# Introducing Form 4L/4BL **URL:** \ **Category:** Formlabs News\ **Created:** [October 15, 2024, 1:00pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302 "2024-10-15T13:00:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![henryqiu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/henryqiu/32/21840_2.png) [@henryqiu](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/henryqiu)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 1:00pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/1 "2024-10-15T13:00:38Z")
Today, we’re excited to announce the next generation of our large-format resin 3D printers. Big parts, blazing fast. Form 4L has a 4.6x larger build volume than Form 4 for prototypes or high-throughput production parts that always fit. To tie it all together, Formlabs SLA and SLS ecosystems are now finally open. - _Solve big problems_ with large-scale parts. 4.6x larger build volume compared to Form 4 - _Speed at scale_. Large prints in _under 6 hours._ - Stunning parts that _always fit._ with ±0.15% XY dimensional tolerances. - _Tackle any problem_ with our industry-leading materials, or use Open Material Mode. - _Unmatched reliability._ Large format 3D printing you can depend on. - So intuitive that anyone can learn to print in 15 minutes. Learn more about Form 4L: [Form 4L: Blazing Fast Large-Format Resin 3D Printer | Formlabs](https://formlabs.com/3d-printers/form-4l/?utm_source=fl-forum&utm_medium=forum&utm_campaign=4l-launch-2024-10-15-global) Still have questions? Don’t hesitate to drop them below in this thread and we’ll be happy to answer them. ![Screenshot_2024-10-15_06.54.32@2x](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/formlabs/original/3X/e/7/e7cf8bf2faadedf1972860ba14ad787f490c7f6d.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![MattRForerunner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/mattrforerunner/32/20355_2.png) [@MattRForerunner](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/MattRForerunner)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 2:16pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/2 "2024-10-15T14:16:56Z")
Will the Form Wash L Universal Build Platform Adapter fit the Form 4L Build platform or is it only going to fit in the Gen2 Form WashL. We just started using the adapter and just Purchased the Form 4L so we are curious what other upgrades we will need. ---
**Author:** ![henryqiu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/henryqiu/32/21840_2.png) [@henryqiu](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/henryqiu)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 2:25pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/3 "2024-10-15T14:25:39Z")
Pinned on October 15, 2024, 2:25pm UTC ---
**Author:** ![henryqiu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/henryqiu/32/21840_2.png) [@henryqiu](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/henryqiu)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 2:31pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/4 "2024-10-15T14:31:23Z")
You should be all set! The Universal Build Platform Adapter will upgrade your Wash L (Generation 1) to be able to fit any Formlabs Build Platform, including the 4L Build Platform. ---
**Author:** ![BILLUCAS](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/billucas/32/17632_2.png) [@BILLUCAS](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/BILLUCAS)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 5:10pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/5 "2024-10-15T17:10:36Z")
Hi! For any current Form 3L series printer owners, will we have a Form 4L Loyalty Upgrade? And what will it be? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![eaglechen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@eaglechen](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/eaglechen)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 6:06pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/6 "2024-10-15T18:06:51Z")
Ok, this is on paper, the perfect printer for me in theory. Big volume, high surface finish, fast material swapping. If this printer can do everything Formlabs says it does reliably, I will buy 2 of these immediately. However, I am deeply deeply worried that this is essentially a scaled up version of Form 4, and essentially an amplifier of all of Form 4’s issues: [My experience with the Form 4(B) so far/ Semi-Review from a Semi-Industrial User Perspective](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/my-experience-with-the-form-4-b-so-far-semi-review-from-a-semi-industrial-user-perspective/38714) A 20-30K ecosystem is price similar with industrial DLP and polyjet systems. This would need to achieve those reliabilities to be worth it. Currently, the smaller Form 4 does not seem to able to achieve accuracy consistently. When you print this big and still using an inverted vat polymerization method, the peel forces, internal annealing forces of the material, etc. all amplify, and things like inaccuracies and warping of course increase. This is all not mentioning increased curing and post processing difficulties. Curious as to does 4L have any additional print setting development and mitigation compared to Form 4? Additionally, any way for anyone to order sample parts from 4L? ---
