile, professional 3D printer for producing strong, long-lasting parts? See why the Formlabs Fuse 1+ 30W is the leading industrial-grade SLS 3D printer for engineers and manufacturers.
Formlabs Fuse 1+ 30W
Print Technology
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
Selective laser sintering is the most common additive manufacturing technology for industrial applications, trusted by engineers and manufacturers across different industries for its ability to produce strong, functional parts.
The Fuse 1+ 30W is the first benchtop industrial SLS 3D printer that offers high quality, compact footprint, and a complete, simplified workflow at a fraction of the cost of traditional industrial SLS systems.
BENEFITS
- Excellent mechanical properties
- Great accuracy and print quality
- No need for support structures
- High throughput
- Cost-efficient for large production runs
- Production-ready
DRAWBACKS
- Lower strength than continuous fiber-reinforced parts
- Manual workflow to extract and clean parts during post-processing
APPLICATIONS
- End-use parts
- Short-run, bridge, or custom manufacturing
- Functional prototyping
- Long-lasting, durable manufacturing aids
- Medical devices, prosthetics, and orthotics
Print Quality
Accurate and repeatable
SLS 3D printers use a high-powered laser to fuse small particles of polymer powder. The unfused powder supports the part during printing and eliminates the need for dedicated support structures. This makes the Fuse 1+ 30W ideal for complex geometries, including interior features, undercuts, thin walls, and negative features. Parts produced with SLS printing have excellent mechanical characteristics, with strength resembling that of injection-molded parts.
Costs
Starting at $27,999
The $27,999 starting price includes all the essential tools required to start printing and access to all software features. For $40,535, the complete setup includes an advanced post-processing and powder recovery station, and a professional service plan for one year for a turnkey solution.
Build your quote in our online store and buy directly from Formlabs via sales or locally from a worldwide partner network.
MATERIAL COSTS
Affordable
Formlabs Nylon Powders start at $100/kg and even the most expensive carbon-fiber reinforced powder is only $166/kg.
Build Volume
16.5 x 16.5 x 30 cm
6.5 x 6.5 x 11.8 in
Throughput
High
SLS 3D printers allow you to pack parts tightly to optimize each build for the highest productivity. The Fuse 1+ 30W is designed for nonstop throughput; it comes with a removable build chamber, allowing you to start new prints right after the previous print has finished to minimize downtime. Post-processing a large batch of parts with the Fuse Sift also allows you optimize for the lowest time per part.
Materials
Four high-performance materials, more coming soon
The Fuse 1+ 30W currently prints with Nylon 12, Nylon 12 GF, Nylon 11, and Nylon 11 CF.
- Nylon 12 is a general-purpose, versatile material with high detail and great dimensional accuracy.
- Nylon 11 is a ductile, strong, flexible material for when durability and performance are key.
- Nylon 12 GF is a glass-filled material with enhanced stiffness and thermal stability for demanding industrial environments.
- Nylon 11 CF is a carbon-filled composite for end-use applications that require both high stiffness and superior strength. More materials are coming soon.
WASTE
Zero waste printing
By optimizing packing density and powder recyclability, the Fuse 1+ 30W can print without any waste, enabling lower cost per part and improving sustainability.
Markforged X3, X5, X7, Mark Two
Print Technology
Continuous Fiber Reinforcement (CFR)
Markforged technology is based on fused deposition modeling (FDM), also known as fused filament fabrication (FFF), which is the most widely used form of 3D printing at the consumer level.
The Mark Two, X5, and X7 models can also lay down a combination of continuous carbon or fiberglass threads and polymer on the XY plane to selectively enforce certain planes or axes of pressure.
BENEFITS
- Good accuracy and print quality
- Reinforced parts as strong as metals on the XY plane
- Minimal post-processing for simple designs
DRAWBACKS
- Anisotropy (weaker in Z dimension)
- Lower resolution and worse surface finish
- Limited ability to print complex parts
APPLICATIONS
- End-use parts
- Functional prototyping
- Long-lasting, durable manufacturing aids
Resolution
Varies
Markforged 3D printers build parts by melting and extruding thermoplastic filament, which a printer nozzle deposits layer by layer in the build area. This technology offers lower resolution and accuracy compared to SLS and printed parts show more visible layer lines. It is well-suited for simple parts that might typically be machined, but complex designs or parts with intricate features require excessive support structures to print successfully.
