Formlabs Form 3+ vs. Nexa3D XiP
See why Formlabs Form 3+ is the leading resin 3D printer for professionals.
Formlabs Form 3+
Cost
Starting at $2,499
The $2,499 starting price includes all the essential tools required to start printing and acccess to the powerful software and online Dashboard. For $5,951, the Form 3B+ unlocks a wide range of biocompatible materials. Complete packages for $4,249 (Form 3) or $8,720 (Form 3B+) include also custom-developed automated post-processing tools and a premier service plan for a turnkey solution.
Buy from Formlabs via sales or the online store, or purchase through one of our distribution partners.
Print Technology
Low-Force Stereolithography (LFS)™
LFS is the next phase in SLA 3D printing, that delivers incredible surface quality and print accuracy, meeting the demands on today’s market for scalable, reliable, industrial-quality 3D printing.
Build Volume
14.5 × 14.5 × 18.5 cm
5.7 × 5.7 × 7.3 in
Resolution
Accurate, repeatable prints with a smooth surface finish
For illustration purposes only.
25-200
micron Z resolution
25
micron XY resolution
Materials
30+ validated, functional resins, more in development
A wide range of materials for prototyping and production from soft silicone-like to flexible, tough, durable, and rigid varieties. Polyurethanes for end-use parts, specialty materials for high-temperature applications and castable patterns. A comprehensive palette of resins for dental and medical applications, including 10+ materials for biocompatible parts.
Software
Powerful, easy to use, free
Formlabs' free print preparation software, PreForm, automatically suggests optimal orientation, supports, and layout, with the ability to manually refine details as needed. You can also use the online Dashboard to manage a fleet of printers, monitor prints, track materials and consumables, and work with your team.
Features and Ease of Use
Automated resin dispensing
Automated post-processing tools
Automated washing and post-curing solutions designed for the Form 3 and validated for each material.
Easy part removal with Build Platform 2
Automated resin mixing
Consistent printing and a wider variety of material options, including highly-filled materials.
Remote printing
Company
Market leaders
Formlabs brought SLA 3D printing to the desktop in 2011 and SLS printing to the benchtop in 2021, and has become the market leader in both technologies, selling more than 100,000 printers. The Form 3+ is a 3rd generation product, powered by a proven technology that has been used to print 100,000,000+ parts.
Nexa3D XiP
Cost
Starting at $5,999
Nexa3D XiP printers start at $5,999, which includes only the printer. An additional service plan, inferior third-party post-processing tools, and paid software subscription to get access to all materials adds up to more than $9,200 for the complete package.
Print Technology
Masked Stereolithography (mSLA)
mSLA uses an LED array as the light source and an LCD photomask to shape the layer image onto the bottom of the tank. The LCD screen in XiP is rated at 3,000 hours, which means that it requires 1-2 replacements per year based on printer usage, each costing $399.
Build Volume
19.5 x 11.5 x 21 cm
7.7 x 4.5 x 8.3 in
Resolution
Inferior accuracy, more visible layer lines
For illustration purposes only.
50-200
micron Z resolution
52
micron XY resolution
Materials
17 resins, but not all validated
A more limited selection of materials for prototyping and production, and barely any materials for dental and medical applications. Most of the materials are not validated on the printer, which results in more failed prints and overall lower quality.
Software
Barebone
Nexa3D’s NexaX software offers a more limited set of features and is only available for Windows. There’s no logging system on the printers and no online Dashboard to manage printers, print jobs, or materials.
Features and Ease of Use
Automated resin dispensing
Automated post-processing tools
Basic, third-party, labor-intensive post-processing tools.
Easy part removal with Build Platform 2
Automated resin mixing
Remote printing
Software
Evolving product line
Nexa3D is a new entrant to the 3D printing market with a still evolving product line and a small install base. The XiP is a 1st generation printer with a limited ecosystem of materials, accessories, software, and workflows around it.
Request a Free Sample 3D Print
See and feel Formlabs quality firsthand. We’ll ship a free sample part to your office.
24/7 Reliability, At Your Service
Form 3+ offers industry-leading technology and support so you can spend less time troubleshooting and more time printing.
The Parts You Want, Every Time
Best-in-class printer reliability and accuracy means your parts come out right the first time.
We Help You Succeed From The Start
Get up and running right away with personalized onboarding remotely or onsite.
Service With A Human Touch
Expert service, whenever you need it. When required, we come to you for implementation, training, optimization, and repairs.
Advanced Materials for Industrial-Quality Parts
Bring your parts to life with our ever-expanding materials library, designed to deliver industrial-grade parts that are up to any challenge.
30+ Materials, Ready To Be Put To The Test
Each resin in our ever-expanding library is optimized for standout mechanical properties like impact resistance, stiffness, flexibility, and more.
Formulated And Rigorously Tested In-House
All Formlabs materials come with optimized print settings to guarantee industry-leading print success and reliability.
Boundary-Breaking Photopolymers
Specialized materials offer UV stability, flame retardancy, ESD resistance, glass-filled rigidity, biocompatibility, and more.
An Easier, More Efficient Workflow
Go from design to finished part in fewer steps than ever with the streamlined, end-to-end Form 3+ ecosystem.
Hassle-Free Materials Management
Seamlessly switch between a wide range of materials in seconds with our spill-free, swappable cartridge system.
Intuitive Software
Prepare parts in PreForm with just a few clicks and manage printers, consumables, and teams through your online Dashboard.
Powerful Automation Tools
Minimize cost per part and unlock 24/7 production with the Formlabs Automation Ecosystem.
Pre-Production Validation
Tough 1500 ResinForge Motorsport reverse-engineered an underperforming part, 3D printed a new design, and tested it on a vehicle for five months before committing to tooling.
Form 3+ Ecosystem At A Glance
Get more done in a day with the Form 3 Series ecosystem, where every step was designed to save you time.
Make Anything At Scale
With Formlabs Automation Ecosystem
Reach new levels of productivity with a fully-automated Form 3+ printer fleet you can operate from anywhere, at any time. Unlock 24/7 production with Formlabs Automation Ecosystem: Form Auto, Fleet Control, and the High Volume Resin System.