The new Form Auto, Fleet Control software extension and High Volume Resin System enable users to increase 3D printing output and reduce cost per part without complicating operations.
Leading 3D printing company Formlabs is unveiling its Automated Ecosystem at the CES show in Las Vegas, which enables back-to-back throughput with Form Auto, advanced fleet management with Fleet Control and new levels of productivity in 3D printing with the High Volume Resin System.
The automated ecosystem reduces labour for users and minimises printer idle time through continuous printing, enabling users to efficiently produce end-use parts, prototypes and customisable products at a lower cost per part. The automated ecosystem will debut at CES 2023 in Las Vegas.
Formlabs has made 3D printing affordable and accessible, enabling leading companies in the dental, manufacturing, consumer goods, automotive, aerospace, medical, product design industries to develop new product designs, test prototypes, create custom tools and customise products. The automated ecosystem enables new innovations by allowing expansion from one Form 3+ or Form 3B+ 3D printer to a scalable fleet of 3D printers.
As users scale their 3D printing production from one printer to multiple printers, the automated ecosystem eases the transition without complicating management. The automated ecosystem allows for the management of multiple users and multi-material printer fleets, as well as continuous production. Users can run multiple prints overnight and into the weekend. When used in conjunction with Formlabs' 3D printers, the Ecosystem offers a three-fold increase in productivity while saving up to 80 per cent in labour costs, reducing the cost per part by 30 per cent and reducing packaging waste by up to 90 per cent.
Formlabs' automated ecosystem includes:
Form Auto: The Form Auto enables automated printing around the clock with automatic part removal. This optimises production and reduces labour. When parts are ready, the Form Auto seamlessly removes the finished parts from the Build Platform 2 with patented quick release technology and starts the next print from the queue as quickly as possible. The hardware extension works with Form 3 or Form 3+ 3D printers.
Fleet Control: Fleet Control simplifies 3D printer fleet management and streamlines workflows to maximise fleet productivity. It is a set of new features within Formlabs' Dashboard and PreForm software that includes centralised queue management and automatic printer allocation to optimise production, performance and printer efficiency with Form 3+, Form 3B+, Form 3L and Form 3BL printer fleets.
High Volume Resin System: The High Volume Resin System increases liquid resin capacity to five litres, five times the standard cartridge size. Users can now produce more parts with fewer interruptions for cartridge changes. This system streamlines operations by dispensing resin consistently with one resin pump. It also reduces downtime and operator intervention during cartridge changes, as well as packaging waste. This system is compatible with the Form 3+, Form 3B+. Form 3L and Form 3BL.
"Formlabs' automated ecosystem is a seamless solution to increase production with 3D printer fleets. The new system stays true to the ease of use of all Formlabs products so that any idea can become a reality. These solutions enable companies such as dental labs and manufacturing service providers to increase production without increasing labour or making expensive investments. This makes 3D printing more cost-effective for production. Formlabs users recently reached a major milestone with more than 100 million parts printed on our 3D printers. With the new automated ecosystem, Formlabs is increasing production capacity to enable users to develop further 3D printing innovations," says Dávid Lakatos, Formlabs Chief Product Officer.
www.formlabs.com
