Formlabs Factory Solutions Debuts

Formlabs unveils a new enterprise focused product offering: Formlabs Factory Solutions. In a comprehensive package, manufacturing firms can bring together all that Formlabs does: a combination of 3D printing hardware, software and materials designed to drive additive manufacturing adoption at your business, the company reports.

Formlabs Factory Solutions is designed to offer a custom manufacturing solution. The company is combining three solutions into one offering: a custom factory package; custom material development; and Formlabs consulting.

The backbone of Factory Solutions, 3D printer packages are intended for production of 10,000 or more parts per year. Scaling can be done efficiently with the Form 3, from 10 printers in a room to 100 printers spread across the factory, Formlabs says. The Factory Solutions Team will guide users every step of the way to tailor the perfect Factory Package for desired production targets.

Regarding custom material development, Formlabs says it can create a new material with properties like tear strength, tensile strength and elongation tailored for an application.

New Balance’s TripleCell technology is an example of a high-performing product made possible by partnering with Formlabs, the company says. To meet New Balance’s exacting demands for performance and durability, Formlabs formulated Rebound Resin, a completely new 3D printing material.

Formlabs worked closely with New Balance from beginning to end. From preliminary R&D and iteration through hundreds of exploratory material formulations, Formlabs developed new production workflows so New Balance could affordably manufacture customized components at scale with Rebound Resin. This included custom software features, on-site support and dedicated supply chains.

Formlabs formulated Rebound Resin, a completely new 3D printing material, for New Balance for one of its performance shoes. Image courtesy of Formlabs.

Consulting Services

The Factory Solutions team can help customers build, set up and launch a tailored 3D printing factory. Multidisciplinary experts will work alongside your team from product ideation to print optimization and production implementation. 

At the beginning of the project, Formlabs can deliver an immersive additive manufacturing workshop to inspire the team. The Formlabs team can also deliver a product development sprint to identify specific product ideas and business cases for 3D printed products.

The company's technical team can help customers perfect the part file for additive manufacturing or optimize prints to increase the yield per printer and reduce the cost per part. Or, have Formlabs create a project feasibility & business plan including expected ROI and breakeven points—with ongoing project management and support.

Free Report

To launch alongside Formlabs Factory Solutions, the company's team created a free report on how it evaluates additive manufacturing opportunities. The report includes lessons from a decade of helping manufacturers adopt 3D printing, how to really assess costs associated with additive manufacturing, how to evaluate revenue opportunities and more.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.