# Form 2 LIfespan
**URL:** https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121
**Category:** General Discussion
**Created:** [September 24, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121 "2017-09-24T18:48:40Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@RenkFasze](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/RenkFasze)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/1 "2017-09-24T18:48:40Z")
Anyone have an idea of how long a Form 2 typically lasts?
I understand this is a very multifaceted question but I’m curious to know anyone who has a rough idea of how many hours of life to expect from the laser or how many liters can be run through the machine before maint or repairs are required.
I use mine a good amount…or at least I think I do. My prints are generally smaller but I run almost primarily in the highest definition and have yet to run into any problems.
I’m guessing I have a round 400 hrs of run time racked up already.
Would be great to know if there is an hour tally some place as well.
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### Author:  [@gholson2](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/gholson2)
#### Post date: [September 25, 2017, 8:59am UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/2 "2017-09-25T08:59:48Z")
I have no where near that time, maybe 4 liters through it. Made about 300 bucks so far from the machine. Haven’t done anything but clean it, make sure no dust is on it at all
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### Author:  [@RenkFasze](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/RenkFasze)
#### Post date: [September 25, 2017, 11:21am UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/3 "2017-09-25T11:21:48Z")
Same, I just keep mine covered and powered down when by in use. Extremely careful when installing/removing vats and platforms. Also don’t leave the unit without a vat installed for more that a minute or two.
Have put a small amount of Super Lube on the Z axis here and there but other than that I haven’t done anything.
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### Author:  [@Komy](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/Komy)
#### Post date: [September 25, 2017, 1:07pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/4 "2017-09-25T13:07:26Z")
what type of lube and when to do that? At least that is not problem? after 2 liters ? 5? 10 ?
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### Author:  [@RenkFasze](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/RenkFasze)
#### Post date: [September 25, 2017, 2:55pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/5 "2017-09-25T14:55:16Z")
Honestly I’m not even sure if its recommended, I’ve just been around 3D printers enough to see moving parts and want to keep them lubed.
I’m careful not to over-grease and I always wipe away the old before applying the new as well as taking care to not get grease where it shouldn’t be.
I’ve always been a fan of using this synthetic PTFE Lube:
> **[Amazon.com: Synco Chemical 41150 Synthetic Grease, 400-gm.: Home Improvement](https://www.amazon.com/Super-Lube-41150-Synthetic-Cartridge/dp/B00GVKBQHY/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1506350456&sr=8-7&keywords=super+lube)**
>
> Super Lube, 400 Gram Cartridge, Multi-Purpose Synthetic Grease, With Syncolon PTFR, Synthetic, Synthetic Base Fluids & The Addition Of PTFE Micro Powders Combine To Form A Premium Lubricant That Provi ...
As I’m still not sure if this is even recommended - If Formlabs could weigh in on this that would be great, not trying to mislead anyone…
That aside, I’ve lightly lube twice in roughly 350-400hrs of run time. Usually taking note and cleaning/applying when the lube gets dark.
Personally I would see running time as a better indicator of when to do this vs how many liters have run through the machine.
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### Author:  [@flyer4food](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/flyer4food)
#### Post date: [September 26, 2017, 7:14pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/6 "2017-09-26T19:14:01Z")
I had exactly the same question, curious to hear other’s experience.
I have had my Form 2 for only 2 weeks but I’ve run it probably 20 hours a day… and I am already nervous about how long the wear is likely to be on all these moving parts.
So far PERFECT performance. Amazing for such a complicated machine.
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### Author:  [@fantasy2](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/fantasy2)
#### Post date: [September 26, 2017, 9:01pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/7 "2017-09-26T21:01:57Z")
I have a form 2 for little over a year now. Running it for about 30 hours a week. So that’s 1600 hours? Only had to grease the spindle so far.
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### Author:  [@gjgomes](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/gjgomes)
#### Post date: [September 26, 2017, 9:51pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/8 "2017-09-26T21:51:42Z")
If you have been connected to Dashboard you can download the CSV file and sum up Column G “Elapsed Print Time” and convert to hours (in ms by default). Mine is at 1500 hours and as far as I can tell is going strong. I haven’t done any maintenance other than changing out resin tanks and filtering resin.
This file also allows you to calculate total volume of resin used (estimated) and number of layers of printed.
So to answer your question, I have no idea, but be sure to keep an eye out as people keep using them.
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### Author:  [@kevinduhe](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/kevinduhe)
#### Post date: [September 26, 2017, 11:06pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/9 "2017-09-26T23:06:48Z")
I have 166 prints completed with a total running time of 1369.82 hours. Other than wiping down my glass once with pec pads because of a drop of resin, I have not had to do any sort of maintenance to it.
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### Author:  [@RenkFasze](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/RenkFasze)
#### Post date: [September 26, 2017, 11:39pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/10 "2017-09-26T23:39:42Z")
Awesome, thanks - Had no idea that functions was available. I pulled the data (had to convert from milliseconds to hrs) and came up with 343hrs.
I know the last three prints (pretty long ones) Dash board wasn’t connected so in total the machine has pretty close to 400 hrs.
Kevin - Thats fantastic. Incredible amount of run time: )
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### Author:  [@fantasy2](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/fantasy2)
#### Post date: [September 27, 2017, 12:05pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/11 "2017-09-27T12:05:36Z")
Ohhh, stats, fun!!
1473.9 hours
253321 layers
12.95 liters
🙂
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### Author:  [@rodrigo\_antonio](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/rodrigo_antonio)
#### Post date: [September 27, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/12 "2017-09-27T19:35:05Z")
I also have this curiosity of durability I already used 4 liters I think the leiser and of great durability I think the most delectable would be the step-by-step mechanics engines.
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### Author:  [@RenkFasze](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/RenkFasze)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2017, 12:18pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/13 "2017-09-28T12:18:21Z")
Not sure I quite understand what you are asking.
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### Author:  [@ScottBarbour](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/ScottBarbour)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2017, 1:49pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/14 "2017-09-28T13:49:28Z")
Where do you get the CSV file? I can’t seem to find it.
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### Author:  [@RenkFasze](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/RenkFasze)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2017, 2:04pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/15 "2017-09-28T14:04:35Z")
Select printer - then Prints - ‘Export Data’ middle top
Hopefully the screenshot worked
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### Author:  [@ScottBarbour](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/ScottBarbour)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2017, 2:25pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/16 "2017-09-28T14:25:13Z")
Thanks, I was looking under Printers.
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### Author:  [@David\_Maillot](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/David_Maillot)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2017, 2:48pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/17 "2017-09-28T14:48:05Z")
If I am correct I am close to 83 days…
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### Author:  [@RenkFasze](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/RenkFasze)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2017, 3:54pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/18 "2017-09-28T15:54:41Z")
Not sure if you are running a formula to convert. All I did was add all the values in the ms column and did a conversion from ms to hrs.
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### Author:  [@ScottBarbour](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/ScottBarbour)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2017, 3:54pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/19 "2017-09-28T15:54:52Z")
I’m at 626 hours for one printer and 225 for the other.
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### Author:  [@David\_Maillot](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/David_Maillot)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2017, 4:19pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/form-2-lifespan/15121/20 "2017-09-28T16:19:22Z")
i double checked ,7165926555ms=82,93896475694days
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