Formlabs has big news on the 3D printing reinvention front. In an industry that barely has its feet off the ground when you consider the timeline–and the future– numerous manufacturers are making improvements and offering new releases and editions at lightning speed, accommodating users with new features and functions and often putting new options at their fingertips before they were even quite aware how much they were going to need–and appreciate–them. While the popular Form 1 and Form 1+ 3D printers are still on the ground and running, Formlabs has wasted no time, busy in R&D with the Form 2, which is just being released today.
The Form 2 is an SLA 3D printer that’s meant to offer all the benefits of a second generation machine, to include:
- Bigger prints
- ‘Smarter’ components
- Connected capabilities
- Intuitive printing experience
“Through building the Form 1 and Form 1+ we’ve learned that professional engineers, designers and creators need access to powerful, easy to use systems. We believe that this is the ‘next wave’ of the 3D printing industry: high resolution output with a simple user experience packaged in a desktop footprint,” said Max Lobovsky, co-founder of Formlabs. “In many ways, 3D printing technology is following a similar path to the desktop computer. It started with mainframes, was adopted by the hobbyist and then evolved into the powerful desktop machines everyone uses today. The Form 2 represents the next wave of 3D printing technology.”
Users can take advantage of a build volume that’s nearly twice as large as that of the Form 1+, with 40% larger capabilities, along with a powerful laser that is indeed 50% more powerful, offering the opportunity for much better resolution.
Large parts requiring intricate detailing can be printed with a new process included in the Form 2 that offers a sliding peel mechanism, wiper, and heated resin tank, along with an automated system that refills the tank with new resin cartridges during printing.
One click-printing is available in an update to the Formlabs’ PreForm Software, allowing for preparation and simplification of the printing process overall. The new 3D printer also offers wireless printing with notifications that are also available on the mobile platform, traditional desktop, or tablet. The full touchscreen display allows the user to manage the queue, as well as checking on status. Below is a video from Formlabs introducing the Form 2:
https://youtu.be/Ak4kgiSvgN8
Available for purchase now, this 3D printer retails at $3,499 and is accompanied by Formlabs’ PreForm software, a liter of resin for printing, and a finishing kit for post-processing of parts.
This is a company we’ve followed regarding countless stories from releases of innovative new 3D printing materials to dynamic events to expanding with new headquarters worldwide.
Founded in 2012 by a team of engineers and designers from the MIT, Formlabs launched their first 3D printer with a record-breaking $2.8 million Kickstarter campaign. An industry leader and a respected manufacturer of 3D printers and more, they continue to raise the bar in terms of standards for professionals in industries such as engineering, medical, film-making, both big and small business, and art and design.
As part of the Form 2 launch, Formlabs will be livestreaming a public unveiling today, September 22nd, at 10 am ET, from the Museum of Science in Boston; the livestream and subsequent archived webcast will be available for viewing and replay on Formlabs’ website.
Let us know if you’ve had the opportunity to use this new machine in the Form 2 3D Printer forum thread on 3DPB.com. Below is a look inside the Form 2:
https://youtu.be/8tn5zA5bNSE
