This guide illustrates the printer’s various components, the initial setup, and how to begin printing. For additional information, consult the Form 3B/Form 3B+ manual and safety documentation.

1. Resin Cartridge
2. Status light
3. Cover
4. Build Platform
5. Resin Tank
6. Touchscreen
7. Status light
8. Leveling disc

For additional information on printer components, refer to the support article: Product glossary (Form 3B/Form 3B+).

A latch secures the Light Processing Unit (LPU) inside the printer during shipping.

To release the LPU housing from its shipping position:

1. Locate the latch (A) on the LPU housing.

2. Loosen and remove the thumb screws (B) and LPU latch.

3. Store the thumb screws and latch with the original packaging. The LPU must be secured with the thumb screws and latch during any printer transportation.

For additional information on removing the LPU latch, read our support article on receiving and unboxing the Form 3B/Form 3B+.

Place the printer on a level surface. Connect the power cable to the printer and a power outlet.

Follow the prompts on the touchscreen to complete the setup procedure:

1. Level your printer.
2. Set up a network connection.
3. Update the printer to the latest firmware.
4. Insert consumables: the resin cartridge, resin tank, and build platform.

Contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller for additional product support.

Once you’ve set up your Form 3B/Form 3B+, download PreForm to your computer and start printing.

Step 1: Prepare a file for printing

After downloading PreForm, read the support articles on designing successful 3D models and using PreForm to learn more about the software and preparing models for printing on Formlabs SLA printers.

If this is your first time using PreForm, an onboarding tutorial will appear and walk you through the software’s capabilities. Click Help > Show Onboarding Tutorial to review this information at any time.

When you’re ready, send your print to your Form 3B/Form 3B+ and start printing.

Step 2: Start a print

Step 3: Register your printer on Dashboard

Add your printer to Dashboard to track print progress, manage printers, and more. Read the support articles on using Dashboard to learn more.

Step 4: Finish your printed part

Once the print is complete, remove the build platform from the printer, wash any remaining liquid resin off your printed part, and post-cure and remove supports as necessary. Read the support article on SLA basic finishing steps to learn more.

Step 5: Between prints

Between prints, be sure to keep your Form 3B/Form 3B+ clean, paying particular attention to spilled resin. Handle the Form 3B/Form 3B+ resin tank with care to ensure print success and printer reliability.