The Form 3+ is Formlabs' professional desktop stereolithography 3D printer, built on the proprietary Low Force Stereolithography (LFS) platform. Unlike conventional SLA printers that pull each cured layer from a rigid vat, the Form 3+ uses a flexible resin tank bottom that peels away progressively during printing — dramatically reducing the force exerted on the part during each layer separation. The result is smoother vertical surfaces, finer support structures that snap away cleanly, and consistently higher print success rates on delicate geometries such as microfluidic channels, jewelry patterns, and thin-walled dental models. An upgraded 250 mW laser and refined optical path deliver a clean 85 µm spot across the full 145 × 145 mm build plane.

How does Low Force Stereolithography differ from conventional SLA?

Conventional SLA and DLP printers cure resin through a rigid optical window, then mechanically peel or tilt the entire build platform to separate the cured layer from the vat. The force required to break this vacuum — typically several newtons per layer — deforms fine features, tears small supports, and introduces layer-to-layer registration errors. LFS replaces the rigid window with a flexible, gas-permeable tank film. As the build platform lifts, the film peels away from the part one edge at a time, like removing a sticker. The peak separation force drops by an order of magnitude. The benefits are most visible on parts with: high surface-area-per-layer cross sections, long unsupported overhangs, and fine lattice or mesh structures. The auto-heated 35°C chamber stabilizes resin viscosity across the print, further improving layer consistency.

What materials does the Form 3+ support?

Formlabs offers over 40 validated resins in the Form 3+ ecosystem, organized by application: Standard (Grey, Clear, White, Black), Engineering (Tough 2000, Durable, Rigid 4000, High Temp, Flexible 80A, ESD, Flame Retardant), Medical (BioMed Clear, BioMed Amber, BioMed White, BioMed Black, Dental LT Clear), Dental (Model, Surgical Guide, Custom Tray, Temporary CB, Permanent Crown, Denture Base, Denture Teeth, Castable Wax), and Jewelry (Castable Wax, Castable Wax 40). Draft Resin prints up to 4× faster than standard resin at 200 µm layers for rapid iterations. The Open Material Mode — enabled via a software setting — allows third-party 405 nm UV resins, giving labs and research groups the flexibility to use proprietary or experimental formulations.

How does the Form 3+ improve on the Form 3?

The Form 3+ represents an incremental hardware refinement over the Form 3, with the same LFS core technology and build volume. The primary upgrades are optical: a higher-power 250 mW laser (up from 250 mW on late-model Form 3 units), an improved galvanometer control board for tighter spot placement, and an updated photodiode calibration system that compensates for dust and optical degradation over time. The integrated cartridge-based resin dispensing system — shared with the Form 3/3B/3L — automatically refills the tank during long prints and enables one-minute material swaps. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB, with remote print management via Formlabs Dashboard and Fleet Control for multi-printer labs.