Formlabs Form 3+ SLA 3D Printer vs Formlabs Form 4BL Medical Resin 3D Printer
Technical comparison · Resin 3D printing
Form 3+ SLA 3D Printer and Form 4BL Medical Resin 3D Printer are not direct competitors: different use classes (F2 vs F4), very different prices (~3.1×). Form 3+ SLA 3D Printer costs less (~€3750) and is the entry-level choice; Form 4BL Medical Resin 3D Printer offers more capability at a higher price (~€11499). Judge them by budget, not head-to-head.
| Parameter |
Form 3+ SLA 3D Printer
Formlabs
F2 · Intermediate
|
Form 4BL Medical Resin 3D Printer
Formlabs
F4 · Semi-professional
|
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2022 | 2024 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F4 — Semi-professional |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | 3750 € | 11499 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 40.5 × 37.5 × 53 cm | 66.4 × 52.8 × 79.4 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 17.5 kg | 58.5 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 145 × 145 mm | 353 × 196 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 185 mm | 350 mm |
| Power (W) | 220 W | 900 W |
| Voltage (V) | 240 V | 240 V |
| Maximum speed | — | 80 |
| Declared precision | 25 μm | 46 μm |
| Category specs | ||
| Build area XY (short side) (mm) | 145 mm | 196 mm |
| XY resolution (µm) | 25 µm | 46 µm |
| Light source | Laser | Mono LCD |
| Print speed (mm/h) | — | 80 mm/h |
| Tilt / peel system | — | Tilt |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | Print process management is handled by PreForm, a highly optimized proprietary software that automates model orientation, support generation, and slicing using advanced algorithms. PreForm offers an intuitive interface and diagnostic tools that minimize print failures. Although it is not possible to use third-party open-source slicers due to the closed nature of the ecosystem, the native integration ensures perfect calibration with original materials. The software includes network file transmission capabilities and is tightly connected to the Dashboard cloud platform, which enables remote monitoring of printers and resin consumption, without being strictly mandatory for the machine's core offline operation. | Printer management is handled by the proprietary PreForm software, a well-proven tool that automatically optimizes model orientation, support generation, and build area layout. PreForm integrates natively with popular medical and dental CAD workflows, supporting standard formats such as STL and OBJ. The system offers advanced algorithms to calculate specific print parameters for each Formlabs resin. Connectivity is comprehensive, featuring options via USB, Ethernet, and local Wi-Fi. Although the Dashboard cloud platform is available for remote production monitoring and fleet management, the printer remains fully operational offline, ensuring the security of sensitive data within clinical environments. |
The differences that matter
- Price: Form 3+ SLA 3D Printer 3750 € vs Form 4BL Medical Resin 3D Printer 11499 € — Form 3+ SLA 3D Printer wins (+207%)
- Work area: Form 3+ SLA 3D Printer 145×145 mm vs Form 4BL Medical Resin 3D Printer 353×196 mm — Form 4BL Medical Resin 3D Printer wins (+229%)
Which one to choose
Choose Form 4BL Medical Resin 3D Printer if…
you value work area.
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