3D Printers

Lulzbot hints at SLA 3D printer addition to open source FFF portfolio

Lulzbot, the open-source brand of the FDM 3D printers from Colorado-based manufacturer Aleph Objects, has hinted the development of an stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer in its latest newsletter.

The newsletter heading states: “Wash Away Your 3D Printing Preconceptions: We’ve got the cure for the common printer—our newest solution will be released this September! We’re laser focused on the fine details, get on our wavelength to get the info first.”

The Lulzbot monthly newsletter displays a high-resolution 3D printed rook model in front of a blurred machine. Image via Lulzbot.
The Lulzbot monthly newsletter displays a high-resolution 3D printed rook model in front of a blurred machine. Image via Lulzbot.

FDM to SLA

Lulzbot 3D printers have been used within the maker community for crafts and prototypes as well as tooling within military operations.

According to new research from London-based firm CONTEXT, “Shipments of Personal/Desktop 3D printers saw their first ever year-on-year drop in Q1 2018 with 3% fewer printers shipping globally than in Q1 2017.” With this downturn, companies could be encouraged to diversify from their standard 3D printing technologies.

One recent demonstration of this is Formlabs’ Fuse SLS 3D printerDemonstrated at CES 2018 in January, the Fuse departs from Formlab’s typical line of SLA 3D printers.

Nevertheless, contesting CONTEXT’s findings, Ben Malouf, Director of Marketing Aleph Objects stated, “There was year-over-year growth in Q1 [2018] for LulzBot 3D Printers. This growth shows there is continued strong demand for versatile, reliable desktop solutions in professional and educational environments.”

A penny-sized octopus printed using the new Aerostruder v2 Micro Tool Head. Photo via Aleph Objects.
A “penny-sized” octopus printed using the new Aerostruder v2 Micro Tool Head released earlier this month. Photo via Aleph Objects.

Forum speculation

The 3D printing community is both skeptical and excited about the upcoming Lulzbot hardware. Following the recent launch of the LulzBot Mini 2 desktop FDM 3D printer and the LulzBot Aerostruder v2 Micro, which offers higher-resolution 3D prints, many have attributed the SLA rumors to new high resolutions FDM hardware. Others however, maintain that the keywords in this teaser from Lulzbot, i.e. “wash” “cure” “laser” “wavelength”, are all too telling.

An official announcement from the company is expected in the coming months.

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Featured image shows the Lulzbot monthly newsletter which displays a high-resolution 3D printed rook model in front of a blurred machine. Image via Lulzbot.