Formlabs is launching its lowest-cost 3D printer to date.
The company, whose desktop stereolithography (SLA) and selective laser sintering (SLS) systems have already produced more than 500 million parts worldwide, has today unveiled the Form Studio 1.
Priced at 699 USD (starting from), it is being positioned as the world’s 'most affordable resin 3D printer' offering professional quality, average print speeds of under two hours, and reliability. And it comes in some really nice colourways.
Targeted towards professional users and also as an easy entry point for new users, the Form Studio 1 is equipped with a new print engine based on Formlabs' proprietary Low Force Display (LFD) technology. It uses a custom lens array and 28 LEDs that deliver a uniform, highly collimated 6 mW/cm² light field that cures resin quickly and evenly. Formlabs says users will be able to print highly detailed parts with a smooth, clean surface finish thanks to its 35 µm pixel and finely tuned anti-aliasing capture subpixel detail capabilities, along with lower peel forces, flexible build platform with Quick Release Technology, and light-touch supports.
It is also the first resin-based 3D printer to earn UL GREENGUARD Gold Certification when used with Formlabs Alpha Resins and Formlabs VOC Extractor add-on, which means it can be safely used in small offices, workshops and homes.
“We started Formlabs to build the Form 1 and make professional resin printing accessible to more people,” said Maxim Lobovsky, co-founder and CEO of Formlabs. “Form Studio 1 takes that ambition to the next level. Affordability matters, but so does getting great parts without hours of tuning. We want anyone -from an engineer to someone exploring a new hobby - to spend more time making things and less time figuring out their printer.”
Formlabs is also introducing six new low-odour Alpha Resins, skin-safe resins in Grey, White, Black, Clear, Model and Fast - its fastest resin to date. With prices starting at 29 USD per litre, these resins are said to provide rich colours and transparency, crisp details and functional mechanical properties. They're all certified for long-term (>30 day) skin contact in accordance with ISO 10993 after recommended post-processing. Users can also add on the optional Resin Tank Pro, which Formlabs says includes a highly durable and chemically resistant tank film that enables printing a wide range of third-party materials.
Formlabs is launching the system alongside a full set of supporting products including Form Studio Wash+Cure and PreForm Mobile App to enable all-in-one post-processing (washing and curing) in a compact form factor, and Form Mobile App which allows remote monitoring and control of print jobs on Form Studio 1, Form 4 and Form 4L printers.
Form Studio 1 is available to order worldwide from today and shipping is set to start on November 16th. The standard machine is available in 'graphite' but early adopters can choose from three limited edition colours including aqua, teal, and violet through November 30th or while supplies last.
The machine is being shown publicly for the first time at TCT Shenzhen this week.
