Scrap Labs provides a bench‑top laser powder‑bed fusion printer that directly fuses metal powder to produce >99 % dense 316L stainless steel parts. The system combines closed‑loop laser and thermal control, fault‑tolerant recovery, and a sealed consumable cartridge model, enabling low‑volume metal printing for engineers, labs, and makers at a $9,600 price point.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Metal additive manufacturing is dominated by large, six‑figure laser powder‑bed fusion (LPBF) systems that require dedicated facilities, specialized operators, and high material overhead. This cost and complexity restrict access for small‑batch producers, makers, and research labs that need high‑performance metal parts on demand.
Solution
Scrap Labs delivers a bench‑top LPBF platform that combines industrial‑grade laser control, thermal stability, and precision motion in a compact, cost‑effective package. The system eliminates binders and post‑processing steps, feeding metal powder directly into a high‑power laser to produce parts with >99 % density. Integrated sensors and closed‑loop calibration provide repeatable build quality while smart recovery workflows minimize downtime after power loss or fault events. An open‑community hardware license lets users modify the stack, and a consumable cartridge model simplifies material handling. Pricing starts at $9,600 for a founder kit, making metal printing a viable capability for individual engineers, small manufacturers, and educational labs. Early‑access production slots are offered through a reservation system, allowing partners to validate designs before full commercial release.
Target Audience
Primary customers are engineers, prototyping labs, makerspaces, and small‑scale manufacturers that require low‑volume, high‑performance metal parts without investing in enterprise‑grade equipment.
Features
- Direct metal LPBF process (no binders, no sintering, no tumbling) delivering >99 % density 316L stainless steel parts
- Ultra‑compact bench‑top chassis that fits on a standard workbench, reducing floor‑space requirements
- High‑precision linear motion system with sub‑micron repeatability and real‑time laser power monitoring for consistent melt pool control
- Closed‑loop thermal management and smart calibration routines that auto‑adjust laser focus and power based on in‑process sensor feedback
- Fault‑tolerant recovery workflow with automatic pause, resume, and error‑logging to protect part integrity after interruptions
- Open‑source hardware license; commercial use requires a simple agreement, fostering community innovation while protecting IP
- Consumable metal powder cartridge system with sealed handling to ensure safety and material consistency
- Cloud‑connected build dashboard offering live status, layer‑by‑layer visualization, and post‑process analytics via a secure web interface