Formlabs

Formlabs sells 3D printers with related material and software as well as post-processing solutions for rapid prototyping, rapid tooling, manufacturing aids, models and props, and end-use parts production. The company targets engineering and product design, manufacturing, research and education (for on-demand experimentation), model making and entertainment, jewelry, dental, and medical applications. 

Formlabs’ 3D printers include a range of off-the-shelf desktop printers and industrial printers (Form 3 range and Fuse range). The company also provides tailored AM solutions depending on the factory setting for scaled operations. Its software PreForm functions through automatic algorithms that allow any employee to print without being specially trained and includes a dashboard to manage printers, material movement, and teams in one place. The company’s post-processing solutions automate the rinsing and post-curing processes, which are capable of handling large parts and high-volume production. In January 2023, Formlabs launched the “Automation Ecosystem” comprising three new products, 1) Form Auto, 2) High Volume Resin hardware packages, and 3) fleet control software. In September 2023, Formlabs launched an open material platform allowing access to third-party materials, customizable print settings, and open material printing.  

Formlabs uses technologies like low-force stereolithography (LFS) and selective laser sintering (SLS), which leverage various types of resins and nylon powder. In February 2024, the company released the beta version of “Formlabs Texture Engine," a tool that enables users to apply textures and patterns to 3D models in preparation for printing. Users can import their CAD models into the engine, apply a displacement map to the model to define and apply the required texture, and import the model back into the CAD tool for a final review or immediate 3D printing.

In April 2024, the company released a new 3D printer named Form 4 to handle rapid and large-scale 3D printing projects. The system leverages low force display (LFD) technology to cure the parts at higher speeds (up to 100 mm per hour). Additionally, the company also launched the biocompatible version of Form 4, Form 4B, that leverages stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing technology. The company went on to launch two new entries into this series (Form 4L and Form 4BL) In October 2024. Form 4L features a build volume nearly 5x larger than Form 4, print speeds of up to 80 mm/hour, and compatibility with over 23 materials

In July 2024, Formlabs acquired Micronics, a 3D printer startup, for an undisclosed amount to integrate the latter’s team into its own to leverage its expertise in developing SLS 3D printers.

In September 2024, the company introduced a series of new materials for a variety of applications. These include: 1) Polypropylene Powder and Premium Teeth Resin (January), 2) BEGO TriniQ Resin (September), which enables permanent and provisional restorations for dental applications, 3) a new clear cast resin (September), which offers accuracy within 0.25 mm for investment casting applications, and 4) the “Creator Series” of resins designed for hobbyist-grade LCD and DLP 3D printers.  

Key customers and partnerships

Formlabs’ customers, including Google, Ford, New Balance, Dame, TaylorMade, Gillette, and the US Naval Academy, have printed over 40 million parts as of May 2022. The company also operates through a network of over 50 ambassadors from 13 countries (as of May 2022) that use Formlabs products.

In October 2022, Formlabs partnered with 3DPrinterOS to bring 3D printer fleet management and cloud support capabilities to Formlabs’ printers. In May 2023, Formlabs partnered with Hawk Ridge Systems to expand access to its 3D printing solutions in North America and MLC CAD Systems to further expand its presence in the US market.