Formlabs’ fantastic 3D printers offer impressive hardware and boast many standout and unique features, setting Formlabs printers apart from other 3D printers and ensuring they are popular among 3D printing enthusiasts today.
There are many 3D printer brands available on the market; why should you choose Formlabs 3D printers over another brand? Throughout the article Solid Print3D will answer that question and more as we share the advantages that you can gain from using Formlabs’ printers so that you can see if it is the right 3D printer brand for you!
Low Force Stereolithography
Formlabs 3D printers are known for their high-quality prints and speedy process. The result is a higher resolution print with finer details than most other printers currently on the market are capable of.
With the enhanced quality of edge-to-edge printing, it is suitable for a broad range of projects, delivers industrial quality prints and pushes the limits of what can be done with desktop 3D printing.
The Formlabs Form 3 – one of their latest 3D printers – uses the newest printing technology, stereolithography apparatus (SLA). With SLA technology, you can achieve better prints in comparison to printers that still use the basic Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF).
SLA utilises laser beams that quickly and precisely zap resin into the target 3D model, to create highly detailed and accurate prints. On the other hand, FFF uses a traditional heated filament inserted into a glue-gun type apparatus, which cannot produce a print as clear as what SLA is capable of.
Moreover, their SLA 3D printers are further re-engineered and upgraded with the Low Force Stereolithography (LFS) technology. With which the force used on parts when printing is reduced, allowing for light-touch support.
Beautiful And Functional Design
In terms of design, Formlabs printers go beyond aesthetics. Their Form 3 has a stylish black base and an eye-catching orange hood that covers the printing area. This hood is made of specialised clear plastic that protects your resin from UV rays, while also letting you monitor the printing process.
Also, the laser is inside a sealed Light Processing Unit, which prevents dust and debris from interfering with the printing process.
Easy And Convenient To Use
Despite offering cutting-edge technology that a user would expect to require manufacturer support contracts and elaborate training, Formlabs printers are actually quite easy to operate and maintain.
Most Formlabs printers come with a touchscreen user panel about the size of a mobile phone, which can be used to control the printer. Also, it has built-in user-friendly software to help you efficiently manage all of your printing jobs!
Some Formlabs printers also have helpful features, such as self-checking systems that can refill its resin tank once empty. It also notifies you about any errors, allowing you to resolve them quickly.
To finish printing tasks with minimal effort, Formlabs have integrated their printers with smart sensors and remote printing features. Thanks to which, 3D printing can be done with minimal supervision, and you can leave the printer to do its job – even overnight! Parts are also easily replaced, as they are modular.
Grow Your 3D Printing Business With Our Offers
3D printers are a worthwhile investment for many modern businesses to make. Since Formlabs continue to update and improve their software and printers, the 3D printing industry will grow bigger as will your business.
This top-of-the-range printer has already produced many success stories in the 3D printing industry. Still, we want even more businesses to experience the benefits that it brings.
The Formlabs Form 3 price makes it a significant investment for smaller companies. With that in mind, we offer alternative financial solutions for you via our partnership with Hensley Stephens. Their financing plans will not just significantly reduce the upfront cost of your 3D printer, but can also help you preserve your cash flow.
We can assess what arrangements will best match your financial needs so that you can begin your journey to success without breaking the bank.
Get An Excellent Deal With Our Complete Package
If you want the latest 3D printer from Formlabs, we are proud to offer our amazing Formlabs Form 3 complete package! This package comes with everything you need to start using this fantastic piece of hardware.
It includes not just the Form 3 itself, but the Resin Tank, Finish Kit, Build Platform, and Preform software. You can even purchase accessories such as the Form Cure or Form Wash consumables, as well as various types of resin.
If you want to get up to speed as a 3D printing professional in no time, you can also purchase one of our excellent training courses. We offer one day’s worth of either Formlabs SLA Training or Design For Additive Training.
If you are keen to see the quality of the Form 3’s prints, we’ll be happy to send you some samples so you can see for yourself! With all of our Formlabs 3D printers, you can order some finished prints so that you can determine if the quality, colours, surface finish, and range of materials are right for you.
Hassle-Free Online Shopping For Your 3D Printing Needs
We have made shopping for 3D printers convenient and straightforward despite the technical knowledge involved in such purchase.
With just a few clicks, you can have a good idea of which premium 3D printers best suit your needs. We have a dedicated “Help Me Choose” menu that incorporates the most useful information when choosing a printer.
Whether you want something durable or inexpensive, our website will guide you in making the right purchase!
Solid Print3D is your top source of 3D printing equipment, consumables, training, and support. Work with us to take the guesswork out of choosing your perfect 3D printer.
Contact us by filling in the form at www.solidprint3d.co.uk/contact-us/ or calling 01926 333 777.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What can 3D printers do?
Through an additive process, a three dimensional printer can turn digital files into solid three-dimensional objects and shapes using less material than if they are manufactured traditionally. The process is also called additive manufacturing.
