• Peeling or separation between printed layers
• Pieces of cured parts floating in the resin tank

If a print has detached from the build platform, refer to the support article Non-adherence.

Any of the following factors, or a combination of them, can cause delamination in prints:

• Model orientation, layout, or support issues
• A print that has been paused for an hour or longer
• An older resin tank
• Loose build platform
• Contaminated optical surfaces
• Debris or contamination in the resin tank

Successful troubleshooting identifies symptoms and systematically narrows down the root cause of an issue. Follow the troubleshooting steps below to check for possible causes, beginning with the most likely cause of the print defect.

Step 1: Check the model in PreForm

Lateral forces on the part during the print (for example, the pulling or sliding motion of the peel process on the Form 2) can disrupt the molecular bonding between layers and separate them. This separation occurs for two reasons:

1. The part has a significant change in surface area between subsequent layers. Layers with large surface areas resist print forces better than layers with small surface areas, so a larger layer may separate from a smaller layer during the print. Reorient the part in PreForm to reduce the difference in surface area between neighboring layers.
2. Sections of the part are free-hanging or lack adequate supports. In PreForm, look for areas shaded in red, and add supports to these areas.
3. Suction cups, even small ones, can cause blowouts or delamination.
   1. Reorient models to avoid creating suction cups.
   2. Add drainage holes to models.
   3. Suction cups can inadvertently form when rafts partially overlap, leaving an enclosed space between them. Separate your models on the build platform to prevent this.
   4. Form 4 and Form 4L generation only: Enable the Cup Mitigation Enabled parameter in the Print Settings Editor to alleviate issues caused by suction cups.

Step 2: Check for pauses in printing

Extended pauses during the print can lead to delamination after the print resumes. For optimal dispensing, and to avoid long pauses during resin dispensing, use fuller resin cartridges when possible.

1. Resolve any errors displayed on the touchscreen that pause the print.
2. Enable notifications on Dashboard to receive text or email alerts for print interruptions as soon as they occur.

Step 3: Check the resin tank

Any damage or debris in or on the resin tank can block the laser at that location, preventing the resin directly above it from curing. Inspect the inside and underside of the tank for dirt, dust, and/or fingerprints. The bottom of the tank must be clean for the best print results.

Form 4 and Form 4L generation

1. Inspect the resin tank for debris with the plastic scraper that comes with the Finish Kit or a similar tool. Apply minimal force to remove the cured resin. Avoid using the corners of the tool to dig under the print. Do not use metal tools to inspect the resin tank.
2. Remove any failed prints and cured resin by printing a cleaning sheet.
3. Filter the resin to remove any contamination or cured resin.
4. Inspect the film at the bottom of the resin tank for scratches or wear. Excessive wear means the resin tank needs to be replaced.
5. Inspect the underside of the film for dirt, dust, or fingerprints. Clean it with Formlabs recommended steps and supplies.

Form 3 and Form 3L generation

1. Inspect the resin tank for debris with the tank tool.
2. Remove any failed prints and cured resin using the tank tool.
   • Form 3/Form 3B
   • Form 3L/Form 3BL
3. Alternatively, remove any failed prints and cured resin by printing a cleaning mesh.
   • Form 3/Form 3B
   • Form 3L/Form 3BL
4. Filter the resin to remove any contamination or cured resin.
   • Form 3/Form 3B
   • Form 3L/Form 3BL
5. Inspect the flexible film at the bottom of the resin tank for scratches or wear. Excessive wear means the resin tank needs to be replaced.
   • Form 3/Form 3B
   • Form 3L/Form 3BL
6. Inspect the underside of the flexible film for dirt, dust, or fingerprints. Clean it with Formlabs recommended steps and supplies.
   • Form 3/Form 3B
   • Form 3L/Form 3BL

Form 2

1. Inspect the resin tank for debris with a scraper.
2. Remove any failed prints and cured resin with the scraper, being careful not to gouge or cut the elastic layer at the bottom of the tank.
3. Filter the resin to remove any contamination or cured resin.
4. If using Resin Tank LT, skip this step. Inspect the elastic layer of the standard resin tank for clouding. Severe clouding means a standard resin tank needs to be replaced.
5. Inspect the acrylic tank window on the underside of the resin tank for dirt, dust, cured resin, or fingerprints. Clean it with Formlabs recommended steps and supplies.

