FormLabs

Moldmaking with desktop 3D printing allows engineers and designers to get much more functionality from their 3D printer, beyond prototyping alone. Moldmaking opens a world of production materials and provides the ability to produce short-run batches and test mold designs prior to committing to expensive tooling. Download an educational White Paper from Formlabs to learn about mold making strategies including injection molding, thermoforming and casting elastomers. Just complete the form below and you will gain access to the White Paper.

Formlabs recently announced their latest material – Elastic Resin and this article will take a closer look at it. Soft silicone and urethane parts are typically produced through moldmaking. These materials must be both highly elastic and strong. 3D printing them was once only possible on expensive industrial machine, but with Elastic Resin, companies can now simulate molded silicone, making it possible to print soft, resilient prototypes right on the desktop. Elastic resin is Formlabs' most pliable material with a shore durometer of 50A and an Elongation of 160%. Due to its high elongation excellent tear strength, parts printed with [...]

Formlabs is pleased to announce the latest formulation of High Temp Resin, part of their library of Engineering Resins for the Form 2 desktop stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer. High Temp Resin offers the highest heat deflection temperature (HDT) among Formlabs resins and is suitable for printing detailed, precise parts with high thermal stability. The new formulation, shipping now, has an HDT of 238 °C @ 0.45 MPa and improved elongation to decrease brittleness. Over the course of the last year since Formlabs first released this material, they talked with a variety of engineers and product designers using it to better [...]

Razor manufacturer Gillette is piloting its Razor Maker™ concept—a platform that serves as one of the first examples of direct-to-consumer, end-use 3D printed parts. Using Formlabs Form 2 3D printers as its production engine, Razor Maker™ gives consumers the power to create and order customized 3D printed razor handles, with the choice of 48 different designs (and counting), a variety of colors, and the option to add custom text. “Our partnership with Formlabs, and the power of their 3D printers, enable consumers to have a say on how their razors should look. We are excited to work with our Boston [...]

Castable Wax Resin, the newest addition to the Formlabs library of Jewelry Resins for 3D printing, is now shipping. This wax-filled material is designed for reliable direct investment casting with zero ash content and clean burnout. Printed parts are suitable for both custom try-ons and final production. It combines sharp accuracy, smooth surface finish, and high green strength, making it our best all-around material for direct investment casting. The way jewelers work is changing and castable photopolymer resins are leading the way. From independent designers concepting and prototyping in their studios, to casting houses increasing capacity and diversifying their offerings, [...]

Father Helps Son With Cerebral Palsy Walk With Custom 3D Printed Orthosis Seven years ago, Matej’s and Mateja’s son Nik was born one month prematurely. Due to difficulties during childbirth, he suffered severe brain damage that led to cerebral palsy. Despite the grim initial outlook, Nik was tremendously motivated to be mobile, but the symptoms of his condition prevented him from standing or walking on his own. Matej set out with a simple goal: to enable Nik to walk. Months of research and development followed, resulting in a custom-made, 3D printed orthosis that provides support and correction exactly where Nik [...]