We have two older build chambers that came with our original Fuse 1, and they’re definitely reaching the end of their usable life. They now require increasingly frequent maintenance—especially cleaning and re-greasing the lead screw. We’ve also noticed the plugs are starting to fracture near the screws. It’s unclear whether this is due to repeated heating and cooling cycles or another factor.
We take good care of our equipment to ensure longevity, but to be fair, these chambers are used almost daily in a rotation between two of our Fuse 1+ machines.
I’m curious if others have had similar experiences with long-term use, and what kind of life cycle you’d expect from these components.
It would be great if Formlabs offered a trade-in or core return program—something that would allow for refurbishing or recycling these parts rather than having them end up in the dumpster and eventually a landfill. It feels like there’s still value in these chambers if they could be refreshed or rebuilt.
Im noticing this aswell. So far we have had to kill 1 build chamber. So 3 years was the life span of that particular build chamber.
Refurbing them would cost more than making a new one since they are manufactured in China.
China?? Must be source of the Big Dumb Bags as well.
Yes, I suspect the powder aswell even tho there is no country of origin included in the packinglists etc when they arrive.
For better or worse, I can confirm that the build chambers are manufactured in China, as indicated on the shipping labels. I fully understand and accept that companies need to generate profit from the products they sell. However, concerns arise when considering the overall longevity, build quality, limited warranty, and relatively high cost of these units.
If I were to purchase a $4,000 appliance for personal use and it only lasted two to three years, I would likely choose not to buy from that brand again. It’s a disappointing experience that raises valid questions about long-term value and customer satisfaction.