Everything we like about the Form 4, but bigger.
Tom’s Hardware Verdict
Formlabs Form 4L pairs decent resolution with insane precision to make exceptional prints at a massive scale. It has “paint by numbers” simplicity, speed, and smart sensors to guide your prints. Though we normally aren’t fans of a closed ecosystem, Formlabs gives users plenty of material options from affordable prototyping to engineering and medical-grade resins. This machine isn’t just a business tool, it’s a partner.
Pros
- +
Excellent resolution
- +
Perfect prints
- +
Graphic interface explains every move
- +
Built-in camera
- +
Sensors galore
Cons
- –
Expensive
- –
Must use Formlabs materials
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The Formlabs Form 4L is the industrial-size big brother of the Form 4, capable of printing massive resin prints with speed and astounding accuracy. The only thing that’s difficult about this machine is getting it physically into your workshop, which requires a hand truck and a few strong backs.
I should note right away that the Formlabs Form 4L is not a consumer-grade machine, but an industrial behemoth with an industrial price tag of $9,999 for a bundle that includes all the basics. Though this is far out of reach of our normal readers, I think it’s fascinating to see what 3D printers can do when you loosen up the cash flow.
This was probably the most daunting machine I’ve reviewed, right up there with the mammoth Elegoo Orange Storm Giga. It arrived by freight truck on three pallets. Since you simply can not operate a Form 4L on its own, we got the whole enchilada with massive wash and cure stations as well. Due to the size and considerable expense of this unit, Formlabs extended us the courtesy of a loaner machine for this review.
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Like the Formlabs 4 before it, you need to stay within the company’s admittedly generous ecosystem, which is actually a perk rather than a punishment. The resin is custom-made to perform with its machines, which takes all the guesswork out of the equation. All you have to do is follow the directions on the slicer and check all the boxes on the print screen to get a good print. The resin and vats are tagged with RFID stickers to make sure the computer knows what slicer profiles to offer and also maintains an inventory list.