Form 3BL - LFS 3D printer

Form 3BL is a resin 3D printer using enhanced SLA technology. Formlabs has reinvented its SLA technology to achieve flawless printing on all products. Form 3BL is optimised for biocompatible materials, as is Form 3B.

The use of this type of 3D printer enhances and speeds up the workflow in the dental sector, thanks to the manufacture of all types of end pieces with exceptional finishes.

The Form 3BL differs from the Form 3B in its printing volume. The Form 3BL 3D printer has a print volume of 335 x 200 x 300 mm, compared to the 145 x 145 x 185 mm of the Form 3B.

Image 1: 3D resin Form 3BL printer. Source: Formlabs.

In this way, it allows the production of a greater quantity of pieces, significantly reducing the work time and cost per piece, and increasing the benefits and service provided to the customer.

The Form 3BL is a large format 3D printer designed for the manufacture of professional quality parts, printed using improved stereolithography technology: LFS.

The new LFS (Low Force Stereolithography) printing technology uses linear illumination and a flexible tank to convert liquid resin into solid parts. The lighting part is the LPU (Light Processing Unit), a single module containing all the parts (lenses, mirrors and laser) needed to solidify the resin during the manufacture of a part with a laser power of 250 mW and an XY plane accuracy of 25 μm.

Image 2: LPU module. Source: Formlabs.

This new system offers clear and clean characteristics thanks to the high power laser that passes through a filter and guarantees a concentrated laser spot. The parabolic mirror ensures that the projection of the laser on the manufacturing plane is always perpendicular, which guarantees maximum printing quality and the exact reproduction of the design to be manufactured. But the advantages of the LPU do not end there, a new high frequency galvanometer offers precise control over the laser and high speed, reducing printing times. The operation of this module can be clearly seen in the following video:

Video 1: LFS module. Source: Formlabs.

In addition, the Form 3BL has been carefully designed to maintain optimal printing conditions with minimal user intervention.

Through cloud monitoring, printers can be remotely monitored and inspected, and resin and tank usage can be tracked over time. It is also possible to enable alerts via SMS and email to receive notifications when prints are completed or when the Form 3BL requires any action by the user.

Continuing with further technological advances, the Form 3BL has a large number of built-in sensors that constantly monitor prints. These sensors also help keep all fabrications stable and inform the user of the printer's status through alerts. Within the LPU module are optical sensors that constantly correct the amplitude, power and even detect the presence of dust, which is fatal to the operation of the laser. A new resin level sensor quickly and reliably detects all materials, making resin replacement quicker. Like its predecessors, the Form 3BL has an automated heating system that maintains the temperature of the resin evenly to promote curing. Finally, a new sensor, located in the area of the manufacturing platform, ensures that printing starts without problems.

For all Formlabs 3D printer models it is very easy to change the resin tank and the manufacturing platform. In addition, with the Form 3BL, FormLabs has designed a large number of user-replaceable elements, such as the LPU module, rollers and optical window, which substantially reduce repair time.

Another advantage for users is that this 3D printer allows two resin cartridges to be connected, which avoids interruptions during high-volume production.

All these facilities together drastically reduce waiting and repair times.

With the Form 3BL resin 3D printer, models can be created easily and quickly. Simply enter the CAD file in STL or OBJ format into the PreForm laminating software. This software automatically prepares the media and allows the prints to be sent to the Form 3BL via WiFi with great ease. Once the printing is finished, the supports are removed and the pieces are transferred to the washing centre (Form Wash), and then to the curing centre (Form Cure). After these simple steps, the pieces are ready for use.

Image 3: Design of pieces for printing in Form 3BL. Source: Formlabs.

In addition, PreForm has a print management section, where the user can plan and manage the print queue of all its Form 3BL.

Image 4: Print management with PreForm. Source: Formlabs.

As with Form 3B, Formlabs has optimised Form 3BL for all biocompatible resins, so this 3D printer is suitable for use with the medical and dental resins that can be found in the medical and dental resin category.

Medical and dental resins are materials with specific applications in these sectors. Some of them have very specific properties, such as biocompatibility.

The dental sector requires the use of high-precision machines so that the resulting parts have a high surface finish. In this sector, the use of 3D printing as a manufacturing technology is becoming increasingly widespread. With Formlabs dental resins and the Form 3BL 3D printer, it is possible to produce models of crowns and bridges, surgical guides, splints, retainers and even permanent implants with incredible accuracy and very low manufacturing costs per piece. Another great advantage of using dental resins in combination with Form 3BL is the possibility of manufacturing customized models adapted to each patient in record time.

Image 5: Dental parts on a Form 3BL manufacturing platform. Source: Formlabs.

In the medical sector, Formlabs has developed a series of resins for different applications in the health field. With these resins and the Form 3BL 3D printer, strong and functional pieces can be manufactured that are also biocompatible, being able to be in contact with the skin and/or mucous membranes.

Compared to the Form 3B 3D printer, also suitable for the use of biocompatible resins, the Form 3BL offers a much higher printing volume, allowing the manufacture of more pieces in each print and making it possible to print large pieces, something very useful in the medical sector.

Finally, we can say that the Form 3BL is a large format resin 3D printer perfect for the medical and dental sector that allows all the necessary pieces to be obtained with quality in a fast, simple and economic way, optimising and speeding up the workflow.

Dental Service Pack

This assistance package is designed to meet the needs of companies that require quick solutions to possible incidents.

This service includes priority technical support (by email and telephone), as well as a temporary replacement service for the 3D printer during the repair period.

The Pro Service Pack can be purchased together with the Form 3BL printer for a period of 1 year, 2 years or 3 years.