Formlabs Form Studio 1 vs. Formlabs Form 4
Looking for a resin 3D printer? Compare Form Studio 1 with Form 4 side by side.
Formlabs Form Studio 1
Basics
Professional resin 3D printer for anyone
Form Studio 1 brings the speed, reliability, and print quality of Formlabs' professional printers to the desktop at a price anyone can reach. It's designed to just work: automatic resin dispensing, validated print settings, and one-click print preparation mean you spend your time creating, not troubleshooting. Alpha Resins deliver sharp, durable parts and are UL GREENGUARD Gold certified for low emissions, so you can print with confidence at home. Backed by more than a decade of SLA 3D printing experience and more than 500 million prints, Form Studio 1 turns ideas into form.
BENEFITS
- Outstanding value
- Blazing fast speed
- High resolution and fine details
- Great accuracy and print quality
- Easy to use, with an intuitive workflow
- Wide range of validated resins, including some engineering resins
- Safe resin and printed parts, UL Greenguard Gold Certified
- Reliability
- Professional customer support
- Open material mode included
- Wash and cure systems available
APPLICATIONS
- Hobby projects
- Models and props
- Miniatures & figurines
- Concept modeling
- Rapid prototyping
- Functional prototyping
- Short-run production
- Jewelry prototyping and casting
Print Technology
Low Force Display™ (LFD)
LFD is a new generation of masked stereolithography (MSLA) 3D printing where reduced peel forces lead to incredible surface finish and unmatched accuracy.
PRINT SPEED
Blazing fast
Up to 130 mm/hr with Alpha Fast Resin
40 mm/hr with general-purpose resins
10-20 mm/hr with functional materials
All while maintaining a very high print success rate.
LIGHT INTENSITY
6 mW/cm^2 max
XY RESOLUTION
35 μm
Pretuned anti-aliasing for subpixel resolution resulting in superior fine and sharp feature performance.
LIGHT SOURCE
Backlight Unit with 28 uniform-wavelength LEDs and custom lens array of plano-convex lenses for highly collimated and uniform light even at high power.
PEELING MECHANISM
Release Texture V2, a next-generation proprietary microtextured optical film, provides airflow between the resin tank and the Light Processing Unit. The improved Flexible Film Resin Tank features a dual-layer flexible film that gently separates from the edges of a cured layer, reducing the peel forces exerted on it, now with increased airflow and further reduced peel forces.
Build Volume
20.0 × 12.5 × 23.5 cm
7.9 × 4.9 × 9.3 in
5.9 liters
Materials
9 validated and 23 compatible Formlabs resins
Nine validated materials cover everyday printing, engineering parts, and jewelry casting.
Six Alpha Resins handle general-purpose printing, from fast drafts to fine, highly detailed parts. Alpha Resins are designed with safety in mind: they are UL GREENGUARD Gold certified for low chemical emissions when used with Form Studio 1 and the VOC Extractor, and printed parts are certified skin-safe in accordance with ISO 10993.
Tough 1500 V2, Flexible 80A V2, and True Cast Resins extend the capabilities of Form Studio 1 to functional prototypes, soft-touch parts, and castable patterns.
Every validated Formlabs material comes with print settings tested for Form Studio 1, delivering industry-leading print success and reliability without calibration or trial and error.
Most other Formlabs resins are also compatible with Form Studio 1 and work with automatic resin dispensing. Starting settings are provided, but you may need to fine-tune them. Since Form Studio 1 doesn't include a resin mixer, results and mechanical properties may differ from the technical data sheet.
Open system (included)
Open material mode is included, enabling the freedom to print your favorite third-party resins.
Features and Ease of Use
Automatic resin handling
Clean and hands-off: Automatic resin dispensing means no pouring or manual refilling, so your workspace stays clean.
Streamlined workflow: Resin level sensing and automatic dispensing keep the tank at the right level, so prints run without interruption.
Reliable: Precise, consistent dispensing helps ensure every print finishes successfully.
Light-touch supports
Pre-tuned support settings with light-touch supports are available for every material to facilitate support removal with minimum marks.
