Formlabs announced two models of its new 3D printer, the Form 3+ and Form3B+. The Form 3B+ is identical to the Form 3+, except that it is optimized and certified for biocompatible 3D printing operations. Formlabs said:
“These printers are the result of three years of work improving their trademarked Low Force Stereolithography technology that was first introduced in 2019. These new iterations entail enhanced hardware components and software updates that significantly improve print speed, print quality, support removal, and provide an overall better user experience.”
Formlabs Build Platform 2
At first, the revolutionary new build platform appears to be a standard build plate that would securely attach to the Z-axis on the Form 3+.
But then if you turn it over it can do this:
Those curious handles on the sides of the Build Platform 2 are actually used to twist the spring steel build plate!
Why do this? It’s a way to immediately remove prints from the build plate without any issues. Normally prints are chipped off a build plate with anger, often resulting in damage to the print, and sometimes the 3D printer operator, too. Those days will be gone with the Build Platform 2: you merely pull the handles and prints should easily pop off.
This brings an ease-of-use feature long seen in FFF 3D printers to the SLA world.
Form 3+ Specifications
As Formlabs stated above, they have been working on their LFS technology for quite a while, and the benefits are seen in this model, which apparently can 3D print up to 40% faster than previous models.
They’ve also achieved tighter alignment between the laser unit and the build platform, which also reduces print time by “5 to 15 minutes” in the first few layers of each print job.
Surface and overall print quality is also improved by new stabilization components in the laser system, as well as new air flow mechanisms and thermal measurement to maintain consistent heat throughput each job.
The laser power is increased in these machines, but it doesn’t seem to be due to a more powerful laser. Instead they have squeezed out more power with some engineering trickery. They explain:
“An expanded laser power operating range, a reworked motion profile for the LPU, faster galvanometer moves, and other key print process improvements have unlocked 20-40% faster print speeds on many resins.”
Formlabs is pricing the new models at the same price as the older models, suggesting that they’re actually swapping in new flagship models to take over from the older units on their product shelf.
Further reporting on issues not included in this article can be found here on Fabbaloo.