Resin Cartridge and Tank
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Learn more about the Formlabs Form 2:
The Form 2 delivers high-resolution parts at a reasonable cost and lead time. A vast range of resin options ensure that a part can be printed in a material that makes the most sense for any given application, and without much wasted time or cost in the material changeover process. This machine delivers an excellent and competitive middle ground between consumer-grade plastic deposition style 3D printing and industrial polyjet or jet-fusion 3D printers.
Additionally, the Formlabs Form 2 can provide competitive minimum feature sizes to industrial 3D printers, and is widely regarded as a good option for aesthetic models, figurines, or similar. Due to the nature of SLA technology, the parts are also water/air-tight and printed solid all the way through. Hollow parts could be created with drain holes included in the part geometry.
Layer Thickness
25 microns (0.025mm), 50 microns (0.050mm), or 100 microns (0.100mm) depending on material selection. See material options chart below.
Build Volume
145mm (L) × 145mm (W) × 175mm (H) however we will only print objects smaller than this volume due to print setup and processing limitations.
Resolution
Resolution may vary slightly depending on the resin chosen, but the true resolution of the Formlabs Form 2 is undefined by the manufacturer due to the complex mirror system used. However, a good estimate is about 10 micron on features larger than 200 micron. The spot size of the laser is about 140 micron. Selecting a finer layer height generally has no effect on XY resolution. Possible Layer heights vary depending on resin selected (see tables below).
Design guidelines for part geometry can be found here
Material Options
Color of the resin is directly linked to the resin formulation, so it is suggested to do some research into what a part looks like when printed in each resin.
Standard Resins
Standard resins offer great visual quality for relatively run-of-the-mill parts that don’t have rigorous mechanical requirements.
| Name | Serial | Layer Height (micron) | Cost | Data, Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draft V1 | RS-F2-DRBL-01 | 300 | $$ | Technical Data, Usage Guide | Draft Resin prints up to four times faster than Formlabs standard materials, making it ideal for initial prototypes and rapid iterations to help bring products to market faster |
| Clear V4 | RS-F2-GPCL-04 | 100, 50, 25 | $ | Technical Data | Clear Resin polishes to near optical transparency, making it ideal for showcasing internal features |
| Black V4 | RS-F2-GPBK-04 | 100, 50, 25 | $ | Technical Data | Black Resin’s opaque matte finish rivals the look of injection-molded plastics, capable of producing incredible looks-like prototypes |
| Grey V4 | RS-F2-GPGR-04 | 100, 50, 25 | $$ | Technical Data | Grey Resin has a smooth, matte finish and shows details beautifully without primer |
| White V4 | RS-F2-GPWH-04 | 100, 50 | $$ | Technical Data | White Resin emphasizes fine details and has a matte finish with a warm, slightly ivory color |
Note: After 2 years in storage, these resins may fail when printing
Engineering Resins
Engineering resins offer various mechanical properties depending on the desired application of a part.
There are specific resins for applications that require:
- rubber-like flexibility
- high temperature resistance
- high strength
- increased rigidity
Note: We do not offer elastic resin anymore. If a customer requests elastic resin, direct them to the Connex.
