Formlabs Form 4B vs Formlabs Form 4BL Medical Resin 3D Printer
Technical comparison · Resin 3D printing
Form 4B and Form 4BL Medical Resin 3D Printer are not direct competitors: different use classes (F2 vs F4). Form 4B costs less (~€5499) 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 4B
Formlabs
F2 · Intermediate
|
Form 4BL Medical Resin 3D Printer
Formlabs
F4 · Semi-professional
|
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2024 | 2024 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F4 — Semi-professional |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | 5499 € | 11499 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 39.8 × 36.7 × 55.4 cm | 66.4 × 52.8 × 79.4 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 18.3 kg | 58.5 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 200 × 125 mm | 353 × 196 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 210 mm | 350 mm |
| Power (W) | 480 W | 900 W |
| Voltage (V) | 240 V | 240 V |
| Maximum speed | 100 | 80 |
| Declared precision | 50 μm | 46 μm |
| Category specs | ||
| Build area XY (short side) (mm) | 125 mm | 196 mm |
| XY resolution (µm) | 50 µm | 46 µm |
| Light source | Mono LCD | Mono LCD |
| Print speed (mm/h) | 100 mm/h | 80 mm/h |
| Tilt / peel system | — | Tilt |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | Print job management is handled by the proprietary PreForm software, which enables automatic model layout, optimized orientation, and guided generation of retention supports. The program integrates preconfigured and validated print profiles for all proprietary materials, reducing the need for manual calibrations by the user. Through the Dashboard cloud platform, users can remotely monitor production progress, manage print queues for multiple devices, and analyze material consumption. The software architecture requires a network connection for advanced monitoring features, but it also allows files to be transferred via local USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi connections, ensuring operational flexibility inside the laboratory. | 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 4B 5499 € vs Form 4BL Medical Resin 3D Printer 11499 € — Form 4B wins (+109%)
- Work area: Form 4B 200×125 mm vs Form 4BL Medical Resin 3D Printer 353×196 mm — Form 4BL Medical Resin 3D Printer wins (+177%)
Which one to choose
Choose Form 4BL Medical Resin 3D Printer if…
you value work area.
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