Nexa3D has announced the third installation of its QLS 820 high-throughput laser sintering platform. Xometry, the world’s biggest on-demand industrial parts marketplace, is the most recent manufacturer to join the QLS 820 Manufacturing Partner Network. Quickparts and JawsTec are two additional QLS service providers.
“Our customers have the need for higher-volume, production-grade 3D printed components that can be sourced quickly and cost-efficiently, and we look forward to delivering on those needs in the coming months with Nexa3D’s laser sintering technology.”
– Randy Altschuler, Chief Executive Officer, Xometry
QLS 820 Manufacturing Partner Network
The QLS 820 is designed for higher volume production and higher temperature processing of thermoplastic components, as it has the highest part throughput in its class. It represents a new class of powder bed technology, combining ultrafast printing with open materials and cloud-based software to deliver orders of magnitude higher production volumes than other powder-bed solutions on the market.
Its quad-laser system enables print speeds of up to 8L per hour and an average packing density of 20%, resulting in up to 4x productivity gains over other SLS systems. With a large build volume of 350 x 350 x 400mm and a Z resolution of 50-200 microns, it is arguably the most powerful thermoplastic additive production solution on the market.
The system provides a technology-agnostic, open, and automation-ready platform that is adaptable to integrations ranging from MES and ES systems to modular post-processing solutions. The QLS Command Center is a large touchscreen control station powered by NexaX software that allows fleet management, print preparation, and real-time printer status and print performance to be managed from a single centralised location.
The QLS 820 platform provides polymer-based production comparable to traditional injection moulding without design constraints, costly tooling investments, or long lead times. The system is currently compatible with standard materials such as PA11 and PA12, as well as higher-temperature materials such as PA6, at processing temperatures of up to 240 degrees Celsius.
Last year, Quickparts and JawsTec joined forces to launch the QLS 820 Manufacturing Network Program. With the addition of Xometry and other high utilisation customers to follow, we are continuing to expand our partner network.
