WHITE PAPER
Formlabs Logo

Running printers and accessories offline

Running printers and accessories offline

Some customers have network security or access restrictions that may prevent them from connecting their Formlabs printers or accessories to the internet. Formlabs products can be run offline in such cases. If you have any questions, please contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller.

Setting up your printer or accessory

Formlabs printers and accessories do not require an internet connection during setup for most uses. The following exceptions require a one-time connection to activate a specific capability:

Uploading prints

Formlabs printers are equipped with a USB port, an Ethernet port, and Wi-Fi. If you cannot connect your printer to the internet, you can upload prints from PreForm by connecting directly to the printer over USB or by connecting the printer to a local area network with no external network access.

Read the following articles for more information about connectivity options and uploading prints:

Updating firmware

All Formlabs printers and accessories can have new firmware uploaded via USB. For accessories without network connectivity, such as the Form Wash and Form Cure, this is the only way to update firmware.

Read the following articles for more information about updating Formlabs product firmware and downloading new firmware versions:

Disabling Wi-Fi capabilities

As discussed above, Formlabs printers are equipped with Wi-Fi capabilities. Some Formlabs accessories, such as the Fuse Blast, also have Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi connectivity can be disabled through the printer touchscreen.

You can also physically disable the Wi-Fi to prevent other users from inadvertently reenabling it. On some machines, this requires desoldering a component from the system on module (SOM). Damage caused to the SOM or the rest of the machine during this process is the responsibility of the customer to cover and not subject to warranty claims.

Disabling integrated cameras

Form 4 and Form 4L generation printers contain an integrated camera. If the camera is enabled, it automatically saves a photo of each print as it completes. You can choose your preferred camera privacy settings during onboarding or adjust the camera privacy settings, enable or disable the camera, and control access to post-print photos once onboarding is complete.

You can also physically disconnect the camera to prevent other users from inadvertently reenabling it.

Additional cybersecurity information

Formlabs has published statements about network connectivity and activity requirements for Formlabs products (e.g., ports and protocols) as well as data retention policies and general cybersecurity compliance. Read the following articles for additional information: