![]() ![]() The Form 2's print quality is superior to that of any 3D printers I've reviewed. Once the printer was releveled, the job automatically resumed and completed without a hitch. Once I deliberately tilted the printer during a job the printer paused the job immediately and prompted me via the touch screen to relevel it. In fact, it was very hard to mess up a print job, even when I tried. During a couple of weeks of testing, I never ran into a failed print. The Form 2's strength, however, is in its consistency and quality. This printer can make incredibly detailed objects. There's a huge collection of free 3D object models at Thingiverse that you can use, or you can make your own using software, such as SketchUp or Autodesk 123D. The Form 2 supports standard and popular 3D model files. As you pick a job, the screen even shows a preview image of the 3D object, making it very convenient to know what job you're selecting, in case you can't recognize it by name. ![]() You can always use the touchscreen to scroll between jobs to delete one or to print it again. The printer will retain the print jobs you've sent to it. Once that's done the printer will print on its own, without having to be connected to a computer. After that, you need to use the printer's touchscreen to select the job you want to print, then push the button to initialize the print process. Once the print command is invoked, depending on the size and complexity of the 3D model, the software takes anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes to transfer the data to the printer. Its interface consists of large and self-explanatory buttons that allow you to view and manipulate 3D model files. The PreForm software is very similar to that of most other printers I've reviewed. The printer's resin cartridge is well-designed and can be easily replaced. Not only that, but cleaning the tank is not recommended since you might accidentally scratch its bottom which will interfere with the laser beam during a print job. This is because you don't want to mix resin types and colors together (which would lead to undesirable print results) and since the resin is very sticky, it takes a long time to clean the parts. However, if you plan to print multiple types of resin, or resin of different colors, it's a better idea to get an extra resin tank (and even an extra print platform) for each resin type/color. If you just want to print one type of resin, there's no need to get an extra resin tank. The printer includes one print platform, one resin tank and one resin cartridge. During a print job, the printer automatically detects the type of resin and draws it from the cartridge to fill the resin tank before the print platform lowers itself into the tank as the base for the resin to adhere to. The Form2 is well-designed all of its parts snap into its body quite easily. Out of the box, you just need to open the hood, install the included print platform, resin tank (which is directly under the print platform) and resin cartridge the printer is now complete. ![]() This hood is attached to the printer, but you can easily open it up to access the inside. Like most SLA 3D printers, it has a large see-through orange plastic hood on top that keeps its resin tank from the the outside world during a print job. ![]() The Form 2 comes mostly preassembled and looks like a rectangle box standing upward. Windows 7 or later, Mac OS X 10.7 or later ![]()
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