Form 3 SLA 3D Printer
The Form 3 offers high quality surface finish and feature resolution unmatched by standard filament based 3D printing machines. Formlabs offers several acrylic based methacrylate photopolymer resins in a variety of colors and a selection of engineering materials with properties similar to materials like ABS, polypropylene, and rubber. If you have a need for specific Formlabs material that we don't have in stock let us know and we will se what we can do.
Understanding the Technology
The Form 3 is best suited for objects that require high feature detail and smooth surfaces such as sculptures and product mockups. It is not ideal for parts that require extremely tight tolerances, moving mechanisms, or parts with walls thinner than 0.5 mm or greater than 5mm thick.
The Form 3 does not have a dedicated material to create support structures. Instead it generates removable supports from the same material as the model. After 3D printing the supports are simply peeled away from the part. This will leave some scarring at the contact points so if perfection is your goal you will need to spend some time sanding the part for a flawless surface.
Form 3 Specifications
The Form 3 is a high resolution Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer. SLA 3D printers build up 3d models by selectively curing a photosensitive resins using laser light. Typical layer resolution is between 25 and 100 micron with feature detail down to 0.3 mm.
- Technique - SLA (Stereolithography Apparatus)
- Build Volume - 145 mm x 145 mm x 175 mm (5.7 in x 5.7 in x 6.9 in) / 224 ci
- Layer Thickness - 25, 50, 100 microns (0.001, 0.002, 0.004 in)
- Laser Spot Size (FWHM) - 85 microns (0.0033 in)
- Print Speed - 1-3 cm/hour along the Z axis when printing at 100 microns
Availablity and Pricing
The Fabrication Studio's 3D printing service is available to U of M faculty, students, and staff in support of the U of M communities academic and research needs. Our Form 3 rate is $1.24 per hour; $5.00 minimum. We accept payment in the form of a shortcode transaction only; no cash, no credit card.
Get more from the Form 3 SLA
The Form 3 is a capable 3D printer. To learn how to get the most out of the machine see the various Guides within the navigation menu bar. Additional learning materials are available at the Ground Connection Knowledge Base: https://sites.google.com/umich.edu/groundconnections.
How to submit a model for a quote
Step 1 - Inspect Your Model
Make sure your 3d computer model can be printed, is of the proper scale, and doesn’t have any errors such as intersecting triangles.
Step 2 - Upload a File
Use the provided link in the navigation bar to submit your model. Make sure the file size is less than 100MB. If submitting multiple files combine them into a single ZIP file for submitting.
Step 3 - Confirm Price/Job
Within 1-2 business days you will receive a quote. 3D printing will not start until you approve the job. Once approved, we will queue your job and send an invoice with payment details and the date of estimated completion.
Step 4 - Pickup Your Part(s)
Payment is due prior to part pickup. We accept payment in the form of a shortcode transaction only; no cash, no credit card. You will receive email notification when your print job is ready to pick up. Please email or bring your approved invoice with you when you come for the parts.
Once approved, 3D print jobs typically take less than five business days to complete. However, no guarantee is given as other factors, such as the size and number of jobs in the queue, can have a significant impact on turn around. Submission of quality error free 3d computer files will speed up the process. We may suggest data modifications, and can help guide you in inspection and repair of 3d computer models, the Fabrication Studio does not repair or work on submitted data. If concerned about timing we suggest you indicate your timeline in the file upload or contact a consultant at the Fabrication Studio [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Form 3 best for?
The Form 3 is great for sculptures and other objects that require high feature detail. We offer the full range of standard materials for color and translucency choices. We also offer the flexible material.
Where does the Form 3 struggle?
The Form 3 is not ideal for moving mechanisms or parts that require high accuracy. Additionally, its relatively small build volume limits the size and number of parts that can fit in a build.
Is part strength uniform?
The strength of a part made in the Form 3 is uniform in all directions.
Can I bring my own material?
No, the Fabrication Studio supplies the materials for use in the Form 3D printer.
Can it print transparent parts?
The Form 3 Clear resin produces translucent parts. Additional clarity can be achieved by sanding and coating the surface with clear coat paint to smooth the surface.
Can I print parts without support?
The support is always present at the base of the material. It helps attach the part to the base and makes it possible to remove the part after it is printed.