**Author:** ![gaozihan4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e8cbc/32.png) [@gaozihan4](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/gaozihan4)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 6:30pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/7 "2024-10-15T18:30:05Z")
Then the question is how soon will the Form 3L to be obsolete? ---
**Author:** ![henryqiu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/henryqiu/32/21840_2.png) [@henryqiu](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/henryqiu)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 6:46pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/8 "2024-10-15T18:46:23Z")
We plan to continue supporting and developing products for Form 3L and Form 3BL for the foreseeable future. Another product that launched today was General Purpose V4.1 Resins, which brings some of the better aesthetics of the General Purpose V5 Resins to Form 3/3L users. You can find more details [here](https://support.formlabs.com/s/article/Ongoing-support-for-the-Form-3-and-Form-3B?language=en_US) about our ongoing support for the Form 3 ecosystem. ---
**Author:** ![henryqiu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/henryqiu/32/21840_2.png) [@henryqiu](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/henryqiu)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 6:57pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/9 "2024-10-15T18:57:31Z")
Thank you for asking! Yes, we do have a Form 4L Loyalty Upgrade Program available for any Formlabs SLA customers. You can get $/€/£/CHF 2,500 towards materials and accessories when you upgrade to the new Form 4L or Form 4BL. You can find more details [here](https://3d.formlabs.com/Form-4L-Loyalty-Upgrade-Core-Global/). This offer is also available through any of our authorized resellers and partners, so feel free to reach out to them if that’s more convenient for you. ---
**Author:** ![jcalhoun66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a4c791/32.png) [@jcalhoun66](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/jcalhoun66)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 2:16pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/10 "2024-12-18T14:16:24Z")
Are you planning on adding a flexible build plate upgrade to make print removal easier and faster? ---
**Author:** ![henryqiu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/henryqiu/32/21840_2.png) [@henryqiu](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/henryqiu)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 2:30pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/11 "2024-12-18T14:30:05Z")
Hi @jcalhoun66, Yes the Build Platform Flex L is in the development and testing stages, but I don’t have a date that I can give you, other than soon! You’re gonna love it 🙂 Henry ---
**Author:** ![jcalhoun66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a4c791/32.png) [@jcalhoun66](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/jcalhoun66)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 7:16pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/12 "2024-12-18T19:16:20Z")
I have another question are the resin vat screens replaceable after there 75,000 layer lifespan. ---
**Author:** ![henryqiu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/henryqiu/32/21840_2.png) [@henryqiu](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/henryqiu)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 9:04pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/13 "2024-12-18T21:04:10Z")
The Resin Tank film is not replaceable, but the LCD screen in the LPU is replaceable. Which are you referring to? ---
**Author:** ![jcalhoun66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a4c791/32.png) [@jcalhoun66](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/jcalhoun66)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 10:42am UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/14 "2024-12-19T10:42:32Z")
im referring to the PFA film at the bottom of the resin vat that only has a life of 75k layer life span. ---
**Author:** ![henryqiu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/henryqiu/32/21840_2.png) [@henryqiu](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/henryqiu)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 4:34pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/15 "2024-12-19T16:34:50Z")
Thanks for clarifying! The Form 4 Tank films are not replaceable. During manufacturing, they’re optimally tensioned and heat-staked into the metal frame using precise equipment that maps tension in both axes. Unfortunately, this level of precision can’t be reliably replicated by hand. You can learn more about the design process from our lead engineer in this [teardown with Shane Wighton from Stuff Made Here](https://youtu.be/sdqjXVkbhcA?feature=shared&t=1582). Having this optimized tension standardized among all tanks is a big reason we are able to maintain