Cost
Starting at $19,900 to $77,990
The desktop-format Markforged Mark 2 starts at $19,900, while the large-format industrial X series starts at $39,990 for the X3 and tops out at $77,990 for the flagship X7. Service plans cost an additional 10% of the cost of the printer per year.
Complicated and opaque pricing, requires multiple quote requests and negotiation.
MATERIAL COSTS
Expensive
The Onyx carbon-filled nylon filament costs $200/kg, while reinforcement materials are substantially more expensive, up to $2500/kg for carbon fiber.
Build Volume
33 x 27 x 20 cm
13 x 10.6 x 7.9 in
Markforged Mark 232 x 13.2 x 15.4 cm
12.6 x 5.2 x 6 in
Resolution
Low
Filament-based 3D printers only allow you to lay out parts on the build platform, which means that most of the build volume is generally not usable. With Markforged printers, this is further exacerbated by the fact that the reinforcements can only by laid down on the XY plane, which complicates the orientation of the parts.
Materials
Four to five base plastics, zero to five reinforcement options
The base material for Markforged printers is Onyx, carbon-filled nylon filament. Onyx is also available in ESD-safe and flame-retardant varieties. Depending on the printer model, common FDM materials like nylon, PLA, and TPU are also available. Continuous fiber reinforcement materials include carbon fiber, kevlar, and fiberglass.
WASTE
Wasteful
Depending on the complexity of the design, support structures are required for printing parts successfully, which leads to excessive waste.
Do you have more questions about the differences between these solutions?
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Meet the Fuse 1+ 30W SLS Printer
FROM DESIGN TO FINISHED PART
An Innovative Workflow, Intuitive From Start To Finish
PreForm
Efficient Print Packing for Optimal Part Density
Use our free print preparation software, PreForm, to import STL, OBJ, or 3MF files, orient models, estimate print times, and pack parts for optimized density, reducing print time and limiting waste.
Fast, Simple
Optimize Prints in One Click
Use our free print preparation software, PreForm, to import 3MF, STL, or OBJ files, orient models, estimate print times and material usage, and monitor prints.
PreForm’s powerful 3D packing algorithm automatically arranges models to increase throughput and reduce material waste by optimizing the packing density.
Manageable
Monitor and Manage Your Printer From Anywhere
Take control of your production across multiple locations and machines. Monitor the live video feed from the comfort of your desk and track print jobs and material flow with our cloud-based tools to ensure minimum downtime and maximum output.
Powder Recovery
Consistent Results and Complete Design Freedom
Unsintered powder supports your parts during printing so you can create complex, interconnecting designs with no need for support structures.
Fine-tuned settings and Formlabs’ patent-pending Surface Armor technology enable mechanical properties and surface quality and ensure professional, consistent results every time.
Consistent
Ready-to-Use Parts in 15 Minutes
Go from printed to professionally finished parts in as little as 15 minutes with a fully automated workflow.
Extract your parts from the unsintered powder in only 5 minutes with Fuse Sift, our all-in-one SLS powder management station, and reuse up to 80% used powder in your next print to minimize cost and eliminate waste.
Fuse Blast, our fully automated cleaning and polishing solution, delivers consumer-grade parts in as little as 10 minutes thanks to the pre-programmed routines.
Nonstop Throughput
Designed for 24/7 Uptime
Achieve faster-than-ever printing speeds to deliver prototypes and small series of end-use parts in under 24 hours.
Industry-leading rapid cooldown times allow you to start a new print within 75 minutes of your previous print job.
Enable continuous throughput by adding a second, removable build chamber and relying on the streamlined, automated post-processing workflow.
A Material That Does It All
Balancing strength and detail, Nylon 12 Powder is a highly capable material for both functional prototyping and end-use production of complex assemblies and durable parts with high environmental stability.
