The project of high-resolution 3D-printer Form 1 from FormLabs on Kickstarter

FormLabs set an ambitious goal to make a breakthrough in the field of 3D printers and make a high-resolution printer (much higher than the existing ones) at an affordable price.
Practically all 3d-printers work on the “layer by layer” principle, only the technologies for creating layers differ, from powder to cutting out of paper sheets. Problems with the resolution of the details associated with the minimum possible layer thickness.

This printer works on the principle of laser stereolithography , when a laser with the desired wavelength "draws" in liquid plastic the necessary detail layer by layer. Part of the plastic, which illuminated the laser beam, hardens.

On the Kickstarter project page, the company provides exciting comparative photos - the products of a kind of “standard” FDM printer and the products of their offspring. Impressive indeed.
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Printer specifications are as follows:
- maximum size of the part: 125 x 125 x 165 mm
- layer thickness: 25 microns
- detail on the layer: 300 microns

The thickness of the layer is 4 times less than that of Replicator 2, about which they recently wrote .

Of course, complete with a printer promise simple and convenient software for creating, editing and preparing models. And who will promise uncomfortable software, right? ..

Together with the first printers, the creators promise to sell neutral gray plastic for models. In the future, they plan to add materials of other colors, different transparency and flexibility.



Printers from the first batch of developers promise to those who donate at least $ 2,300 to the project - apparently, this amount can be considered the cost of the printer, since they do not write about this directly in the text. By the way, this offer on the kickstarter has already been completely exhausted.

Being on a kickstarter for two days, the project has already donated $ 700,000, which is 7 times more than the original $ 100,000 goal. I think the developers are already drinking champagne and expect to raise a few million. Let's see what they get as a result.