Formlabs

Formlabs
Company type	Private
Industry	3D printing
Founded	September 2011; 15 years ago
Founder	Maxim Lobovsky, David Cranor, Natan Linder
Headquarters	Somerville, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Products	3D printers (Form 1, Form 2, Form Cell, Form 3, Form 4 series, Form Auto, Fuse 1, Fuse 1+), software (PreForm), consumables
Website	formlabs.com

Formlabs is a company specializing in the development and production of 3D printing technologies, headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts. Established in September 2011 by three students from the MIT Media Lab—Maxim Lobovsky, David Cranor, and Natan Linder—the firm creates and manufactures 3D printers, accompanying software, and related consumables. The company began with nearly $3 million raised through a Kickstarter campaign and has since introduced a range of products including the Form 1, Form 2, Form Cell, the Form 3 and Form 4 series, Form Auto, Fuse 1, and Fuse 1+ printers, which utilize stereolithography and selective laser sintering methods.

History

Formlabs was founded by Maxim Lobovsky, Natan Linder, and David Cranor after meeting at the MIT Media Lab during a course titled "How to Make (almost) Anything." Their involvement with MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms Fab Lab program and Lobovsky’s prior work on the Fab@Home project at Cornell significantly shaped their entrepreneurial approach.

The founders set out to create the first desktop stereolithography 3D printer that was both accessible and affordable for users. Early-stage financing came from notable investors including Mitch Kapor, Joi Ito, and Eric Schmidt’s Innovation Endeavors.

In November 2012, Formlabs encountered a patent infringement suit filed by industry leader 3D Systems, concerning stereolithography technology incorporated in the Form 1 printer. The dispute was resolved with a settlement in 2014.

By October 2013, the company had secured $19 million in Series A funding led by DFJ Growth, with additional contributions from Pitango Venture Capital and previous backers.

To broaden its international reach, Formlabs opened a European branch in Berlin in 2015. That August, Michael Sorkin, co-founder of iGo3D, took on the role of managing director for the European office.

In August 2016, Formlabs completed a $35 million Series B funding round led by Foundry Group. This was followed in April 2018 by a $30 million Series C investment led by Tyche Partners, with participation from Shenzhen Capital Group to support product development and expansion into Asian markets.

By August 2018, an additional $15 million was raised from New Enterprise Associates, elevating the company’s valuation beyond $1 billion and bringing former GE CEO Jeff Immelt onto its board.

A significant $150 million Series E financing round led by the Softbank Vision Fund 2 in May 2021 doubled Formlabs’ valuation to $2 billion.

In September 2024, Ford Motor Company utilized Formlabs’ 3D printing technology for prototyping components of its forthcoming Electric Explorer SUV, underscoring the company's growing impact on automotive manufacturing.

Form 1

The initial product offering from Formlabs, the Form 1 printer, was introduced in October 2012 through a Kickstarter campaign that amassed an unprecedented $2.95 million—ranking among the most successful crowdfunding efforts at that time. Although production delays occurred, shipments to supporters commenced in May 2013. The Form 1 employed stereolithography technology by solidifying liquid resin with laser light, delivering this advanced process within a compact and cost-effective desktop device compared to traditional large-scale machines.

Form 1+

Formlabs released the Form 1+ on June 10, 2014, as an improved iteration boasting faster printing speeds, superior print resolution, and increased reliability. Production of this model ceased on March 15, 2017.

Form 2

Revealed on September 22, 2015, the Form 2 introduced a larger build area alongside an integrated wiper mechanism. It marked a shift from the manual resin bottle pouring method of earlier versions to a cartridge-based resin delivery system. Additionally, the printer supports third-party resins through its Open Mode feature. In 2019, Tom's Guide honored the Form 2 as the Best Resin Printer. The model is planned for discontinuation in 2023.

