Continued progress in 3D printing technology—specifically in hardware, software and material science— has made stereolithography (SLA) more affordable and accessible, allowing businesses to change their approach to prototyping, testing and production.
This past spring, Formlabs introduced its Form 4 SLA 3D printer at Hannover Messe, showcasing improved speed and technology, such as Low Force Display, for faster printing.
In this first of a three-part series, Cole Durbin, technical program manager at Formlabs, told Machine Design about SLA 3D-printed parts being used across industries for end-use products, industrial replacement parts, manufacturing aids, tooling and more due to the smooth surface finish and precise tolerances. He introduces us to Form 4B as well, which is tailored for medical and dental users, offering a licensing system for printing with specific materials.
We also learn that maintenance is designed to be user friendly with features such as factory calibrations and user-replaceable components. Special tools, including Allen keys and parallelism shims, are provided.
