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Connecting a Formlabs SLA printer via USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi

Connecting a Formlabs SLA printer via USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi

Before connecting your printer, install or update PreForm, and make sure your printer’s firmware is up to date.

There are three options for connecting a Formlabs SLA printer (Form 2 or later):

USB

The USB cable included with the printer is intended for a secure, wired connection. Plug the parallel cable end directly into the back of your printer and finish by inserting the other end into your computer’s USB port.

Note:

If your computer is running Windows 7 and cannot connect to a printer via USB, download the USB drivers for PreForm.

Rear ports on a Form 2.
Rear ports on a Form 3.
Rear ports on a Form 3L.
Rear ports on a Form 4.
Rear ports on a Form 4L.

Note:

Form 4 and Form 4L generation printers have a USB-C port in the rear of the unit. If you experience connection issues when using a USB-C to USB-C cable, try using a USB-C to USB-A cable.

Ethernet

The rear of the unit is equipped with a RJ-45 Ethernet LAN Port. Use a shielded CAT-5 Ethernet cable to connect the printer to a local network. Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the back of the printer, and connect the other end to your LAN.

 Form 2Form 3 generation
Form 3L generation
Form 4 generation
Form 4L generation
Ethernet specifications10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet (100 Mbit)10BASE-T/100BASE-TX/1000BASE-T Ethernet (1000 Mbit)

Wi-Fi

Formlabs SLA printers (Form 2 or later) have built-in Wi-Fi. Configure a wireless network connection using the printer’s touchscreen.

 Form 2Form 3 generation
Form 3L generation		Form 4 generation
Form 4L generation
Connection typeIEEE 802.11 b/g/n Wi-FiIEEE 802.11 b/g/n Wi-FiIEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi
Frequency2.4 GHz2.4 GHz / 5 GHz2.4 GHz / 5 GHz
SecurityWEP / WPAWPA / WPA2WPA / WPA2

Configuring Wi-Fi on a Form 2

To configure Wi-Fi on a Form 2:

  1. Tap the printer icon on the home screen. The Your Printer screen appears.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi screen appears.
  3. Toggle Wi-Fi to ON. The toggle turns blue.
  4. Tap the desired wireless network.
  5. If prompted, enter your network password and tap the arrow to confirm.

Note:

To upload a print using Wi-Fi on a Form 2, your computer must be on the same network as the printer.

 

Configuring Wi-Fi on all other Formlabs SLA printers (Form 3 or later)

To configure Wi-Fi on all other Formlabs SLA printers (Form 3 or later):

  1. Tap the gear icon on the Home screen. The Settings screen appears.
  2. Tap Connectivity > Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi screen appears.
  3. Toggle Use Wi-Fi to ON. The toggle turns blue.
  4. Tap the desired wireless network.
  5. If prompted, enter your network password and tap the checkmark to confirm.

Note:

To connect a Form 3L/Form 3BL to a wireless network, install the Wi-Fi antenna by screwing it onto the jack on the back of the machine, next to the power, USB, and Ethernet ports.

 

To upload a print using Wi-Fi on a Formlabs SLA printers (Form 3 or later), your computer must be on the same network as the printer unless remote printing is enabled.

Manual IP configuration

When connected to an active Ethernet connection or available Wi-Fi network, the printer can be configured with a static IP address.

 

Configuring Wi-Fi or Ethernet using a manual IP on a Form 2

To connect with Wi-Fi or Ethernet using a manual IP configuration on a Form 2:

  1. With an established Ethernet or available Wi-Fi connection, tap the printer icon on the home screen. The Your Printer screen appears.
    • For Wi-Fi networks, tap Wi-Fi, then the desired wireless network. The Wi-Fi screen appears.
    • For Ethernet connections, tap Ethernet. The Manual IP settings screen appears.
  2. Toggle Manual IP settings to ON. The toggle turns blue.
  3. Enter the appropriate IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and Name Server.

Configuring Wi-Fi or Ethernet using a manual IP on a Formlabs LFS printer (Form 3 or Form 3L generation)

To connect with Wi-Fi or Ethernet using a manual IP configuration on a Formlabs LFS printers (Form 3 or Form 3L generation):

  1. With an established Ethernet or available Wi-Fi connection, tap the gear icon on the Home screen. The Settings screen appears.
  2. Tap Connectivity. The Connectivity screen appears.
    • For Wi-Fi networks, tap Wi-Fi, then the desired wireless network. A new screen appears. Tap the Manual IP button in the lower-left corner. The Manual IP Settings screen appears.
    • For Ethernet connections, tap Ethernet. The Manual IP Settings screen appears.
  3. Toggle Use Manual IP to ON. The toggle turns blue.
  4. Enter the appropriate IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and Name Server.

Configuring Wi-Fi or Ethernet using a manual IP on a Formlabs LFD printer (Form 4 or Form 4L generation)

To connect with Wi-Fi or Ethernet using a manual IP configuration on a Formlabs LFD printers (Form 4 or Form 4L generation):

  1. With an established Ethernet or available Wi-Fi connection, tap the gear icon on the Home screen. The Settings screen appears.
  2. Tap Connectivity. The Connectivity screen appears.
    • For Wi-Fi networks, tap Wi-Fi, then the desired wireless network. A new screen appears. Tap the Manual IP button in the lower-left corner. The Manual IP screen appears.
    • For Ethernet connections, tap Ethernet. The Manual IP screen appears.
  3. Toggle Use manual IP to ON. The toggle turns blue.
  4. Enter the appropriate IP address, Subnet mask, Default gateway, and Name Server.