Formlabs Debuts Form 4L Large-Format SLA Printer

Formlabs unveils its fast, large-format Form 4L and Form 4BL 3D printers as well as the opening of its SLS and SLA platforms. Additionally, Formlabs introduced printer accessories, two new SLS materials, five new PreForm features, and new post-processing solutions.

Form 4L

Formlabs brings the high speeds of Form 4 to a larger format with Form 4L and the biocompatible version, Form 4BL for prototyping to production. 

Built on Formlabs' next-generation Low Force Display (LFD) print engine, Form 4 claims a build volume nearly 5x the size of Form 4.

Form 4L features:

• Fast print speeds: Large-scale prints in under 6 hours, at up to 80 mm/hour printing speeds
• Large parts: Larger build volume than Form 4
• High volume: Form 4L’s scale and speed enable users to print thousands of small parts per day at a low cost. 
• Low waste: New cartridge design reduces plastic waste by 63% and delivers faster resin dispensing. 
• Materials: Compatible with 23+ materials offering durable, rigid, biocompatible, flame retardant, and more application-specific properties. 
• New accessories: Resin Mixer, Resin Tank, Build Platform, Resin Pumping System, and Finish Kit and Form Wash L for post-processing round out the ecosystem.

“We believe in driving innovation forward by providing the freedom and flexibility users need to bring their ideas to life. Form 4L will enable users to solve bigger problems and bring big ideas to life at lightning-fast speeds, regardless of scale or complexity,” says Formlabs CPO Dávid Lakatos. 

Form 4L costs $9,999.

Formlabs Platform Access

Formlabs is officially opening up its platform to give users more control and flexibility. To complement the company’s library of materials, new software, integration options, and material pricing puts users in control. With Developer Platform, users can tap into any material. 

With Developer Platform, Formlabs introduces software and material pricing, including:

• Open Material Mode—Use any material with a license, no restrictions
• Print Settings Editor—Adjust print settings for maximum performance, free with every machine
• API & Integrations—oConnect any software that you use to get a print started
• Lowered material pricing—$79 general purpose materials enables broader range of applications
• Bulk pricing for production—Bulk material pricing at $35 per liter for SLA resin and $45 per kilogram for SLS powders, and Resin Pumping System

“Formlabs started with a clear mission to make professional 3D printing more accessible, and opening our platform is the beginning of a new chapter for Formlabs, where we enable users to help make 3D printing better for everybody,” says Formlabs co-founder and CEO Max Lobovsky. “Developer Platform represents a transformation for our entire platform that will unlock the benefits of user control and unique properties of third-party SLS and SLA materials.”

New SLS Powders

Formlabs also introduced advanced SLS materials, Nylon 12 White Powder and Nylon 12 Tough Powder, to expand end-use part applications. 

• Nylon 12 White Powder—Delivers tbiocompatible material properties of Nylon 12 Powder in a formulation that produces high contrast and customizable white parts
• Nylon 12 Tough Powder—Offers ductility and dimensional accuracy

With the introduction of Form 4 in April 2024, Formlabs’ new printincreased 3D printing speeds, company reports. 

Requested PreForm Features

As Formlabs opens its platform, the company is also launching PreForm software with requested features for job model and preparation, including:

• Shareable print settings: Unlocks collaboration so users can share and apply fine-tuned print settings as FPS files.
• Job and model preparation features

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