Quick Summary
Additional Context
In addition to MetalBase and ScrapLabs, we now have a new competitor in the low-cost LPBF space. Chinese firm SnowX aims to release its SnowPod through Kickstarter. The 80 × 80 × 100 mm build volume machine is meant for 316L stainless steel. The company uses a 200W fiber laser. Powder handling will be done by enclosed cartridges. It’s unclear whether this means it will work only with their material or their cartridges. This would be a notable difference, since all the other systems, from MetalBase to Xact Metal and FastForm, are open. Powder management seems to be internal, and the machine can recover powder internally as well. There’s Dual HEPA 13/14 filtration, paired with PM2.5 monitoring.
The company wants to include its own slicing and management software, likely based on OrcaSlicer.