Formlabs Introduces New 3D Printing Post-Processing Equipment at RAPID + TCT, Prepares for First Users’ Conference

Today begins the RAPID + TCT event in Pittsburgh, which we’ve been looking forward to for a long time. The biggest 3D printing trade show in North America, RAPID is full of people and companies that we’ll be visiting and talking to, and we can’t wait to share it all with you. Although the first day has barely begun, the new product announcements are already rolling out, beginning with Formlabs.

Formlabs has already introduced several new products this year, beginning at CES in January and most recently releasing two new dental 3D printing materials. Today’s release doesn’t involve materials, though – it’s all about post-processing, everyone’s favorite part of 3D printing. No matter the method, 3D printing requires a lot more than just hitting the “start” button and then pulling the finished object off the build platform. Most prints require quite a bit of cleaning, polishing, and, of course, the dreaded support removal. SLA 3D printed parts often require even more work, because post-curing is brought into the equation.

Formlabs has developed Form Wash and Form Cure to make it all easier. Form Wash, as you may have guessed, washes your 3D prints. All you have to do is place your printed parts or the entire build platform into the Form Wash system and set the timer, and an impeller will agitate the parts in a bath of isopropyl alcohol until they’re completely clean. When complete, the machine will raise the build platform or basket of parts out of the alcohol, ready for post-curing…which brings us to Form Cure.

Certain resins, including several of Formlabs’ resins, require post-curing to allow them to reach optimal strength and material stability. Form Cure enhances the post-curing process by pairing a 405 nm light with a heating system that generates ideal temperature conditions for post-curing SLA 3D printed parts. Using Form Cure, says Formlabs, improves the performance of all of their types of resins. Standard resins become stronger, while engineering resins reach peak performance and castable resins burn out more cleanly. All biocompatible resins require post-curing, no matter what.

“Anyone who’s used a 3D printer knows the dirty secret of the process: a lot happens in between hitting ‘print’ and holding a final product,” said Dávid Lakatos, Chief Product Officer at Formlabs. “We know our users’ time is better spent designing and creating, so we developed Form Wash and Form Cure to bridge that missing gap, making it easier than ever to go from finished print to ready-to-use part.”

For an added convenience factor, Form Wash also includes a storage area to keep your finishing tools and a hydrometer to let you know when it’s time to change your isopropyl alcohol bath. Form Wash is priced at $499, Form Cure at $699. If you’re at RAPID and would like to see a demonstration of Form Wash and Form Cure, stop by Formlabs’ booth, #1637.

Speaking of conferences, Formlabs will be holding a conference of their own next month. FUSE 2017 will be the company’s first user conference, and it’s taking place on June 6 at MIT Media Lab. In addition to meeting the Formlabs team and checking out their latest products, attendees will also be able to visit with exhibitors including Pinshape, Formech, RightHand Robotics, and Tulip, just to name a few. Speakers will include representatives from GE, Onshape, and New Balance. The conference will be taking place the day after The Digital Factory, also at the MIT Media Lab.

“The manufacturing industry is advancing quickly and we are excited to bring together industry leaders to talk about it,” said Lakatos. “The Digital Factory will focus on conversations around how we are transforming the way we create and design products.”

You can learn more about what there is to look forward to at FUSE 2017 here, and register here if you’d like to attend. Tickets range from $245 to $345, but 3DPrint.com readers can take advantage of a special 10% discount by entering the code FUSE3dprint at checkout.

What do you think of these new products? Will you be attending FUSE 2017? Share your thoughts in the Formlabs forum at 3DPB.com.