Tip:
For a downloadable resource, see the guide Schedule of maintenance (Form 3/Form 3+/Form 3B/Form 3B+) (English only).
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Schedule of maintenance (Form 3 generation)
Schedule of maintenance (Form 3 generation)
Proactive maintenance is key for keeping your Form 3 generation (Form 3/Form 3+/Form 3B/Form 3B+) printer printing successfully. Consult the table below for a schedule of suggested maintenance procedures and links to additional guides and resources.
Schedule of maintenance
Daily
| Component | Inspection | Maintenance steps (if problems are noted) | Est Time | Incidental | Resource |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Build platform | Inspect the build platform for liquid resin, tackiness, or cured resin on the print surface. | Use isopropyl alcohol and paper towels to remove liquid resin or tackiness. Use a paint scraper to remove cured resin. | 0.1 h | Perform this check for each print. | SLA basic finishing steps |
Monthly
| Component | Inspection | Maintenance steps (if problems are noted) | Est Time | Incidental | Resource |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optical window | Remove the build platform, resin tank, and resin cartridge. On the touchscreen, tap the wrench icon to enter the Settings menu, 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. When the LPU moves to the center, use a light to inspect the optical window for contamination. | Remove any contamination using a dry photographic wipe (PEC*PAD) and a rubber bulb blower. If the contamination is difficult to remove, a small amount of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) may be applied to the photographic wipe to aid in removal. The optical glass should be cleaned in a slow, straight wipe from one side to the other. Repeat until all contamination is removed. | 0.2 h | Perform this check when your prints have visual defects, missing features, etc. | Cleaning the glass optical window (Form 3/Form 3B) |
| PreForm | Open PreForm and check for version updates. Select Help > About PreForm from the menu bar to check for PreForm updates. | If PreForm is unable to connect to the internet, PreForm versions can be downloaded manually using the resource guide provided here. | 0.1 h | Perform this check any time your printer behaves unexpectedly or displays an error message. | PreForm downloads and release notes |
| Printer firmware | Open PreForm. Expand the right panel by clicking the < button. Click the Printer Name to open the Job Setup window. Select the appropriate printer from the list to open the Printer Details window. Click Firmware Update. | If the printer is unable to connect to the internet, firmware versions can be downloaded to your computer. Manually downloaded files can be loaded via PreForm in the Firmware Update window. | 0.1 h | Perform this inspection any time your printer behaves unexpectedly or displays an error message. | Firmware downloads and release notes |
Incidental (as needed)
| Component | Inspection | Maintenance steps (if problems are noted) | Est Time | Incidental | Resource |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cartridge floor | The printer has issues dispensing resin | Remove the rear shell and clean the cartridge floor, dispense arm, and spring fingers with swabs and IPA. | 0.5 h | Perform this task if the printer has trouble dispensing resin. | Removing the Form 3 rear shell [EN] [DE] [ES] [FR] [IT] [JA] [ZH]. |
| Print failure | The print fails to adhere to the build platform or parts of the raft are curling off the build platform. |
| 0.5 h | Print fails or partially fails to adhere to the build platform. | Non-adherence |
| X-axis lead screw | The printer makes a clicking sound, the LPU fails to move normally, or printed parts are shifted on the X-axis. | The X-stage lead screw located horizontally within the printer cavity needs to be cleaned and lubricated. Contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller for an X-axis cleaning kit. Alternatively, print the thread cleaner and applicator. Use the printed thread cleaner to snap over the lead screw and thread it along the full length to remove any residue or contamination. Using the printed applicator, apply a thin layer of white lithium grease to the lead screw. | 0.5 h | Perform this check when the printer is making clicking sounds or when the LPU fails to move properly. | |
| LPU housing | The printer makes a clicking sound when the LPU moves all the way to the left side of the resin tank and is picking up or dropping off the mixer. | The mixer coupler is rotating too far when trying to engage/disengage the mixer. Update your machine’s firmware using PreForm. | 0.5 h | Perform this check when the printer is making unusual noises. | Firmware downloads and release notes |