| Name | Serial | Layer Height (micron) | Cost | Data, Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elastic 50A v1 | RS-F2-ELCL-01 | 100, 50, 25 | $$$ | Technical Data, Usage Guide | Elastic is the softest Engineering Resin, this 50A Shore durometer material is suitable for prototyping parts normally produced with silicone. Choose Elastic 50A Resin for parts that will bend, stretch, compress, and hold up to repeated cycles without tearing |
| Flexible 80A v1 | RS-F2-FL80-01 | 100, 50 | $$$ | Technical Data, Usage Guide | Flexible 80A Resin is an elastomeric resin designed to print stiff, flexible parts that simulate the flexibility of rubber. |
| High Temp v2 | RS-F2-HTAM-02 | 100, 50, 25 | $$$ | Technical Data, Usage Guide | High Temp is ideal for applications requiring the part to stand up to high temperatures with minimal loading. The material has almost no flex, however, so snap fits and living hinges are not suited for printing with High Temp Resin. |
| Tough v5 (EOL) | RS-F2-TOTL-05 | 100, 50 | $$ | Usage Guide | Tough 2000 Resin simulates both the feel and important mechanical properties of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic. ABS is a very common thermoplastic that provides a good balance of strength and flexibility. Tough 2000 Resin creates strong engineering prototypes and has been developed to withstand high stress and strain. For further finishing, Tough 2000 Resin can also be machined once printed. |
| Durable v2 | RS-F2-DUCL-02 | 100, 50 | $$ | Technical Data, Usage Guide | Durable Resin is impact resistant and highly wear resistant, capable of extreme deformation before breaking, and has low friction compared to standard resins and Tough 2000 Resin. Use Durable to prototype parts that will eventually be made from polypropylene (PP) or high density polyethylene (HDPE). It is best used when these features are required in a room-temperature application. |
| Rigid 4000 v1 | RS-F2-RGWH-01 | 100, 50 | $$ | Technical Data, Usage Guide | Rigid 4000 Resin is an Engineering Resin designed for stiffness and precision. The material is reinforced with glass to offer a very high modulus and a polished finish. Rigid 4000 Resin is highly resistant to deformation over time. The glass-powder reinforcement enables Rigid 4000 Resin to be stiff relative to other Formlabs materials. |
Note: After 1.5 years in storage, these resins may fail when printing
Specialty Resins
Specialty resins offer solutions for specific workflows that are somewhat uncommon.
| Name | Serial | Layer Height (micron) | Cost | Data, Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castable v2 | RS-GPCL-02 | 100, 50, 25 | $$$$ | Usage Guide | Use Formlabs Castable Resin to produce detailed fine jewelry through the investment casting process. Developed specifically with investment casting in mind, Castable Resin burns out cleanly with no ash or residue. |
| Dental LT Clear v1 | RS-F2-DLCL-01 | 100 | $$$$$ | Technical Data | Designed for hard splints and retainers with high resistance to fracture and wear. Class IIa biocompatible.* |
| Ceramic v1 | RS-F2-CEWH-01 | 100,50 | cost | Technical Data, Usage Guide | Ceramic Resin is a unique material in the Formlabs library. Ceramic is a composite resin engineered for the Form 2. Ceramic is intended to be fired in a kiln or furnace, where the polymer matrix burns away and the model transforms into a silica ceramic part. By 3D printing with Ceramic Resin, you can create complex ceramic objects that would be impossible to cast. |
Note: After 1.5 years in storage, these resins may fail when printing
*Terrapin Works cannot guarantee any level of biocompatibility with parts made in our labs
Maintenance & Care Items
General Resins, Tank and Cartridge care
- Shake stored resin cartridges approximately every 2 weeks
- Check resins older than 2 years for signs of deterioration
- DO NOT store resins in a resin tank for more than 6 months - pour into a separate container
- Protect ID chips on cartridges and tanks
- If needed, use a cotton swab dipped in IPA to clean ID chip contacts
Before Printing
- Shake the cartridge if it has not been moved in >2 weeks
- Check resins older than 2 years for signs of deterioration
- Slide the wiper across the bottom of the tank to stir up the resin
- Inspect the tank for evidence of excessive wear or other issues
- Inspect the build platform for damage
For Long Term Storage (>= 6 months)
- Pour resin in tank into a separate opaque HDPE or Polypropylene container
- Cover the resin tank and store items in a cool, dry location away from sunlight
Disposal of Resin, Tanks, Cartridges, or Other Waste
- All resin waste of any time MUST be fully cured before disposal
- Expose to sunlight for several days/weeks OR use 405nm light with heat for most effective curing
- Resin from cartridges should be poured into a resin-compatible clear container, then cured
- Cartridges should then be rinsed with IPA, and this IPA added to solvent disposal stream (same as Form Wash disposal)
- Cartridges can then be thrown in general waste
See more resources on the Formlabs Website
- Resin Care
- Resin version history
- Choosing the right material
- Technical and SDS sheets
- Form Cure settings
Why would I use the Formlabs Form 2?
See benefits and drawbacks of SLA for additive manufacturing.