Form 3+

Formlab Form 3+ is a 3D printer in the department that uses SLA (StereoLithography Apparatus) technology. This resin printer can produce objects with specific properties like heat resistance or flexibility.

Choosing SLA vs FDM

SLA is a process of polymerization (solidification) of liquid resin, thanks to a UV laser. It differs from FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling = printer with a filament) so read carefully this documentation. With SLA, the resin is irreversibily hardened in a type of material called thermosetting polymer. Since it resists heat, the obtained pieces can't be recycled properly. It also generate more trash with the replacement of tanks and cans. On top of that SLA production costs are higher than our other FDM machines. With that in mind, consider opting for SLA instead of FDM if :

Result needs to be more precise than what other printers can do
Result needs to resist to heat or certain mechanical forces
Result needs to have properties specific to certain resins: flexibility, transparency...

Security and rules of use

Handle with gloves and glasses when working with resin or alcohol. In case of contact with the body, wash exposed parts with soap and water.
Do not touch the transparent film under and in the tanks (things containing the poured resin). Also, do not put the tank outside of its receptacle or the printer. This would cause damage to the film, disturbing the action of the laser and requiring the replacement of the tank (135€). The tank is therefore handled by holding the handles on the sides.
A tank is only used for ONE type of resin. A label (which must be stuck on the tank and its receptacle) allows to know the type of resin used. If none of the tanks currently in use has the resin you want, you use a new tank.
The orange color of some transparent elements allows to protect the resin from UV of the natural light. We therefore think to close the lid of the tanks or the machine containing the tank with resin.
Handle tanks containing resin with care to avoid spilling it.
Resin is a liquid chemical and should not be disposed of in a normal garbage can. This also applies to the paper towel used to wipe up the resin residue. Everything should be disposed of in the specially labelled chemical waste garbage can. <= This is theory, because for now no such garbage can exist yet.

Support

For additional information to this documentation (time and settings for Formwash and Formcure etc.) see Formlabs support. In case of problems with the machines send a detailed email to support@cylaos.fr with pictures. People who made the training: Valentin (PhD student), Clémentine (M2), Côme (M2), Louise (M1). People who already used the machine : Soumil (M2), Timothée (M2).

Printing process

To make a print it is necessary to go through different steps:

preparation of the 3D model with Preform software
printing with Form 3+ not 3B or 3A
automatic cleaning with Formwash
manual cleaning
UV polymerization with Formcure
cutting of the object's supports

It is not necessary to take care of the object directly after a step in a machine, however it is good to take advantage of the fact that the object is full of alcohol after the Formwash to continue with the manual cleaning.

Choosing the right resin

=> to complete

Prepare your 3D model with Preform

Use Preform.

Printing

Prepare the material

Glasses, gloves, paper towels
Tools behind the Formwash
Work surface protection

Prepare the Form3+

to complete

=> Add here the things that normally don't need to be done like upgrading the machine.

Starting the printing with the Form3+

You can link your laptop to the machine using the USB cable. Follow instructions on the Form3+.

End of printing

To retrieve the part, lift the small latch on top of the platform and grasp the black handle on top of the platform. Pull the handle towards you, and with a rotation of the wrist at the same time, put the platform face up. Prepare a protection on the work surface (cutting board) and provide paper towels. Close the cap of the resin cartridge at the back of the Form3+. Clean the holder with paper towel and alcohol.

To remove the piece, twist the metal plate by taking a metal handle in each hand, thumbs on the black handle. If this step was not sufficient, use the squeegee in the back compartment of the Formwash and give small strokes in different directions at the base of the piece.

Clean the print

Clean with the Form Wash

The amount of alcohol should be between the two arrows, which indicates when it is time to change the alcohol. => To be completed Formlabs recommends for the Tough 2000 two washing times of 10min each, with a clean solvent for the 2nd. With the instructor we did not change the solvent so this should not be necessary. Form Wash time settings.

It becomes necessary to change the alcohol in the Formcure when the parts are badly cleaned and have more and more deposit.

Clean by hand

It is necessary to clean the print by hand after it has passed through the machine, especially to make sure that there is no resin left in the corners and grooves. (I don't have notes on how this was done, but I believe the guy used a pipette to make short, powerful jets of alcohol or water. See a video to be sure how to do it).

External links