Step 4: Check the printer's optical surfaces

Any contamination, dust, or debris on the printer’s optical surfaces can cause the laser light to diffuse or weaken, resulting in a print failure. Contamination is most likely to occur on an exposed optical surface in the printer.

Form 4 and Form 4L generation

The optical surface most likely to be contaminated is the release texture, the top face of the Light Processing Unit (LPU). It prevents suction from forming between the resin tank film and the LPU, reducing peel forces between layers. Any contamination on the release texture can cause the backlight to diffuse or weaken, resulting in print defects.

1. Remove any inserted consumables from the printer.
2. Inspect the release texture for contamination.
3. Follow the instructions for cleaning the release texture.
   • Form 4 generation
   • Form 4L generation
4. The underside of the LPU can also become contaminated, particularly if the LPU fan filter is clogged. If you suspect that the underside of the LPU is contaminated rather than the release texture, test the LPU and Backlight Unit, then clean the LPU and LPU fan filter based on the results.

Form 3 and Form 3L generation

The optical surface most likely to be contaminated is the glass optical window, which sits atop the Light Processing Unit (LPU).

1. With the printer plugged in and powered on, tap the wrench icon to access the Settings screen, then tap Maintenance > Motor Moves. The Motor Moves screen appears. Tap and hold Left (<) to move the LPU housing to the middle of the printer cavity. Other controls on this screen fully sweep the LPU housing across the printer cavity and control the build platform carriage.
2. When prompted by the touchscreen, disconnect the power cable before continuing with maintenance.
3. Inspect the optical window for contamination.
4. Follow the instructions for cleaning the glass optical window.
   • Form 3/Form 3B
   • Form 3L/Form 3BL
5. If streaks are difficult to remove, contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller.

Form 2

The optical surface most likely to be contaminated is the glass optical window beneath the resin tank that protects internal components from contamination.

1. Inspect the optical window on the Form 2 or for contamination.
2. Follow the instructions in Cleaning the glass optical window (Form 2). If streaks are difficult to remove, contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller.

Step 5: Check the build platform

A loose build platform can cause delamination in prints.

On Form 4 generation printers, the build platform mounts on the build platform dovetail assembly, which includes the build platform latch. Any issues with the dovetail assembly may cause alignment issues for the build platform and the LPU surface.

Form 3 and Form 3L generation

1. Make sure the build platform is locked in place.
2. Hold the build platform and gently rock it back and forth.
3. If the build platform rotates or moves when the cam handle is locked, contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller for instructions to resolve this issue.

Form 2

1. Make sure the build platform is locked in place.
2. Hold the build platform and gently rock it back and forth.
3. If the build platform rotates or moves when the cam handle is locked, contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller for instructions to resolve this issue.

If the troubleshooting steps above do not resolve the print failure, contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller.

To help us provide the fastest and most effective response to your issue, please follow these steps:

1. Upload diagnostic logs
2. Serial name of the printer
   • The serial name is on the back panel of the printer in the format AdjectiveAnimal or Machine-AdjectiveAnimal.
   • Form 4 or Form 4L generation printer: Tap Settings > General > About this printer
   • Form 3 or Form 3L generation printer: Tap the printer icon on the Home screen.
   • Form 2: Tap the printer icon on the home screen. The Your Printer screen appears.
3. Troubleshooting steps attempted
   • Example: “I reoriented the model in PreForm. I inspected the resin tank and did not notice any damage, clouding, or debris.”
4. Resin formulation and lot number
   • The lot number is inside the skirt of the resin cartridge.
5. Layer thickness
   • Form 2: Tap the queue icon on the home screen. The Jobs screen appears.
   • Other Formlabs SLA printers: Tap the queue icon on the printer's touchscreen. The Queue or Jobs screen appears.
6. Relevant FORM files
   • If available, attach FORM files of the model to the support request.
7. Previous attempts to print the part and any successful prints
   • Example: “I printed the file part2.form three times previously. The first and second were successful. The third one failed.”