WHITE PAPER
Formlabs Logo

Connecting the Form Wash L and Form Cure L via USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi

Connecting the Form Wash L and Form Cure L via USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi

Your options for connecting to a Form Wash L or Form Cure L depend on which version of the machine you are using:

MachineConnectivity options
  • Form Wash L V1
  • Form Wash L V2
  • Form Cure L V1
  • USB
  • Ethernet
  • Wi-Fi
  • Form Cure L V2
  • USB

Connect to a Form Wash L or Form Cure L to provide access for:

  • remote troubleshooting
  • sending diagnostic logs
  • receiving firmware updates

Note:

When connecting a Form Wash L or Form Cure L to a computer via USB or to a network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, check whether your machine’s firmware is up to date.

USB

Use a USB cable to connect a computer directly to the machine.

To connect with USB:

  1. Plug one end of the USB cable into the USB port on the back of the unit.
  2. Connect the other end of the USB cable to a computer’s USB port.

Note:

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

Ethernet

The rear of the Form Wash L V1, Form Wash L V2, and Form Cure L V1 is equipped with a RJ-45 Ethernet (10BASE-T/100BASE-TX) 100 Mbit LAN Port. Use a shielded Cat5, Cat5e. or Cat6 Ethernet cable (not included) to connect the machine to a local network.

 Form Wash L V1
Form Wash L V2
Form Cure L V1
Form Cure L V2
Ethernet connectivityRJ-45 Ethernet (10BASE-T/100BASE-TX/) LAN port
Connect with a shielded Cat5, Cat5e. or Cat6 Ethernet cable (not included)
No Ethernet connectivity

To connect with Ethernet:

  1. Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on the back of the unit.
  2. Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to your LAN.

Wi-Fi

The Form Wash L V1, Form Wash L V2, and Form Cure L V1 have built-in Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n) that supports WPA/WPA2 security. Use the touchscreen to configure a wireless network connection.

 Form Wash L V1
Form Wash L V2
Form Cure L V1
Form Cure L V2
Wi-Fi connectivity 
ProtocolIEEE 802.11 b/g/nNo Wi-Fi connectivity
Frequency2.4 GHz
Supported securityWPA/WPA2

To connect with Wi-Fi:

  1. Tap the wrench 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 Wash L or Form Cure L to a wireless network, install the Wi-Fi antenna by screwing it onto the jack on the back of the unit, next to the power, USB, and Ethernet ports.
  • For a Windows operating system, after installing PreForm, check to ensure that Bonjour is properly installed. Bonjour is third-party software that is required to connect over Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Visit support.apple.com for assistance with Bonjour.

Manual IP configuration

When connected to an active Ethernet connection or available wireless network, the Form Wash L and Form Cure L can be configured with a static IP address. Use the touchscreen to configure a manual IP connection.

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

  • With an established Ethernet or available Wi-Fi connection, tap the wrench icon on the Home screen. The Settings screen appears.
  • 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.
  • Toggle Use Manual IP to ON. The toggle turns blue.
  • Enter the appropriate IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and Name Server.