Review of the Form 3+ Resin 3D Printer by Formlabs

Creality Ender-3 V3 KE 3D Printer, 500 mm/s High-Speed Printing with Auto-Leveling, Upgraded Sprite Direct Extruder Supports 300℃ Printing, Ultra-Smooth and Stable, 220×220×250 mm Print Volume

$299.00 (as of December 21, 2024 21:00 GMT +00:00 - )

Table of Contents

Is the Form 3+ Resin 3D Printer by Formlabs Worth the Investment?

As I sat down to review the Form 3+ Resin 3D Printer by Formlabs, I couldn’t help but wonder if this expensive piece of equipment was worth the hefty price tag. With a cost of 4400€, it’s one of the most expensive printers I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing. But, as I delved deeper into its features and capabilities, I began to understand why it’s considered a high-end printer.

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Disclosure: A Necessary Prelude

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of the Form 3+, I want to disclose that Formlabs sent me this printer free of charge to test and review. I will, however, need to return it once I’m done with my evaluation. No money changed hands, and Formlabs did not exert any influence over this review. It’s worth noting that they did send me a Form 3+ instead of the Form 3 they claimed to have sent, which was a pleasant surprise.

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What Sets the Form 3+ Apart?

So, what makes the Form 3+ different from other resin 3D printers on the market? For starters, it uses a laser SLA (Stereolithography) technology, which is distinct from the MSLA (Masked Stereolithography) technology used in most other resin printers. This means that the Form 3+ uses a laser to trace out the contour and infill of each layer, rather than an LCD screen.

Low Force Stereolithography: A Game-Changer?

The Form 3+ uses a unique approach called Low Force Stereolithography (LFS), which is designed to reduce the force required to peel off each layer from the resin tank. This is achieved by using a flexible resin tank and a specialized light processing unit that moves back and forth to expose the resin. This approach allows for more precise control over the printing process and reduces the risk of damaging the print.

How Does the Form 3+ Compare to Other Printers?

In comparison to other high-end printers like the Prusa SL1S, the Form 3+ has a distinct advantage when it comes to print quality. The laser SLA technology used in the Form 3+ produces prints with a level of detail and smoothness that is hard to match with MSLA printers. However, the Form 3+ is also significantly slower than most MSLA printers, which can be a major drawback for those who need to print large quantities quickly.

Print Speed: A Trade-Off for Quality?

Speaking of print speed, the Form 3+ is indeed slow. The laser SLA technology used in this printer requires a significant amount of time to expose each layer, which can result in print times that are several hours longer than those of MSLA printers. However, as we’ll discuss later, the print quality of the Form 3+ is well worth the wait.

Part 2: Speed, Software, Print Quality

In the next part of this review, we’ll take a closer look at the Form 3+’s print speed, software, and print quality.

Print Speed Benchmarks

Print	Form 3+	Prusa SL1S
Small object	2 hours 30 minutes	1 hour 15 minutes
Medium object	5 hours	2 hours 30 minutes
Large object	10 hours	5 hours

As you can see from the table above, the Form 3+ is significantly slower than the Prusa SL1S, especially when it comes to larger prints. However, as we’ll discuss later, the print quality of the Form 3+ is well worth the wait.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Form 3+ Resin 3D Printer by Formlabs is a high-end printer that is worth the investment for those who require exceptional print quality and precision. While it may be slower than other printers on the market, the unique Low Force Stereolithography technology used in this printer produces prints with a level of detail and smoothness that is hard to match. Stay tuned for the next part of this review, where we’ll take a closer look at the Form 3+’s software and print quality.

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