Formlabs’ Automation Ecosystem to Enable Automated 3D Printer Fleets

Formlabs introduces the Automation Ecosystem to enable new levels of 3D printing productivity with Form Auto for back-to-back throughput, Fleet Control for advanced fleet management and the High Volume Resin System for high-capacity printing. The Automation Ecosystem reduces the amount of operator labor and minimizes idle printer time with 24/7 printing so users can efficiently produce end-use parts, prototypes, and customizable products at a lower cost per part, according to the company. 

The Automation Ecosystem is debuting at CES 2023, where attendees can check out the system’s ability to produce back-to-back prints non-stop without an operator, according to Formlabs.

The Automation Ecosystem will enable expansion from one Form 3+ or Form 3B+ 3D printer to a scalable fleet of 3D printers easily, Formlabs notes.

With the ability to manage multi-user, multi-material printer fleets, the Automation Ecosystem enables continuous production so users can send multiple prints to run overnight and into the weekend. Formlabs Automation Ecosystem includes:

• Form Auto: Form Auto enables automated 24/7 printing with automatic part removal so users can level up production and reduce labor. When parts are complete, Form Auto seamlessly removes finished parts from the Build Platform 2 using the patented Quick Release Technology, and starts the next print in the queue as soon as possible. The hardware extension works with Form 3 or Form 3+ 3D printers. 
• Fleet Control: Fleet Control simplifies advanced 3D printer fleet management, optimizing workflows to maximize fleet productivity. It’s a suite of new features within Formlabs’ Dashboard and PreForm software that includes centralized queue management and automatic printer assignment to optimize production, performance and printer efficiency with Form 3+, Form 3B+, Form 3L, and Form 3BL printer fleets.
• High Volume Resin System: The High Volume Resin System increases resin capacity to five liters, five times the standard cartridge size, enabling users to create more parts with fewer interruptions for cartridge replacements. This system streamlines workflows, with consistent resin dispensing with a Resin Pump while reducing downtime and user intervention to change cartridges, as well as packaging waste. This is compatible with the Form 3+, Form 3B+. Form 3L and Form 3BL. 

“The Formlabs Automation Ecosystem is a seamless solution for ramping up production with 3D printer fleets, staying true to the ease of use of all Formlabs products, so anyone can make anything. These solutions will enable companies such as dental labs, service bureaus, and internal job shops to ramp up production without increasing labor requirements, or expensive capital investment, making 3D printing for production more cost-effective,” says Formlabs Chief Product Officer Dávid Lakatos. “Formlabs users have recently achieved a major milestone, with more than 100 million parts printed on our 3D printers, and by adding this ecosystem, Formlabs is increasing the capacity so users can deliver further 3D printing innovation.”

Visit Formlabs at CES 2023 (booth #54217) to see the Form Auto, Fleet Control and High Volume Resin System. 

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.

More Formlabs Coverage