Form Wash and Form Cure

On May 5, 2017, Formlabs launched two complementary devices for the Form 2 SLA printer: the Form Wash and Form Cure. The Form Wash automates the cleaning of uncured resin from printed parts by agitating them in isopropyl alcohol using an impeller system. The Form Cure serves as an ultraviolet post-curing unit that heats components up to 80°C while exposing them to thirteen 405 nm UV LEDs, thereby enhancing their durability and surface finish.

Fuse 1

Introduced on June 5, 2017, the Fuse 1 is a selective laser sintering (SLS) printer that features a build volume larger than that of the Form series. It incorporates a detachable build chamber and utilizes nylon powder as its printing medium. This product marked Formlabs’ entry into industrial-grade SLS technology.

Form 3, Form 3B, Form 3L and Form 3BL

On April 2, 2019, Formlabs announced its fourth-generation SLA printers: the Form 3 and Form 3L. Designed primarily for professionals in design and art sectors, these models debuted Low Force Stereolithography (LFS) technology, which delivers smoother finishes and enhanced detail precision. The Form 3L provides a build volume five times greater than the Form 3 while sharing its advanced optical system. Modular components combined with built-in sensors facilitate easier maintenance and improve print success rates. The Mediahq recognized the Form 3 series as Best Resin Printer of 2019.

Later that year, on November 12, the company introduced the Form 3B—a dental-specific variant compatible with specialized dental resins—broadening its presence in healthcare manufacturing. Early releases of the Form 3 also support dental materials.

In 2020, the Form 3BL merged the expansive platform size of the Form 3L with dental material compatibility from the Form 3B to serve large-scale dental applications.

At CES in 2022, upgraded versions named the Form 3+ and Form 3B+ were unveiled. These models feature enhanced laser stability, improved temperature control and monitoring within the build chamber, true light touch support structures, and a new flexible stainless steel build platform designed to ease part removal—further solidifying their leadership in SLA printing technology.

Form Cell

Formlabs introduced the Form Cell on June 5, 2017—an automated digital manufacturing system that integrates multiple Form 2 printers with a Form Wash unit and a robotic gantry for material handling. This setup enables continuous operation around the clock, significantly boosting production efficiency.

PreForm

PreForm is complimentary software provided by Formlabs that prepares digital models for printing across its printer lineup—including models from the original Form 1 through to the Fuse 1. It automates critical steps such as optimal model orientation and support generation to streamline workflow and enhance print reliability.

Nasopharyngeal Swabs

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020, Formlabs partnered with Northwell Health and the University of South Florida to create FDA Class I Exempt biocompatible nasopharyngeal swabs using 3D printing technology. Their Ohio manufacturing site was capable of producing as many as 150,000 swabs each day, while affiliated hospitals utilized their own printers to produce supplementary swabs, showcasing swift innovation and adaptability to urgent market demands.

Form Auto

At CES 2023, Formlabs revealed the Form Auto, an advanced iteration of the Form Cell initiative. This automated system enhances the Form 3 printer by enabling remote cover opening, print initiation, and build platform clearing, thereby streamlining and optimizing production workflows.

Form 4 and Form 4B

On April 17, 2024, Formlabs introduced the Form 4, its fourth-generation printer distinguished by an LCD screen replacing the lasers used in earlier versions, resulting in improved speed and accuracy. Concurrently, the Form 4B was launched targeting dental and medical sectors with Low Force Display (LFD) technology that integrates a customized LCD, multiple optical elements, and a composite film tank to accelerate printing while maintaining high standards of quality and dependability.

Form 4L

Formlabs debuted the Form 4L on October 17, 2024, marking its newest large-format SLA printer. This model is the company's first to utilize an LCD screen instead of laser technology, enhancing printing velocity and efficiency. It also features a developer platform designed to facilitate tailored material use and workflow customization for specialized applications.

Documentary

Formlabs is prominently featured in Print the Legend, a documentary focusing on prominent desktop 3D printer manufacturers. The film premiered at SXSW in March 2014 and later became available globally via Netflix in September 2014.

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