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 $3,750
The $3,750 starting price includes all the essential tools required to start printing and acccess to the powerful software and online Dasboard. For $4,299, the Form 3B+ unlocks a wide range of biocompatible materials. Complete packages for $5,450 (Form 3) or $6,351 (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.
Do you have more questions about the differences between these solutions?
High Quality Parts, Fast and Affordably
Reduce costs, iterate faster, and bring better experiences to market with our advanced 3D printing materials designed to deliver beautiful final parts for a wide range of applications.
Rapid Prototyping
Draft Resin
$9
4 hours
Note: Print time and cost will vary based on part geometry, material, layout, and orientation.
Request a Free Sample 3D Print
See and feel Formlabs quality firsthand. We’ll ship a free sample part to your office.
The Form 3+ Workflow in Five Minutes
Get more done and work more efficiently with an end-to-end 3D printing workflow. From printing, to post-processing, each step of the process was designed with efficiency in mind.
Design
Wash
Remove Part
Remove Supports
Cure
100,000,000 Parts Printed With Formlabs Technology
Start Scaling Your Prototyping and Production Today
With faster than ever print speeds, advancements in post-processing, and continued refinements in part quality, the Form 3+ allows you to quickly and reliably go from design to part in hand at an accessible price point.