FuseLab’s Rotary Extruder engages the build material at more points than other extruders.

FuseLab’s FL300M FFF (fused filament fabrication)-style printer incorporates the company’s rotary extruder technology, which reportedly helps prevent under-extrusion of material—a common source of part failure with other printers.

The extruders on conventional FFF printers feed filament into the melt zone with one or two drive gears, resulting in one or two points of contact between the drive system and filament. At higher speeds or extrusion forces, this can lead to slippage and subsequent under-extrusion.

The rotary extruder comes with three drive rollers, each of which provides multiple points of contact. This design element significantly increases engagement between the drive mechanism and filament, improving the extrusion process.

The manufacturer says the technology proves especially beneficial when 3D-printing parts with metal-powder filaments. They are more fragile, due to their high metal-powder and low binder content, and the distributed contact of the rotary extruder lowers the risk of filament failure.

The FL300M features independent dual extruders; a print volume of 300 by 300 by 280 mm; nozzle diameters of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 mm; layer height from 0.05 to 1.00 mm; multimaterial capabilities; a heated, enclosed build plate (up to 110 degrees C); and an enclosed filament chamber.

The Additive Report focuses on the use of additive manufacturing technology in the real world of manufacturing. Today’s manufacturers are using 3D printing technology to create tools and fixtures, and some are even using AM for high-volume production work. Their stories will be covered here.

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