Formlabs Unveils New Tougher Resin and Faster Post-Processing Solution to Revolutionize SLA 3D Printing!

Formlabs, a leader in 3D printing, has made significant advancements in its SLA ecosystem with the introduction of two groundbreaking innovations: the Tough 1500 Resin V2 and the Form Cure 2nd Generation, a fast post-processing solution. These enhancements aim to close the gap between 3D printed parts and traditionally manufactured injection-molded components by providing higher durability and faster production workflows.

The new Tough 1500 Resin V2 is a remarkable upgrade over its predecessor, delivering 10 times higher fracture toughness, 3 times higher Gardner impact strength, and an elongation at break of over 150%. These improvements allow it to rival the mechanical properties of polypropylene, a commonly used material in injection molding, making it ideal for durable, high-performance applications in industries ranging from automotive to consumer products.

The upgraded resin now offers parts that are less prone to cracking or shattering, while maintaining their material properties over extended periods of use. This move brings Formlabs much closer to enabling 3D printed parts to match the durability and longevity of injection-molded components, but with the added benefits of design freedom and flexibility in production.

Formlabs CEO and co-founder Max Lobovsky stated, “For 3D printing to compete with injection molding, it needs to take a massive step in terms of material properties. With our new Tough 1500 Resin, we have made a massive step change that brings us significantly closer to having 3D printed parts compete with injection molded parts in terms of toughness and longevity, but with much more design freedom and production flexibility.”

In addition to the Tough 1500 Resin, Formlabs has also introduced the Form Cure 2nd Generation, which is designed to dramatically speed up the post-curing process, a crucial step for achieving the final properties of SLA printed parts. The new Form Cure cuts curing times by 2x to 8x compared to the previous generation, with general-purpose resins curing in just 60 seconds and engineering resins ready in under 15 minutes.

The enhanced curing process helps customers significantly reduce time-to-market and improve productivity. Users, including rapid prototyping engineers at major companies like Hasbro, have praised the speed of the new curing system, noting how it transforms the way they handle their production schedules.

Matthias Krabel, Managing Director at MAKRA PRO, shared his experience, saying, “We need to cure 600 parts per day. If we do this with our old Cure, we need more Cures to cure all those parts, meaning more time for us and more hours we need to pay, so the Cure (2nd Generation) process is better for us — cheaper and more efficient.”

Formlabs continues to empower its users with new tools for managing their 3D printing fleets more effectively. The Formlabs Dashboard, a free online print management platform, now includes Group Queues for automated print assignments and Cloud Slicing for faster processing. These features are designed to streamline workflows and improve collaboration for teams managing multiple printers, especially in high-volume environments.

Formlabs has also enhanced its PreForm software, introducing several user-requested features aimed at optimizing workflows. These updates include:

• Seven language options (English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese) for broader accessibility.
• The ability to add parts to a running job for SLS 3D printers, maximizing efficiency and reducing setup times.
• Model grouping and bulk model import to simplify the management of multiple parts, particularly useful for dental labs, service bureaus, and businesses handling high volumes of models.

These improvements enable smoother, more efficient workflows, reducing complexity and enhancing productivity for users in a variety of industries.

Formlabs, based in Somerville, Massachusetts, is the professional 3D printer of choice for engineers, designers, healthcare providers, manufacturers, and decision-makers worldwide. Since its inception, Formlabs has focused on making 3D printing more accessible with a range of SLA and SLS printers, post-processing solutions, and software that cater to industries from automotive to medical. Recognized as one of the world’s Most Innovative Companies in Manufacturing by Fast Company in 2024, Formlabs continues to lead the way in creating cutting-edge solutions that drive the future of 3D printing. For more information, visit www.formlabs.com.