[3D Printing] Formlabs Form Studio 1 | A New Standard in SLA 3D Printing

Form Studio 1 Unboxing Review: From Packing to First Startup

When you open the box, the first thing you see is a prominent box labeled "Start Here." Inside, you will find the setup guide.

Behind that box, instead of standard foam inserts, is a sturdy protective foam frame. After removing the printer and its protective packaging, connecting the power, and turning it on, subsequent settings are completed by following the touchscreen instructions.

External Design and Practical Touches

The Formlabs Form Studio 1 features an orange top cover, a gray rear chassis, and a translucent base. The overall design is reminiscent of the late 90s Game Boy or the early 2000s G3 iMac.

While the translucent design is primarily decorative, the pop-out toolbox is highly practical. The front cover can also be customized by printing your preferred pattern on it, allowing you to finish it with a look that is uniquely yours.

Hardware Design for Connectivity, Setup, and Daily Ease-of-Use

Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB-C Connectivity

The connection ports on the Form Studio 1 are consolidated on the back of the unit. One side houses the power port and toggle switch, while the other holds the Ethernet and USB-C ports, and Wi-Fi is built-in.

The USB-C port is particularly convenient as it supports full offline operation, including in environments physically isolated from the network. This allows for local operation without relying entirely on cloud connectivity.

Dimensions and Installation Space

The top cover opens upward, with the protruding front edge serving as a handle for opening and closing. The printer dimensions are approximately 50 cm (H) × 34 cm (W) × 32 cm (D), and the height when the top cover is fully opened is approximately 75 cm.

If you are installing it on a shelf or using a dedicated printer rack, you need to ensure space for the top cover to open. Dimensions with the cover closed do not reflect the space required for actual operation.

Automatic Resin Feed and VOC Purifier

The genuine resin bottle supplies resin through a mechanical valve and requires the cap to be opened during use to allow air intake. The system does not inject all the resin from the bottle at once, but rather feeds it in small, repeated amounts, which helps manage temperature and resin pressure.

The back of the unit also has a port for connecting the Formlabs VOC Purifier, which filters the air and recirculates it into the room.

The connection accessories themselves are nylon parts produced using Formlabs Fuse printers. This is an example of applying their own additive manufacturing technology to real products.

Build Platform and Camera: Enhancing Operability

Standard Platform and Flex Build Platform

The standard build platform for the Form Studio 1 features an aluminum build surface and a plastic body. Since only the build surface contacts the resin, it prevents resin from adhering to other areas.

The Flex Build Platform includes an additional flexible stainless steel plate. By pressing the lever on the corner of the platform, the plate bends outward, making it easier to remove printed parts.

Integrated Camera, Lighting, and Privacy Settings

The Form Studio 1 camera is equipped with lighting that can illuminate parts during printing. This system supports remote monitoring and downloading of timelapse footage.

Privacy settings are also available, allowing you to disable relevant functions if needed.

Resin Tank Selection and Long-Term Operational Costs

The Form Studio 1 comes with two types of resin tanks: the Standard Resin Tank and the Resin Tank Pro.

Both feature a plastic frame, a practical pour spout, and a spring-loaded mounting handle, making daily handling easy.

Differences Between Standard and Pro Resin Tanks

Neither resin tank supports user-replacement of the release film. This is primarily to ensure proper tension management and maintain more predictable print results.

Build Size, LPU Optical Module, and Heating System

While maintaining the platform size of the Form 4, the Form Studio 1 increases the build height, achieving the following build size:

Integrated Light Processing Unit (LPU)

Located in the base of the unit is the Light Processing Unit (LPU). It integrates the LCD and its surrounding heater frame into a replaceable module, which can be swapped out by removing the screws from the top.

The wavy top surface and side air channels help control separation forces. A heating function is also built-in and configurable.

This allows the Form Studio 1 to integrate material properties, temperature management, and optical systems, reducing the burden on users to adjust individual settings.

