Formlabs Form 3+

• SLA (stereolithography) printer

• Build volume: 14.5 x 14.5 x 18.5 cm

• Layer thickness: 25 - 300 µm

• XY resolution: 25 µm

• Makes prints with very smooth finish. Good for high precision/resolution. Finished parts can be somewhat brittle, depending on the resin. 

• A wide variety of resins are available: formlabs.com/materials/ 

Form 3+  Workflow

1. Create/get STL file

2. Process with PreForm

3. Bring laptop with Preform installed to printer & upload to printer

4. Start print

5. Log in the logbook

6. When print is finished, remove from the build plate and transfer to the Form Wash

   • Remove the build plate, and invert on the work bench onto a paper towel

   • Using the metal spatula, pry the raft away from the metal surface of the build plate

   • Transfer to the Form wash

7. Wash the object in the form wash with isopropanol (IPA). Wash times depend on the resin. Default time is 10 min.  See: Formlabs wash times 

8. Once cured, let IPA drain, then transfer to Form Cure.

   • Cure times depend on the resin. Default time is 30 min @ 60C.  See: Formlabs cure times 

9. Clean up work area

   • Clean the build plate with IPA (using Kimwipes and the wash bottle). 

   • Clean the table with xxx and/or IPA

   • Clean the printer casing with 

See also  Form 3+ Info

Form 3+ Tips & Troubleshooting

Print fail. Prints can fail for a variety of reasons. Possibiltiies include:

• The resin tank has cured resin and other debris. Solution: use the tank tool to clean the tank 

• The resin tank is cloudy. Solution: In Preform, move the print to another part of the build plate. If the problem persists, a new resin tank may be required. 

Computer can't connect to printer. Solution: Restart Preform. 

Tank lifetime. For some resins, the tank has a lifetime.  The printer will complain if the tank has been used for too long. See tank lifetimes.