Formlab Introduces Consumer-Focused 3D Printer
The company's latest device is priced at $699 and designed for non-professional users.
Piles of boxes stacked around my desk are a testament to the latest arrival at Formlabs: the consumer-focused 3D printer, Form Studio 1.
The Form Studio 1 is nestled among the cardboard fortress, its compact size making it an attractive option for non-professional users. David Lakatos, chief product officer at Formlabs, emphasized that the new device doesn't require a lot of space to operate.
Unlike other Formlabs printers, which are typically sold to professional businesses such as assembly shops or dentists who can afford to spend upwards of $2,500 on equipment, the Form Studio 1 is priced more accessibly. Its cost is $699, making it an affordable option for hobbyists and enthusiasts.
The printer uses SLA (stereolithography) resins to produce solid plastic objects when exposed to ultraviolet light. Users can opt for Formlabs-branded products or third-party resins, with individual bottles starting at $29.
The Form Studio 1 requires ample space to accommodate its various components and resin cartridges, which can accumulate over time.
As our testing setup demonstrated, unboxing more than a dozen boxes from Formlabs resulted in a significant amount of packaging materials.
While the exact extent of clutter may vary depending on individual circumstances, it's clear that dedicated storage is necessary for the printer's accessories.
The front touchscreen interface allows users to troubleshoot issues and prepare prints for production.
Upon activation, the Studio 1 operates relatively quietly and with minimal odor emissions, a notable improvement over traditional resin-based 3D printing methods.
Moreover, Formlabs-branded resins are certified by UL GreenGuard, meeting the same standards used to ensure safety in baby products that come into contact with skin or release fumes.
This certification suggests that the Studio 1 can be safely used in residential areas without concerns about unpleasant odors or hazardous emissions.
The printer's compact design and odor-free operation make it suitable for use in bedrooms or other living spaces, according to Formlabs' vision.
The Formlabs' Studio 1 has proven to be a reliable and user-friendly 3D printer, as demonstrated by its ability to print a clear cover for the toolbox that comes with it in just 17 minutes.
The printing process was relatively quiet, only producing a noticeable odor when lifting the hood after completion. The resulting product was clean and intact, showcasing the precision of SLA printing technology.
Formlabs' internal testing has yielded a remarkably low failure rate of around 2 percent for prints made using their own resins. This is a significant improvement over competitors in the industry, assuming this performance holds up in real-world use.
The Studio 1's ease of use is also facilitated by Form Mobile, an app that allows users to control prints or send designs directly to the printer from their mobile device.
Facts based on reporting originally published by Wired.
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