SnowX SnowPod: desktop metal 3D printer with laser melting, from $5,299 on Kickstarter

After the Studio 3e8 Mesa 1, here is the next metal printer for small workshops, this time using the industrial process: SnowX’s SnowPod melts metal powder layer by layer with a laser (selective laser melting, SLM). It will be sold via Kickstarter, with the campaign listed as “Coming Soon”.

Specifications according to SnowX

• Laser: 200 W fibre laser, spot about 40 µm
• Build volume: 80 x 80 x 100 mm
• Layers: 30 to 60 µm, up to 800 mm/s
• Material: stainless steel 316L and 17-4PH for now, more to follow via updates
• Shielding gas: nitrogen; the optional NitroPod generator produces it on demand, without gas bottles
• Powder: from sealed cartridges; according to SnowX, over 90% of the powder is recovered under lab conditions
• Filters: two HEPA filters (H13 inside, H14 outside), plus sensors that pause printing if air quality drops
• Machine: 360 x 360 x 660 mm, 40 kg, 700 W, 100 to 240 V
• Software: SnowPath slicer included

Price

At launch, SnowX lists $5,299 for the printer (MSRP $9,299) and $5,899 with NitroPod (MSRP $9,999). A VIP deposit discount is planned for the fourth quarter. SnowX has not yet given a euro price or delivery date. Notebookcheck plans to look at the workflow first-hand at Formnext in Frankfurt.