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Setting up your Form 4 generation printer

Setting up your Form 4 generation printer

Powering the printer on

Connect the power cord to the printer and a power source. Turn on the power switch on the back left of the printer.

Rear ports on a Form 4 generation printer

The first time the printer is connected to power, it displays a series of onboarding steps on the touchscreen. The onboarding steps include instructions for inserting consumables (resin tank, mixer, resin cartridge, and build platform) into the printer. Follow these steps to prepare the printer for use.

Note:

If the printer does not initialize and display the onboarding prompts, ensure that the cover is closed. If it is closed, open the cover and check for the two round interlock magnets located along its bottom edge. If one of the magnets has detached from the cover, it may have attached itself to the printer shell or become lodged underneath one of the resin tank latches. Readhere the magnet to the cover with an adhesive, then close the cover once dry to continue.

Inserting the resin tank and mixer

Warning:

Resin may cause skin irritation or an allergic skin reaction. Wear gloves when handling liquid resin or resin-coated surfaces. Wash skin with plenty of soap and water.

The resin tank is the primary container for holding resin after it is dispensed from the cartridge. Resin is cured onto the build platform when light passes through the tank's bottom film during printing.

The resin mixer improves print consistency by evenly mixing the resin and checking for debris.

  1. Lift the printer’s cover.
  2. Remove all packaging from the resin tank before inserting it into the printer.
  3. Remove the resin tank lid and set it aside.
  4. With the tank spout facing away from you, place the resin tank flat between the blue latches in the middle of the printer.
  5. Press down on the sides of the resin tank with your thumbs. Latch the tank into place by closing the two latch handles on the sides.
  1. Remove all packaging from the resin mixer before inserting it into the printer.
  2. Open the latch on the mixer before inserting it into the printer.
  3. Insert the mixer into the mixer mount with the flat body in the tank. If the two parts of the mixer have come apart, reassemble the mixer first.
  4. Lock the mixer into place by closing the latch.

Inserting the build platform

The build platform is the surface that each part prints onto. To insert the build platform:

  1. Lift the build platform latch.
  2. Align the build platform with the build platform mount and push into place.
  3. Lower the build platform latch to secure the build platform.

Inserting the resin cartridge

The resin cartridge stores resin to be dispensed into the resin tank. To prepare the resin cartridge:

  1. Shake the resin cartridge to ensure the resin is mixed well.

Notice:

Do not remove the rubber valve at the bottom of the cartridge or poke it with a sharp instrument. This bite valve controls the release of the resin. Removing the rubber bite valve would allow resin to continuously flow and cause extreme damage to the machine. This damage is not covered by the warranty.

  1. Align the cartridge with the opening at the back of the printer.
  2. Lower the resin cartridge until the top of the cartridge is level with the top of the printer. The cartridge sits loosely inside the cartridge slot. This ensures the load cell can accurately measure cartridge resin levels.
  3. If the printer is on, it will display a message on the touchscreen and play a notification sound once it detects the cartridge.
  4. Press open the vent cap before starting a print so that the resin tank fills correctly.

Printing with the Form 4

Now that the printer is set up:

Setting up the Form 4B

The Form 4B is a dental and medical-specific 3D printer that is validated to print 14+ materials for biocompatible applications from the Formlabs materials library.

Form 4B printers need to be temporarily connected to the internet when the printer is being set up for the first time. While connected to the internet, the printer quickly and securely registers a Formlabs biocompatible materials lifetime license. This is a one time configuration that is saved for the lifetime of your printer, even if you perform a factory reset on the machine.

Notice:

Form 4B printers are not able to print with Formlabs materials for biocompatible applications until they have been temporarily connected to the internet.

The first time the printer is connected to power, it displays a series of onboarding steps on the touchscreen. The onboarding steps include instructions for inserting consumables (resin tank, mixer, resin cartridge, and build platform) into the printer. Follow these steps, as detailed above, to prepare the printer for use.

  1. Turn on your Form 4B.
  2. Follow the onboarding instructions. If you don’t see onboarding steps, tap Settings > General > Show onboarding on the printer touchscreen.
  3. When you are prompted to temporarily connect to the internet, connect to an available Wi-Fi network. If no network is available, you can also connect via Ethernet or a temporary mobile hotspot.
    • Wi-Fi: Tap the desired wireless network. If prompted, enter your network password and tap the checkmark to confirm.
    • Ethernet: Plug an Ethernet cable into the back of your printer, then plug the other end into the LAN port of your modem or router.
    • Mobile hotspot: Set up your hotspot and check that it is connected to the internet. Connect the printer to the hotspot via Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable, depending on your device.
  4. When the onboarding steps are completed successfully, you should see Form 4B displayed at the top left of your touchscreen.
  5. You are now ready to print with any Formlabs material for biocompatible applications.

Checking if your Form 4B is set up correctly

When a Form 4B printer is set up correctly, the status bar on top of the printer touch screen will be blue and say Form 4B.

Form 4B status screen

Troubleshooting Form 4B setup

If you purchased a Form 4B printer but cannot print with a Formlabs material for biocompatible applications, please try the following troubleshooting steps.

  1. Follow the steps above to temporarily connect to the internet.
  2. Restart your printer using the power switch on the back left of the printer.
  3. Check if your printer says Form 4B in the top left of the touchscreen.
  4. If not, retry the printer onboarding wizard. Tap Settings > General > Show onboarding on the touchscreen and follow the steps.
  5. If your printer still doesn’t say Form 4B on the top left of the touchscreen, contact Formlabs Support.