Ductile, Dimensionally Accurate, and Accessible Parts
Best-in-class refresh rate among Nylon powders, high ductility, and great dimensional accuracy across the build chamber. Choose Nylon 12 Tough Powder to print more durable parts for prototyping and small batch production that have reduced warpage without sacrificing strength.
Versatile, Customizable, Customer-Facing Parts
All of the great qualities of Nylon 12 Powder with the customizability of white parts. Choose Nylon 12 White Powder to create functional prototypes and end-use customer-facing parts that can be easily dyed to match brand aesthetics as well as medical devices and models with high contrast and detail.
Highly Ductile, Impact-Resistant Parts
For highly ductile, robust parts, Nylon 11 Powder is our higher-performance nylon material for functional prototyping and small batch production. Compared to Nylon 12 Powder, our Nylon 11 Powder is more flexible, less brittle, and better at printing thin walls.
Tough Elastomer for Resilient, Skin-Safe Products
Balancing high elongation at break and superior tear strength, TPU 90A Powder enables you to 3D print flexible, skin-safe prototypes and end-use parts that withstand the demands of everyday use – all at a low cost per part thanks to a 20% refresh rate.
Ductile, Lightweight, and Chemically Resistant Parts
Use genuine polypropylene to produce works-like prototypes and durable end-use parts that are chemically resistant, weldable, and watertight. Polypropylene Powder offers high ductility without a nitrogen environment, enabling durable parts that allow for repeated bending and flexing.
Stiff, Stable, Functional Parts
A glass-filled material with enhanced stiffness and thermal stability for demanding industrial environments. Choose Nylon 12 GF Powder to produce stiff functional prototypes or end-use parts for applications where structural rigidity and thermal stability are critical.
Carbon Fiber SLS, for Strong and Lightweight Parts
Get the best of nylon and carbon fiber with this highly stable, high-performance material, perfect for end-use applications that require both high stiffness and superior strength. Choose Nylon 11 CF Powder to produce lightweight rigid parts that can withstand repeated impact and remain stable over time, even at high temperatures.
Print With Any 1064 nm Powder
Unlock the possibility to print with any 1064 nm powder on Fuse Series SLS 3D printers, empowering researchers and expert users to experiment with an advanced printing tool. Optional purchase, one-time lifetime license fee per printer.
Bulk Powder Pricing for Your Lowest Cost Per Part
3D printing is now cost-effective even at higher volumes thanks to substantial volume discounts for our SLS Powders. Discounts start at 20% for customers purchasing 50 kg of powder in bulk and prices can reach as low as $45 per kilogram.
High Quality Parts, Quickly and Affordably
Reduce costs, iterate faster, and bring better experiences to market with our advanced 3D printing materials designed to deliver beautiful final parts for a wide range of applications.
$16
22 hours
3 bindings
10 bindings
100,000,000 Parts Printed With Formlabs Technology
Compare Fuse Series Printers
Fuse 1+ 30W
High-Performance Benchtop SLS 3D Printer
Laser Type
30 Watt Fiber Laser
Unlocks Same-Day, In-House 3D Printing
Material Compatability
Complete Powder Range
Nylon 12, Nylon 11, Nylon 12 GF, Nylon 11 CF, Polypropylene, and TPU 90A Powders
Print Environment Options
Inert Gas and Air
Inert Gas Enhances Material Properties and Recyclability
Efficiency
Zero Waste Printing
Enabled by High Print Density and Material Recyclability
Fuse 1
Accessible Benchtop SLS 3D Printer
Laser Type
10 Watt Fiber Laser
Unlocks Reliable, In-House 3D Printing
Material Compatibility
Core Powder Range
Nylon 12, Nylon 11, Nylon 12 GF, and TPU 90A Powders
Print Environment Options
Air
One Option. Easy Setup.
Efficiency
Low Waste Printing
Enabled by High Print Density
A New Wave of Independent Manufacturing Starts Now
Rethink product development and take control of your own manufacturing. Configure your Fuse Series setup today.