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3D printer OEM Formlabs has launched its new desktop resin 3D printers, Form 4 and its variant, Form 4B, priced at $4,499 and $6,299 respectively.
Targeting professionals in diverse fields, these printers aim to deliver improved performance and usability. Representing Formlabs’ fourth generation of desktop resin 3D printers, the Form 4 series possesses high speed, reliability, and material properties. Noteworthy attributes of Form 4 include accelerated print speeds in comparison to its predecessor, Form 3+, completing prints in under two hours for most projects and reaching vertical speeds of up to 100 mm/hr.
“Form 4 is a huge leap not only for Formlabs and our customers, but also for the entire 3D printing world,” said Formlabs CEO and Co-Founder Max Lobovsky. “More than a decade ago, Formlabs created the desktop SLA 3D printer category and set a new standard for accuracy, reliability, ease of use, and affordability in 3D printing. We’ve built on the strength and insights gathered from more than 130,000 printers on the market and over 300 million parts printed to deliver the Form 4, our best SLA printer ever. Its reliability and new level of speed will transform how our customers develop new products.”
Formlabs flagship Form 4 and Form 4B 3D printers
Form 4 utilizes an innovative Low Force Display (LFD) print engine, deviating from the industry-standard laser and galvanometer technology. This engine, incorporating several components, flaunts an ultra-high-power backlight (16 mw/cm2), a unique release texture, the Light Processing Unit 4 (LPU 4), and a dual-layer, flexible film resin tank. The objectives of this new system aim to improve reliability through pre-validated print settings, precise heating control, force sensing, and debris detection capabilities.
Form 4 sets itself apart with its exceptional reliability, credited to industry-leading print success ratios. Validated print settings, precise heating controls, force-sensing features, and debris detection systems contribute to this reliability. Its capacity to consistently churn out precise and well-fitting parts is a distinguishing feature of Form 4. This capability is realized through the usage of 50-micron pixels, highly focused light, advanced pixel smoothing algorithms, and delicate support structures.
The design of Form 4 emphasizes on user-friendliness. Via its intuitive interface, users can understand the printing process in merely 15 minutes. Automatic resin handling, quick material changes, automated post-processing functions, and easily detachable build platforms facilitate this quick learning.
“At Microsoft, we offer support for all hardware categories. We typically rely on Form 4 for projects that require high levels of precision and the use of engineering-grade materials,” stated Mark Honschke, who leads the Additive Prototyping at Microsoft. “Form 4 delivers high-performance components with impressively fast printing times, enabling our model makers to create several iterations within a single day.”
Form 4 is notably characterized by a 40% cost reduction per part. This is drawn from a combination of factors such as the use of long-lasting resin tanks that can sustain over 75,000 layers, and a sturdy Light Processing Unit capable of managing over 1 million layers. Additionally, the affordability of Form 4 is boosted by a decrease in resin costs, a print volume that has increased by 30%, and a throughput that is 3.5 times higher.
Expanding the resin range
Formlabs is broadening its resin range, which is currently priced from $99 per liter. This expansion includes six new resins devised to heighten printing capabilities and accommodate a variety of requirements. Among these additions, four are newly formulated General Purpose Resins, which have been optimized specifically for the Form 4 ecosystem.
These resins offer significantly accelerated printing speeds, potentially up to two to five times faster than older formulations, and also provide enhanced durability and color precision. The introduction of Fast Model Resin facilitates the prompt production of speed prototypes and orthodontic models, while Precision Model Resin guarantees the construction of highly accurate dental models with reliable fitting.
Beyond that, Form 4 is validated to use more than 17 other performance materials from the extensive Formlabs’ resource library with more materials consistently added to expand its compatibility and application scope. Despite sharing many features and functionalities, the Form 4B is compatible with an additional 15 biocompatible materials, making it appropriate for applications demanding particular material characteristics and certifications in healthcare environments.
Technical specifications of the Form 4 3D printer
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| Technology | Low Force Display (LFD) |
| Build volume (W x D x H) | 20.0 × 12.5 × 21.0 cm | 7.9 × 4.9 × 8.3 inches |
| Layer thickness (Z resolution) | 25 – 300 microns |
| XY resolution | 50 microns |
| Average print speed (100 µm layer height) | 40 mm/h |
| Maximum print speed | 100 mm/h |
| Resin Tank lifetime | 75,000+ layers with any Formlabs material |
| Printer weight | 18.3 kg | 40.4 lb |
| Printer dimensions | 39.8 × 36.7 × 55.4 cm | 15.7 × 14.5 × 21.9 inches |
| Warranty and service | One-year warranty included; Paid service and extended warranty options are available |
| Software compatibility | Windows 7 and up; Mac OS X 10.12 and up |
| File types accepted | STL, OBJ, 3MF |
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Read More: Unveiling of Formlabs' New 3D Printers: Form 4 and Form 4B - 3D Printing News