Formlabs

Formlabs, SLA and SLS 3D printers for professional use

Formlabs presents itself as the world's largest provider of professional stereolithography (SLA) and selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printers. Its offering includes equipment, materials, software, and post-processing solutions aimed at professional and industrial environments.

SLA printers

The company sells several families of SLA printers. The Form 4 is described as a desktop printer that combines speed, precision, and versatility. The Form 4L is aimed at larger parts with professional precision. For the medical field, there are the Form 4B and Form 4BL, intended for biocompatible models and medical devices. In the dental field, the Form 4B and Form 4BL are presented as open systems for labs and aligner manufacturers.

SLS printers

In the SLS line, Formlabs offers the Fuse 1+ and the Fuse X1. The Fuse 1+ is described as an accessible solution for industrial-grade thermoplastic parts without supports. The Fuse X1 is aimed at high-volume production and full-size prototypes in days instead of weeks.

Materials and open mode

The materials catalog includes SLA resins and SLS powders organized by categories: general purpose, impact resistant, high stiffness, temperature resistant, elastomeric, specialty, medical, casting, and dental. The company also offers an Open Material Mode that allows the use of third-party materials. Among the announced new products are Flexible 80A V2 resin, which according to the company rivals 80A cast urethanes, and new Tough resins that compete with injection-molded plastics.

Software and post-processing

The software includes PreForm, for print preparation, and a Dashboard. For post-processing, equipment such as Form Wash, Form Cure, Form Wash L, Form Cure L, Fuse Sift, and Fuse Blast are offered, along with finishing tools. The company also has a developer platform and service plans.

Applications and industries

The applications highlighted by the company are rapid prototyping, rapid tooling, end-use part production, manufacturing aids, silicone part production, investment casting, and models and props. Among the industries served are engineering, manufacturing, automotive, drones, aerospace, dental, medical, education, entertainment, jewelry, and audio.

Documented use cases

The website includes cases of companies that use its equipment. Tesla Giga Nevada prints 20,000 parts per month with the Fuse X1 instead of turning to injection molding. Radio Flyer reduced prototyping timelines by 90% and manual labor ninefold with the Fuse X1. Eaton highlights the relationship between build volume, cost, and the Fuse ecosystem. Mosolf uses the Fuse 1+ 30W for components ranging from simple designs to complex consoles, covering about 80% of its needs. Ford uses the Form 4 to increase flexibility and performance at its rapid technology center. Brose uses the Form 4L to print assembly parts in hours instead of overnight.

International structure

Formlabs operates from several locations. Its headquarters is in Somerville, Massachusetts (United States), with a second location in the same city under the name Twin City. In Europe, it has offices in Berlin (Germany) and Budapest (Hungary), as well as a location in Milwaukee (United States) and another in Tokyo (Japan). The company also maintains a presence in Shenzhen.

Offices and locations

Local Headquarters: Formlabs Inc., 35 Medford St. Suite 201 Somerville, MA 02143, USA

Local Twin City: Formlabs Twin City, 22 McGrath Highway, Suite 201, Somerville, MA 02143, USA

Local Berlin: Formlabs GmbH, Mühlenstr. 15 10243 Berlin, Germany

Local Budapest: Formlabs Kft., Andrássy út 9, 1061 Budapest, Hungary

Local Milwaukee: Formlabs MKE, 220 E Buffalo Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA

Local Tokyo: Formlabs, 3 Chome-6-9 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa City, Tokyo 140-0001, Japan