| Resin tank | The printer indicates that the resin tank is nearing expiration or has reached the end of its life. | Using a resin tank beyond its life expectancy greatly increases the risk of a resin spill. Discontinue use of the resin tank and replace it. Resin can be transferred from the old resin tank to the new one. | 0.1 h | Perform this replacement when prompted by the printer. | Resin tank lifetime (Form 3/Form 3B) |
| Resin tank | The printer displays a Mixer Check Failure. | This failure typically occurs when cured resin is left on the resin tank or on the build platform. Inspect both and remove any cured resin. If the mixer decouples in a new or unused resin tank, it may help to remove the resin tank and pour resin directly into the tank to add lubrication. If the error persists, replace the resin tank and contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller. | 0.3 h | Perform this check when the printer displays a Mixer Check Failure. | Form 3/Form 3B error messages |
| Resin cartridge | The printer has been in the Filling stage for a prolonged period of time but is not dispensing resin. | Put on a pair of nitrile gloves, close the vent cap on the resin cartridge, and remove it from the printer. Turn the cartridge over and locate the black rubber bite valve on the bottom of the cartridge. Squeeze the bite valve several times against the hard shell of the cartridge until it unseals and fully opens. If unable to open the bite valve in this way, please contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller. | 0.1 h | Perform this check if the printer fails to dispense resin. | Resin cartridge maintenance and storage |
| Resin cartridge | Inspect the resin cartridge thoroughly for leakage, especially around the cartridge skirt and the rubber bite valve. | Do not use the resin cartridge if you notice resin leakage. Place the resin cartridge in a plastic bag and contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller. | 0.1 h | Perform this check before inserting a resin cartridge into the printer. | Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller |
| Resin cartridge | Check to see if the resin is more than 24 months old. The production date is located on a white sticker on the bottom of the cartridge. | Dispose of liquid resin according to environmental regulations. | 0.1 h | Perform this check before inserting a resin cartridge into the printer. | Resin care |
| Resin cartridge | A cartridge is inserted but the touchscreen displays a Cartridge Missing error. | Locate the two metal chips on the underside of the resin cartridge and inspect them for damage or contamination. If the chips are intact, clean them with isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs. | 0.1 h | Perform this check when the corresponding error message is displayed. | Resin cartridge maintenance and storage |
| Touchscreen | A resin tank is inserted but the touchscreen displays a Missing Tank error. | Test a different resin tank to determine if the issue is related to the original resin tank or the printer. If the issue is related to the original tank, locate the two metal chips on the underside of the resin tank and inspect them for damage or contamination. If the chips are intact, clean them with isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs. Locate and inspect the spring fingers located against the back wall of the printer cavity on the left side. Clean these with isopropyl alcohol, wiping in the direction of the long axis. | 0.1 h | Perform this check when the corresponding error message is displayed. | Maintaining the resin tank (Form 3/Form 3B) |
| Roller holder | Remove the build platform, resin tank, and resin cartridge. On the touchscreen, tap the wrench icon to enter the Settings menu, 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. When the LPU moves to the center, use a light to inspect the optical window for contamination. | Uninstall the roller holder and remove any contamination using paper towels and photographic wipes (PEC*PADs) dampened with IPA. Follow the instructions in the guide linked in the "Resource" column. | 0.3-0.5 h | Perform this check if you experience a resin spill. | Cleaning the Form 3 roller holder [EN] [DE] [ES] [FR] [IT] [JA] [ZH] |
Contacting Formlabs Support
If the maintenance steps above do not resolve the issue, contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller.
To help us provide the fastest and most effective response to your issue, please follow these steps:
- Upload diagnostic logs
- Serial name of the printer
- The serial name is on the back panel of the printer in the format AdjectiveAnimal.
- Tap the printer icon on the home screen.
- Troubleshooting steps attempted
- Example: “I reoriented the model in PreForm. I inspected the resin tank and did not notice any damage, clouding, or debris.”
- Resin formulation and lot number
- The lot number is inside the skirt of the resin cartridge.
- Layer thickness
- Tap Queue on the home screen.
- Relevant FORM files
- If available, attach FORM files of the model to the support request.
- 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.”