To print pre-supported models, use the readily available Formlabs Print Setting (FPS) specific for pre-supported models.
Accessible and automated post-processing tools
Form Studio Wash+Cure, a compact and affordable washing and curing solution designed for Form Studio 1. Also compatible with Form Wash and Form Cure, automated washing and post-curing solutions with validated settings for each Formlabs material.
Resin heating system
Enables the use of viscous resins and improves their print reliability.
Toolless part removal
Quick, easy, and tool-free with Build Platform Flex. Prevents part breakage and potential injuries while removing parts.
Remote printing
Remote printing is available via PreForm, and queued jobs can be started via the Formlabs Mobile app.
Camera
2-megapixel (1080p) print camera with enhanced lighting enables real-time monitoring of prints and beautiful time-lapses in all conditions.
App
Formlabs Mobile app features remote printing, notifications, monitoring, print history, and viewing livestream and time-lapse videos.
Software
Powerful, easy to use, free
Formlabs' free print preparation software, PreForm, automatically suggests optimal orientation, supports, and layout in just one click, with the ability to manually refine details as needed.
You can also use Dashboard or the Form Mobile app to manage your printers, whether it be a single printer or a fleet, monitor prints, and track materials and consumables.
PreForm has settings for all compatible Formlabs resins and some third--party resins for easy, optimized printing.
Reliability
99% print success rate
Print success rate comparable to Form 4. Reliability testing is in progress.
The improved Release Texture and durable Flexible Film Resin Tank minimize peel forces during printing. Plus, the built-in Resin Level Sensor and Z-Axis Force Sensor ensure consistency and performance.
In the event of an issue, error messages display QR codes that lead to support articles to get you back up and running as quickly as possible.
Class-leading accuracy
Dimensional tolerances:
- 1-30 mm features: ±0.5% (lower limit is ±0.08 mm)
- 31-80 mm features: ±0.2% (lower limit is ±0.08 mm)
- 81-150 mm features: ±0.03% (lower limit is ±0.08 mm)
Support
Professional support
All Formlabs hardware includes a one-year warranty and email support from a dedicated team. Detailed online guides, including step-by-step video tutorials, are also available.
Purchase the Service Plan to extend your warranty coverage and get access to additional benefits like accidental damage coverage and dedicated phone support, so you can use the printer worry-free.
Cost
Starting at $699
The $699 starting price includes all the essential tools required to start printing and access to the powerful software.
The Form Studio 1 Flex Package for $749 includes Build Platform Flex for toolless part removal; the Complete Package for $948 adds the Form Studio Wash+Cure all-in-one washing and curing unit, while the Professional Package for $1,647 includes Form Wash and Form Cure automated post-processing tools.
Buy from Formlabs via sales or the online store, or purchase through one of our distribution partners.
Formlabs Form 4
Cost
Resin 3D printer for professionals
Form 4 offers industry-leading technology to deliver reliable prints at production scale. Choose from our extensive resin library, engineered to deliver industrial-grade parts that are ready for any challenge. Go from design to finished part in fewer steps than ever with a streamlined, end-to-end ecosystem. Form 4 is designed to just work: automatic resin dispensing, validated print settings, and one-click print preparation let you spend more time making what matters and less time troubleshooting. Formlabs printers are trusted by tens of thousands of professionals around the world. Form 4B also lets you produce biocompatible dental and medical parts.
BENEFITS
- Outstanding value
- Blazing fast speed
- High resolution and fine details
- Great accuracy and print quality
- Easy to use, with an intuitive workflow
- Wide range of validated, engineering-grade, and specialty materials
- Safe resin and printed parts
- Reliability
- Professional customer support
- Open material mode available
- Wash and cure systems available
- Option for biocompatible dental and medical materials and workflows (Form 4B)
APPLICATIONS
- Concept modeling
- Rapid prototyping
- Functional prototyping
- Rapid tooling
- Manufacturing aids
- Short-run production
- Models and props
- Jewelry prototyping and casting
- Dental models and appliances*
- Medical models and medical devices*
* Use Form 4B for biocompatible printing
Print Technology
Low Force Display™ (LFD)
LFD is a new generation of masked stereolithography (MSLA) 3D printing where reduced peel forces lead to incredible surface finish and unmatched accuracy.
PRINT SPEED
Blazing fast
Up to 100 mm/hr with Fast Model Resin
45 mm/hr with general-purpose resins
10-35 mm/hr with functional materials
All while maintaining a very high print success rate.
LIGHT INTENSITY
16 mW/cm^2 max
XY RESOLUTION
50 μm
Pretuned anti-aliasing for subpixel resolution resulting in superior fine and sharp feature performance.
LIGHT SOURCE
Backlight Unit with 60 uniform-wavelength LEDs and custom lens array of plano-convex lenses for highly collimated and uniform light even at high power.
PEELING MECHANISM
Release Texture, a proprietary microtextured optical film, provides airflow between the resin tank and the Light Processing Unit. The Flexible Film Resin Tank features a dual-layer flexible film that gently separates from the edges of a cured layer, reducing the peel forces exerted on it.
Build Volume
20.0 × 12.5 × 21.0 cm
7.9 × 4.9 × 8.3 in
5.3 liters
Materials
22 validated resins on Form 4, 37 on Form 4B
A wide range of materials for prototyping and production, from soft elastomers to impact-resistant, high-stiffness resins. Specialty options include true silicone, ceramic, flame-retardant, ESD-safe, and temperature-resistant materials, as well as castable patterns.
Form 4B offers a comprehensive library of resins for dental and medical applications, including 15 biocompatible materials.
Every Formlabs material comes with validated print settings for industry-leading print success and reliability. Formlabs resins are also designed with user safety in mind and with minimal odor.
Open system (available)
Open material mode is available, enabling the freedom to print your favorite third-party resins.
Features and Ease of Use
Automatic resin handling
Clean and hands-off: Automatic resin dispensing means no pouring or manual refilling, so your workspace stays clean.
Streamlined workflow: Resin level sensing and automatic dispensing keep the tank at the right level, so prints run without interruption.
Reliable: Precise, consistent dispensing helps ensure every print finishes successfully.
Light-touch supports
Pre-tuned support settings with light touch supports are available for every material to facilitate support removal.
Resin mixing and heating system
Consistent printing and a wider variety of material options, including highly-filled and highly viscous resins.
Toolless part removal
Quick, easy, and tool-free with Flex Build Platform. Prevents part breakage and potential injuries while removing parts.
Remote printing
Remote printing is available via PreForm, and queued jobs can be started via the Formlabs Mobile app.
Camera
5-megapixel print camera with lighting enables real-time monitoring of prints and time-lapses in all conditions.
App
Formlabs Mobile app features remote printing, notifications, monitoring, print history, and viewing livestream and time-lapse videos.
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.
PreForm has settings for all Formlabs resins for easy, optimized printing.
Workflow
99% print success rate
Form 4 was measured to have a 98.7% print success rate by an independent global leader in product testing. Learn about the test methodology and see the results in our white paper.
The Release Texture and a durable Flexible Film Resin Tank minimize peel forces during printing. Plus, the built-in Resin Level Sensor and Z-Axis Force Sensor ensure consistency and performance.
In the event of an issue, error messages display QR codes that lead to support articles to get you back up and running as quickly as possible.
Class-leading accuracy
Dimensional tolerances:
- 1-30 mm features: ±0.15% (lower limit: ±0.02 mm)
- 31-80 mm features: ±0.2% (lower limit: ±0.06 mm)
- 81-150 mm features: ±0.3% (lower limit: ±0.15 mm)
Workflow
Professional support
All Formlabs hardware includes a one-year warranty and email support from a dedicated team. Detailed online guides, including step-by-step video tutorials, are also available.
Purchase a Pro Service Plan to extend your warranty coverage and get access to additional benefits like hot-swap replacements, dedicated phone support, training, and more, so you can stay focused on growing your business.
Workflow
Starting at $2,625
The $2,625 starting price includes all the essential tools required to start printing and access to the powerful software.
The Form 4 Complete Package for $5,749 also includes Form Wash and Form Cure 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.
Do you have more questions about the differences between these solutions?
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