Last updated on 21 Feb 2023
This is the Standard Operating Procedure for the Machine Agency Formlabs Form 3B printer. For questions about this machine, contact the machine manager.
- Author: Danli Luo
- PI: Nadya Peek
- Shop Safety Coordinator: Nadya Peek
| #1 Process (if applicable) | This set of machines 3D-prints and post-processes your model with high resolution |
| #2 Equipment | Stereolithography 3D printer and finishing kit |
| #3 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) | Gloves |
| #4 Environmental/Ventilation controls | Form wash solvent needs to be collected and recycled by scheduling chemical pick-up with EH&S. |
| #5 Required training or approval | must be trained by machine manager and approved by PI |
| #6 Inspection requirements before use | must be trained by machine manager and approved by PI |
| #7 Safe operating procedures or precautions | Do not leave the machine unattended until you have ensured that the first layer has adhered properly to the print bed. See detailed instructions below |
| #8 Chemicals/ spill procedures/waste disposal | Any spill should be contained by a chemical spill kit. |
Machine Manager: Danli Luo, danlil@uw.edu
Machine Location: Machine Agency Shop, Sieg 112
Description: Formlabs Form 3B stereolithography printer, Form Wash & Form Cure automated post-processing kit are covered in this SOP.
Who can use the machine: People who have been trained by the machine manager and are documented in the machine training spreadsheet.
How to get access: email machine manager (danlil@uw.edu, Discord: @danli) to get training. Reading this document before scheduling a training would be greatly appreciated and helpful and you are expected to ask questions!
How to get your access revoked: Improper disposal of any printing materials or washing solvents.
- This is one of the machines that you can operate alone. Be responsible for your print and clean after you finish.
- Always wear gloves when handling resin and washing solvent
- Read this whole SOP before using the machine for the first time
- This machine uses a highly volatile solvent to post-process the printed parts. You’ll need appropriate EH&S trainings before we know that you can keep yourself safe from any health and physical hazard.
If you have questions about acceptable materials, contact the machine manager. They can add additional materials to this list if needed.
Only compatible Form 3 cartridges can be installed on this machine. Visit this website for more information.
- Anything you cook in your kitchen
- Anything you mix up in your garage
- Anything that is not Form 3 compatible
- However, printing customized resin is possible with some tweaking. Contact machine manager if you wish to print rare but exciting materials.
A thorough introduction to the Formlabs 3 is available online and there are tons of detailed procedures for operating the machine. It is a good resource for first-time users.
- Wear gloves and eye protection in case of a spill or allergic reaction to the resin.
- Follow design specifications and adjust your models if needed.
- Prepare your model and slice it with the latest version of Preform.
- Select or manually add a printer in PreForm.
- Match PreForm consumables (resin tank, resin cartridge) to consumables inserted in printer or vice versa.
- Send the print job from PreForm to the printer.
- Once transferred from PreForm to the printer, start the print from the printer. The machine needs to be primed. This step can go before #5 and it takes about two minutes. Go to the home screen on the printer and click ‘Prime’. Follow the instructions on the screen.
Wear gloves and goggles during the entire time of this step except when you need to touch the printer. Never touch the outside of the printer (lid, screen, resin cartridge) with gloved hands.
Have some paper towels or wet tissues by your hands. They are very handy when you try to place your print temporarily on a work surface.
Washing residual resin off and curing the print in the UV box is a big step and could get really messy. Since Machine Agency is not equipped with fume hood, we do not have the automated Form Wash set-up and ready to use. Instead, you'll have to wash your print manually with a squirt bottle in a dedicated container.
The container underneath the squirt bottle is a bath of 99% IPA, in which you can rinse and wash your print. However, it is not an airtight container and IPA evaporates easily. Pour just enough IPA for your print and be sure to close the lid after you use the bath.
A scraper, a pair of tweezers, and a pair of scissors are next to the washing containers. These tools help you remove the print from the bed, remove the support, etc.
If you need a refill of IPA, it is stored in the yellow fire cabinet next door (note that the location of the fire cabinet has changed in the past, it might change again but it will always be in Sieg 112/118).
Do's and Don'ts
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Use only 99% IPA. If you need to use other kinds of solvent to wash your print, talk to the machine manager first.
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Never leave fresh prints (before subjected to post-curing) on any work surface. If you stain any surface with uncured resin, clean it immediately with IPA on paper towels. Uncleaned resin will eventually cure and irreversibly stay there forever.
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The solvent in the bath contains traces of uncured resin as well. If you spill any of the solvent in the bath, wipe it with a paper towel immediately.
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Whenever you need to touch the printer on the outside, remove the glove.
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Once you thoroughly wash your print, pat the surface dry or let the IPA evaporate in air.
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With bare hand, lift the door of Form Cure. With gloved hand, put your print(s) in. With bare hand, press and turn the knob to choose the desired temperature and time for post-curing. The rule of thumb is that you should not touch your print before it is subjected to post-curing, and you should not touch the machine with gloved hands.
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Take your print out and examine it carefully. If it is not completely cured, run another cycle. Change temperature and time accordingly.
- Take off your print(s). Use plastic tools to help scrape off the print carefully. Do not use any sharp and metal tools against the build platform.
- If the build platform is not in touch with anything, put it back. Otherwise use Form wash to clean the surface.
- Close all lids on all machines! If you don’t, the resin will cure and attract dust, the washing solvent will evaporate, and who knows what will happen to the UV lightbox.
Documentation link: https://support.formlabs.com/s/topic/0TO1Y000000IvrVWAS/form-3?language=en_US