FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
3D printing adds layer upon layer of material to gradually build an object. For a simple visualization, imagine placing successive circular sheets of paper on top of one another until the stack becomes a three dimensional cylinder. If each layer is changed different from the previous layer you can form the shape of a irregular object. If the layer can be made very small and what is used to create that layer is very small, then the better the detail that can be achieved.
See this article Comparing the Form 2 to the Form 3
The Form 3 is a high-resolution desktop machine that matches the print quality of large, industrial printers at a far lower cost. The Form 3 uses stereolithography (SLA) technology to achieve a professional print quality that plastic extrusion printers just can’t match. Stereolithography is the gold standard for accuracy and resolution in 3D printing. Our custom PreForm software and single button interface make the entire print experience simple, intuitive, and enjoyable.
Install on your PC (or Mac) Formlabs’ custom built PrefForm software that makes setting up and creating your print simple and intuitive. After importing an .STL or.OBJ file, you can scale, rotate, duplicate and align the model, then use our one click button to print. PreForm is available free for download, periodic software updates are also free and include new features as well as performance improvements.
Any computer hardware you can use for 3D CAD should be more than sufficient. PreForm is supported on computers operating Windows 7 or higher and Mac OSX 10.7 or higher.
SLA technology requires minimal post processing. With each printer, Formlabs includes the basic equipment for finishing your prints in the Finish Kit. Learn more about how to finish prints with our detailed post processing steps.
Click on our Resources link at the top of the page where we have more Formlabs information links.
Click on our Resources link at the top of the page where we have more information links.
Our PreForm print preparation software will tell you how much resin the model you are printing will use before your start each print, but make sure you use the figure that includes support structures.
Depending on your print size, 1 litre of resin can print various quantities of models. For example, our standard rook measures 53 mm tall and uses about 11 cubic centimetres (or 11 mL) of resin. One litre of resin could produce about 90 rooks!
Our bottled resin has a shelf life of at least one year. You can leave unused resin in the resin tank for as long as two months, which means you won’t have to waste any material.
You can reuse resin that is in your tank after a print, but it should not be returned to the bottle to avoid potential contamination unless you filter it. Outside of the printer or cartridge, resin can be stored in the orange resin tank with the lid on.
Our Castable Resin range was developed specifically for investment casting. The material burns out cleanly with very low shrinkage. Please follow our recommended burnout schedule when working with this material for optimal results. Note our wax resins require no UV curing.
Click on our Resources link at the top of the page where we have more Formlabs information links.
Depending on the type of material and the intended use, some prints benefit from or require an additional UV cure cycle. Learn more about post-print UV curing from Formlabs in-depth research, and see the Formlabs Form Cure
Freight is a flat rate of $15 for small items and up to $150 for larger items ex GST, there is no free freight for a larger amount of items purchased.
The Formlabs printers are the lowest priced professional stereolithography printers on the market. As a reseller we can’t offer discounts, but occasionally there are Formlabs’ upgrade and refer a friend promotions.