Form 3: issues with printing and with connectivity

Support & Troubleshooting Form 3/3+
1

Two issues with my Form3

One is that prints started failing as if the resin ceased to attach after early (raft) layers.

For example, the printer says:

PXL_20260824_144651582
PXL_20260824_1446515821920×1440 290 KB

But on the platform I have

PXL_20260824_144715065
PXL_20260824_1447150651920×2560 804 KB

and it appears that there filaments of cured or partially cured resin in the tank:

PXL_20260824_150625864
PXL_20260824_1506258641920×1440 326 KB

This happens with at least three tanks and two resins.

I ran all calibrations (platform, mixer, resin level sensor) and I am now running another print, but if it still fails in the same way, do you have any suggestions?

The second issue is that the printer is accessed over the network (a pretty big one, it is my workplace not a private home) and suddenly Preform stopped seeing that printer. Preform can see two other Formlabs printers on the network, my printer shows connected and I can successfully ping it from the PC on which I have PreForm. Any ideas?

2

This immediately makes me think that you either:

  1. Have an issue with your UV curing panel, and it needs replacing/repair. I’m betting on this, unfortunately.

OR

  1. You have the wrong settings for the resin being utilized. Having that happen back to back with two different resins is not likely, but not impossible. Can you verify the settings for us?
3

The settings should be fine, I mean I thought the printer reads them off the resin canister, and tracks which resin the tank was used with. Is there a way in which I could mess this up?

Is UV curing panel replaceable by a moderately technically skilled person? If yes, where do i buy one?

4

Doing it that way? No. Should be fine. I think you’re good there, I just wanted to confirm.

Then it’s probably the light panel… And yes - it should be replaceable by a normal, tech-focused individual. If you could replace a laptop battery, you could probably replace the light panel. It’s… pretty expensive though. For the Form 3, you are looking at ~$800 - so let’s try to confirm that first. Might still just be something odd/easy, like an unlevel tank or feet.

What happens if you just try to print a raft the size of the build plate without anything else on it? Does it come out good and even? Properly cured?

5

OK, I can do it overnight, currently I am printing something (and hoping that calibrations fixed the issue). And it seems that I solved my connectivity problem.

How do I make PreForm to print a big raft only? Or should I just design a plate the size of the build platform and print it without a raft?

And here is one more thing: I have a budget deadline tomorrow, if I do not order the panel by tomorrow (am ideally, US Eastern time), I may be unable to order it before October. So even if my today’s print fails (and especially if the overnight test raft fails), I would be inclined to buy the panel/

6

This will work just fine. Do that

You need to get a formlabs technician on the phone, TODAY, to confirm your issue. That’s a lot of money to spend without us being positive it’s the issue.

@Sophia_M Can you help this guy out?

7

Thank you.

I also submitted a support ticket Case #01512230

8

Thanks for flagging this! In urgent cases like this, opening a case with our support team is the best way to receive quick and in-depth help. I hope the issue gets resolved soon!