reliability and reduce print failures rates to the extent that we do. While we want to empower users to troubleshoot and repair when possible, in this case, it’s a process that’s best handled during production to ensure consistent performance. In my personal experience, the 75,000-layer lifespan is just an estimate. Many factors, such as usage patterns and maintenance, can affect this number. Unlike Form 3 tanks, which degrade over time due to chemical exposure from certain resins, Form 4 tanks are designed to avoid these issues entirely. The tank lifetime is now the same across all materials, which means no hard lifetime restrictions for different resins. Personally, I use my Form 4 a lot and I’ve been able to exceed the 75,000-layer estimate with most of my tanks. The only exceptions have been times when I accidentally scratched the surface by dropping something into the tank or was careless on my part. Hope this helps! More context from one of our engineers: - Form 4 Resin Tanks have an estimated lifetime of 75,000+ layers with any Formlabs material. Form 4 Resin Tank Lifetime does not depend on time exposed to resin. - 75,000 layers is an an estimate of how long an average Form 4 Resin Tank will deliver consistent print results, when maintained correctly. You do not need to replace your resin tank immediately when it reaches this threshold. - This lifetime improvement can lead to significantly lower tank consumable costs for customers printing with resins like Tough 2000, - Form 3/3L Resin Tanks have components that degrade over time with exposure to certain chemicals in some resins. We were unable to eliminate this failure mode with the Form 3/3L tank architecture. But we eliminated this failure mode in Form 4 Resin Tanks. - **Key takeaway** : There is no precise lifetime limit for Form 4 tanks. The estimated lifetime is 75,000+ layers with any material. But customers can and should keep using their tank as long as the tank is not damaged and they are not seeing print issues (see support article for more information) - [Resin tank lifetime and monitoring (Form 4 generation)](https://support.formlabs.com/s/article/Resin-tank-lifetime-and-monitoring-Form-4-generation?language=en_US) - [Resin tank lifetime and monitoring (Form 3/Form 3B)](https://support.formlabs.com/s/article/Resin-tank-lifetime-Form-3-Form-3B?language=en_US) ---
**Author:** ![thepokey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6f9a4e/32.png) [@thepokey](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/thepokey)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 12:50pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/16 "2025-02-05T12:50:37Z")
When will silicone 40A be validated for the 4L? Does it work now with specific geometries? Or is there just a higher failure risk versus the Form 4? ---
**Author:** ![henryqiu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/henryqiu/32/21840_2.png) [@henryqiu](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/henryqiu)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 1:32pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/17 "2025-02-05T13:32:53Z")
According to the [Form 4L/4BL resin compatibility roadmap](https://support.formlabs.com/s/article/Form-4L-generation-print-settings-roadmap?language=en_US), there will not be validated settings for Silicone 40A Resin on Form 4L/4BL. You can technically still attempt to print with it yourself with [Open Material Mode](https://formlabs.com/blog/open-material-mode-medical-device-development/) and [Print Settings Editor](https://support.formlabs.com/s/article/Using-the-Print-Settings-Editor?language=en_US), but such a soft elastomer at that size would be difficult to print reliably. ---
**Author:** ![thepokey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6f9a4e/32.png) [@thepokey](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/thepokey)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 3:11pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/18 "2025-02-05T15:11:44Z")
Yeah,i saw that.i wasnt sure if it was considered a closed topic,or just not the top priority. On the roadmap implies “its on the list,we will get to it eventually” ---
**Author:** ![henryqiu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/henryqiu/32/21840_2.png) [@henryqiu](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/henryqiu)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 3:39pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/19 "2025-02-05T15:39:43Z")
The roadmap should cover all of the resins, but ones indicated with an “x” would mean that there are no current plans to develop those settings. If anything changes, it should be reflected in the roadmap table. ---
**Author:** ![thepokey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6f9a4e/32.png) [@thepokey](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/thepokey)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 4:45pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302/20 "2025-02-05T16:45:34Z")
Ok.Thanks. [Next page](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/introducing-form-4l-4bl/40302.md?page=2)