Formlabs Form 3+ Reviews: See Why 0 Shoppers Rated It 0 Stars!

Formlabs Form 3+: A Professional-Grade SLA 3D Printer Worth Considering

For professionals who demand precision and reliability, the Formlabs Form 3+ delivers a notable blend of advanced stereolithography technology and user-focused features. Released in 2021, this resin printer is tailored for expert users working in sectors like dental, jewelry, engineering, and medical fields; areas where minute accuracy and dependable outcomes are vital. On paper, the Form 3+ is engineered to enhance productivity with its smart resin handling, comprehensive professional software ecosystem, and an impressive build volume, making it a standout in the realm of professional SLA printers. The specs indicate it is not just a machine for hobbyists but a serious tool for professional prototyping and production.

Detailed Specs & Features

Delving deeper, the Form 3+ is an SLA 3D printer designed specifically for professional use. Its build volume of 85.5 cubic inches (precisely 5.7 inches in width, depth, and 7.3 inches in height) provides ample space for high-detail prints without sacrificing precision. The printer supports a wide range of resin types, including standard, ABS-like, plant-based, dental, and jewelry resins, showcasing its versatility across various industries.

One of the Form 3+'s key strengths lies in its power supply voltage, ranging from 100 to 240 volts, with a maximum power consumption of 220 watts, ensuring it efficiently operates in multiple global regions without issues. The internal power supply supports energy-saving mode and boasts an idle power consumption of only 65 watts, which is a thoughtful feature for prolonged use in office or studio environments.

From a precision standpoint, the Form 3+ achieves a print accuracy of 25 microns, which is excellent for SLA technology and reflects highly detailed and smooth finishes on printed objects. Its layer resolution minimum of 25 microns matches the accuracy, allowing fine layers for capturing detailed features. Interestingly, the auto bed leveling combined with a print recovery system enhances reliability by reducing print failures.

Connectivity options are broad and modern, with Wi-Fi, LAN, and USB supported, enabling easy file transfer and remote monitoring capabilities. This is complemented by the mobile app and cloud fleet management, which facilitate seamless integration into professional workflows. The 5.5-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels allows intuitive printer management, and the built-in camera helps in visual monitoring.

User Experience & Performance (Based on Specs)

Design & Build

The Form 3+ weighs 38.5 pounds and measures approximately 15.9 inches wide, 14.8 inches deep, and 20.9 inches tall, making it a reasonably compact yet robust printer for laboratory or workshop desks. It comes fully prebuilt with no assembly required, which is a big plus for busy professionals eager to start printing immediately. Its enclosure is fully closed, which helps with operator safety and resin contamination control, adding another layer of reliability and compliance with health standards. The metal build plate with a smooth surface is removable and designed for ease of use and repeatability between prints.

Performance

Based on its engineering data, the printer promises an official max print speed of 100 mm/h, which is quite effective for an SLA machine at this quality level. Its 24-hour continuous print capacity and a 90% print success rate speak to its reliability in professional environments. The printer's noise levels remain reasonable, at 45 dB during operation, reducing distractions in workspaces. Features like spaghetti/fault detection and continuous print recovery further contribute to consistent uptime.

Camera, Display, and Software

Integrated with a built-in camera and 5.5-inch high-resolution touchscreen, the Form 3+ allows for real-time status checks and detailed control directly on the device. Coupled with proprietary PreForm software and cloud-based support, it forms a comprehensive software ecosystem suitable for managing multiple devices remotely and optimizing print workflows. Importantly, the printer supports STL, OBJ, 3MF, and FORM file formats to accommodate various design software.

Extra Features

Safety certifications, including UL, CE, FCC, RoHS, IEC, EN, and AS/NZS, underline the printer's compliance with international standards. The Form 3+ also includes a resin cartridge system with auto resin mixing and heating, improving both resin longevity and print consistency. The resin tank boasts an impressive lifetime of 1000 prints. Add to this a suite of maintenance alerts, predictive diagnostics, and a one-year warranty, and you have a printer that's designed to keep downtime at a minimum.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Exceptional print accuracy of 25 microns, suitable for detailed professional applications
• Robust connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, LAN, USB, and remote monitoring support
• Extensive resin compatibility with biocompatible and specialty resin support
• Comprehensive safety certifications and features like overheat protection and resin spill protection

Cons

• A relatively high price point may deter some smaller studios or individual users.
• Limited upgrade options and mod kits, which may restrict customizing or future-proofing

Price & Value for Money

The Formlabs Form 3+ retails for approximately $5247 at MatterHackers, situating it firmly in the professional 3D printer price bracket. Given its 1-year warranty, wide resin compatibility, and intelligent features like automatic bed leveling and print recovery, the investment feels justified for professionals requiring consistent quality and minimal hassle. However, newcomers or smaller budget teams may find the purchase difficult to reconcile against entry-level alternatives with fewer capabilities but much lower up-front costs. For those who prioritize reliability and precision, this printer offers significant value aligned with its specs.

Quick Take

In short, the Form 3+ strikes a fine balance between precision, ease of use, and professional-grade capabilities. It's engineered for high-detail work and extended uptime, making it an excellent choice for demanding industries. If we look at the numbers alone, its build volume, connectivity, and safety features all emphasize a machine built for serious users.

Closing Recommendation

This printer may be ideal for professional environments where detailed accuracy and process reliability are paramount. It appears to perform best for users in dental, jewelry, and medical prototyping fields who need broad resin support and dependable workflow integration. While the price point narrows its audience, the Form 3+ helps users achieve consistent, high-quality prints with minimal interruptions.

Verdict

Rating: Based on the specifications and overall feature set, we believe Formlabs Form 3+ deserves 4.5 out of 5.

• Winner Feature => Exceptional print accuracy paired with advanced resin handling functionality.
• Needs Improvement => Limited upgrade options and a premium price could be potential barriers for some users.