Form 4L and Form 4BL These new stereolithography [SLA] Formlabs printers represent larger-format versions of the company’s Form 4 SLA printer introduced earlier this year, with the Form 4BL printer built to accommodate biocompatible materials. Both new printers are reliable and fast, producing quality parts to meet any need, from prototyping to production.
What's new? The availability of the Form 4L and the Form 4BL, which Formlabs announced on Oct. 15.
Benefits The ability to print large parts, speed, waste reduction and the availability of many printable materials. The new printers provide build volumes that are significantly larger than those of the Form 4 printer. Form 4L's build volume measurements are 13.9 by 7.7 by 14 inches, compared with Form 4's build volume of 7.9 by 4.9 by 8.3 inches. The printers can produce parts in under six hours, with print speeds of up to about 3 inches per hour. Formlabs said the Form 4L is the “fastest large-format SLA 3D printer in the world.” Also, the two printers’ cartridge design reduces plastic waste by 63 percent and delivers faster resin dispensing. The printers are compatible with dozens of materials, including durable, rigid, biocompatible and flame-retardant materials.
Formlabs Inc., Somerville, Mass., 617-702-8476, www.formlabs.com
Bruce Geiselman | Senior Staff Reporter
Senior Staff Reporter Bruce Geiselman covers extrusion, blow molding, additive manufacturing, automation and end markets including automotive and packaging. He also writes features, including In Other Words and Problem Solved, for Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing, Plastics Recycling and The Journal of Blow Molding. He has extensive experience in daily and magazine journalism.