7-Inch Touchscreen and PreForm Print Workflow

Simple Daily Operations via Touchscreen

The 7-inch touchscreen makes initial setup and daily operations simple. Frequently used settings are consolidated at the top of the screen, and remaining print time and progress are clearly displayed.

Before starting a print, it checks that the build platform is clean, and confirms that the resin tank and platform are correctly installed and locked.

After printing, guidance for cleaning and curing based on the material used is displayed. Users can also send relevant information and photos to Formlabs through a print success rating system.

PreForm: From Model Preparation to One-Click Printing

The only slicer supported by the Form Studio 1 is PreForm. While slicer options are limited, this allows for high integration between hardware and software workflows.

Once the printer is ready, you simply click "Print" in PreForm, and the software handles slicing, data transmission, and job initiation. This reduces the repetitive exporting, transferring, and on-printer operations required in traditional workflows.

It also supports print job queue management, allowing jobs to be assigned to available machines set up with the correct materials, which is particularly useful for managing multiple units or 3D print farms.

Model Placement, Supports, and Warning Displays

In PreForm, you can move models by dragging them and rotate them using on-model controls. Holding the Shift key while operating allows for 15-degree increments, and you can also snap parts to the edge of the build platform.

When generating supports, you can set exposure levels for the model and supports independently. Optimized combinations of materials, supports, and print settings are also available, which help improve print success rates.

PreForm warning messages include practical tooltips and link to detailed support articles, making it easier to understand problems and their solutions.

Alpha Resin Series, Safety, and Open Material Mode

Launched alongside the Form Studio 1, the Alpha Resin Series includes general-purpose resin, model resin suitable for fine details, and the fastest resin currently available from Formlabs.

The Form Studio 1 has achieved UL GREENGUARD Gold certification when used with the Alpha resin series and the VOC purifier.

According to the source, the new Alpha resin series does not contain chemicals known to have acute toxicity or chemicals known to have long-term effects on organs or health. Additionally, skin irritation from the liquid resin is described as being comparable to common detergents.

Standard Built-in Open Material Mode

The Form Studio 1 comes with an open material mode as standard; there is no need to purchase an additional license to use third-party resins.

Print Quality and Anti-Aliasing with Supersampling

Print results from the Form Studio 1 are impressive. The displayed models feature smooth surfaces, sharp edges, and rich textural details.

How Does Supersampling Improve Model Surfaces?

One of the notable technologies in the Form Studio 1 is supersampling-based anti-aliasing.

Traditionally, in miniature printing and painting, even if details were well-reproduced, layer lines could often become visible after dry brushing or washes.

This system compares adjacent layers, recognizes curves and slopes based on pixel shifts, and selectively adjusts the degree of smoothing applied to the edges.

Rather than blurring everything uniformly, it smooths appropriate curves while maintaining sharp edges elsewhere.

Formlabs Post-Processing Equipment and Consistent Workflow

The Form Studio 1 can be used in conjunction with existing Formlabs post-processing equipment. Compatible devices include the Form Wash V2 (2nd Gen automatic cleaner) and the Form Cure V2 (120V UV secondary curing unit with temperature control).

Form Wash V2 and Form Cure V2

The Form Wash V2 lifts the platform or basket to drain liquid and closes the internal lid to suppress solvent evaporation.

With the Form Cure V2 120V, you can set curing time and temperature according to the material.

Form Studio Wash+Cure Integrated Cleaning and Curing Unit

If you are looking for a more affordable post-processing solution, the Form Studio Wash+Cure, which integrates resin cleaning and secondary curing, is another option.

It includes a cleaning bucket with an agitator and a turntable for UV curing, with manual selection for processing time.

Conclusion of the Review: A New Standard for Consumer Resin 3D Printing

In addition to excellent build results, the Form Studio 1 features a smooth workflow, robust user support, and software design focused on solving real-world challenges.

For miniature painters and statue hobbyists who value stable settings and want to minimize trial and error, the Formlabs Form Studio 1 is an option worth considering.

Even in 3D print farms, if the resin tank costs, build capacity of the platform, and time required for switching jobs align with business requirements, this workflow can be expected to improve actual production efficiency.