What do you need for a 3D printer?
To begin printing quality 3D models, you’ll need the following:
- A computer
- A 3D printer
- Filament
- 3D models
- Slicing software
Is it worth getting a 3D printer?
3D printers have become more popular and accessible. If you don’t need to 3D print often, there are alternative ways to accomplish this that are cheaper than owning your printer. However, buying your own 3D printer is definitely worth it if you’re starting a business or would like to print things regularly.
Can I make money with my 3D printer?
Yes, 3D printers can be a good source of income in two ways. You can either list 3D printing as a commercial service, or sell the 3D prints themselves. If this piques your interest, you can begin by exploring how much is a three dimensional printer to get an idea of the up-front cost for your potential business.
What materials cannot be 3D printed?
A Formlabs 3D printer cannot print the following materials:
- Sintered technical ceramics and other high ceramic content composites
- Long fibre woven composites
- Nano-crystalline material
- Metal glasses
Is 3D printing hard to learn?
It’s not too hard to learn how to 3D print, but you do need to learn many different things. The most important thing you should learn is how to properly maintain your printer, which has a lot of moving parts. Your first few prints may fail as some maintenance and setting adjustments are required to perfect the process.
Is 3D printing expensive?
The cost depends on the size of the print. The larger the object being printed, the more expensive it will be. Larger 3D prints require large-format printers such as the Formlabs 3L. It’s worth noting that things like jewellery production can be cheaper when done using 3D printers.
How much does a small 3D printer cost?
3D printers are usually classified into one of three broad price brackets:
- Entry-Level 3D Printers – £160 – £320
- Hobbyist 3D Printers – £240 – £1200
- Enthusiast 3D Printers – £1200 – £2800
How are 3D printers used in today’s world?
3D printers are used to produce personalised items in various shapes and materials, such as customised metal or plastic dolls – or even edible art like 3D-printed chocolate.
Use-cases can also be industry-specific; for example, dental organisations use Formlabs’ new printer to make dental materials. 3D printing can also be used for jewellery making.
How much does it cost per hour to run a 3D printer?
The total filament used in 3D printing is 0.26 gm per minute, in an hour this would be around 15.6gm. In total, you can expect to pay £0.8 per hour of 3D printing, when considering only the filament consumed.
Formlabs 3D Printer Creates Dentures Faster
By exploring and experimenting with the idea of using Formlabs printers for faster and cheaper production of dentures, Formlabs have successfully created a unique 3D printer tailored specifically for dental use: the Form 3b.
This printer is slightly different from your usual Formlabs printing machine. The company has added a new wing named “Formlabs Dental” and worked with its own resin supplier to create better dental materials. The Form 3b is made to work optimally and efficiently with these new dental resins.
The Form 3b’s base package is more expensive than that of the Form 3 because it comes with additional software to better integrate the printer into the existing workflow of the dental team.
Uniquely, it also comes with one year of Formlabs “Dental Service Plan”, which gives access to training, support, and the option to request a new printer from Formlabs distributors if the current one is defective and has to be repaired.
If you are looking to improve your dentistry services with a 3D printer, contact us now!
Tough 15000 Resin For 3D Printing
Adding to Formlabs’ excellent portfolio of printing materials is the newest Tough 1500 Resin, made explicitly for stiff and malleable parts that can bend and retain their shape under cyclic loading.
The firmness, stretchability, and polypropylene-like properties of the Tough 1500 Resin are ideal for printing prototypes, jigs, fixtures, or connectors undergoing deflection.
The physical properties of the Tough 1500 Resin are a mix of both Formlabs’ Tough Resin and Durable Resin traits. It balances the stretchability and modulus with its high resilience and fast spring back, which makes the work easier for a 3 dimensional printer.
The “1500” label refers to its tensile modulus in MPa, and Formlabs intend to use this naming system in their future materials.
Formlabs Form 3L Printer
The Form 3L is the first Formlabs printing machine in the large-format 3D printer category. Its build volume is five times larger than the Form 3, though both use the Formlabs process of “low force stereolithography” (LFS).
The LFS showcases a pliable tank and “linear illumination” made possible in part by the re-engineered optics system. Here, a laser beam is controlled by the lenses, mirrors, and a galvanometer to ensure that it is directly perpendicular to the build plane.
This process enables the printing of minute details and a lightweight, portable structure. The Form 3L has two light processors, while the Formlabs 3 printer has only one.
Form 3L is made for businesses planning to produce large-scale objects or large batches of parts through 3D printing, such as creating 150 rings or 40 dental arches in a single batch.
Aside from the Form 3L’s two laser processing units, it can also use two cartridges of resin for large parts that require a significant amount of material.
Let us help you in making your business more efficient and cost-effective. If you want to find out more about the Formlabs Form 3L price, we are just a call away.
