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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe Formlabs Form 2 was a high-resolution desktop SLA printer introduced in 2015, and its original appeal was a combination of detailed resin prints, automatic vat filling and network connectivity. In 2026, it is a historical model rather than a new-printer recommendation: the 2015 reviews document its design and early print quality, but do not establish its current used price, availability, support status or ongoing material costs. Consider one only after checking the particular machine, its support and compatible supplies.
Form 2 specifications and original price
Formlabs announced the Form 2 on September 22, 2015, positioning it as a professional desktop stereolithography (SLA) system for engineers, designers and creators. The figures below describe the model and its launch-era review, not a current offer or a guarantee about a used machine.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Compatible for Formlabs, Form 2/3/3L Resin | Buy on Amazon | |
| 2 |
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Compatible for Formlabs, Form 2/3/3L Resin | Buy on Amazon |
| Specification | Form 2 | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Build volume | 145 × 145 × 175 mm | Reported by Make: in 2015. |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB | Reported by Make: in 2015; the printer also had a touchscreen LCD and worked with PreForm software. |
| Price | $3,499 | Make:’s 2015 price as tested; it is not a current used-market price. |
Formlabs said the Form 2 offered more than 40% greater build volume than the Form 1+ and a 50% more powerful laser. Those are the manufacturer’s historical comparisons, not independent measurements of print speed or quality.
What changed from the Form 1+
The Form 2 replaced the earlier hinged peel mechanism with a horizontal sliding peel and added a vat wiper. Formlabs also introduced a more powerful laser and custom galvanometers, while placing optical components behind glass. The design changes were intended to improve the printing system and protect sensitive optics; they do not, by themselves, establish reliability or maintenance costs for a specific used unit.
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#1 Best Overall
- Fitment Scope: Designed for Form 2, Form 3, and Form 3L printers, suitable for producing detailed models, prototypes, and functional components.
- Material Structure: Formulated resin material with stable flow characteristics to support consistent layer formation and fine detail reproduction.
- Performance Features: Delivers smooth surface finish, precise dimensional accuracy, and reliable printing performance across various model types.
- Installation Maintenance: Easy to load into compatible resin systems and suitable for routine printing applications with convenient material handling.
- Application Expansion: Suitable for prototyping, product design, engineering models, educational projects, and general 3D printing applications.
Workflow was another part of the redesign. Users could send files by Wi-Fi or Ethernet, select jobs from the printer’s onboard library and monitor prints through web tools. The printer also supported USB. These features made it less dependent on standing beside the machine, though a buyer should verify that the particular printer and software still work with their current network and computer setup.
Print quality: strong resin detail, with limits
Make’s 2015 review found that its early beta Form 2 produced high-quality SLA prints. The reviewer said its resin output “run[s] circles around filament-based prints,” while noting that artifacts remained compared with more expensive laser-sintering systems. The review unit was an early beta machine, and the reviewer allowed that production quality could improve. This is useful period evidence, not a guarantee of output from a decade-old machine today.
For a prospective buyer, the practical question is whether the Form 2’s resin detail and surface quality suit the parts being made. Compare a sample print from the actual machine, if possible, against the required level of detail and finish; also consider build volume, throughput and the finishing work required after printing. The available 2015 review does not quantify current throughput or provide a present-day comparison with specific alternatives.
Resin bottles, open mode and vat costs
The Form 2’s standard resin workflow used chipped bottles that the printer recognized and tracked, with automatic filling of the vat. Make: reported resin-bottle prices of $149–$299 in 2015. That historical range should not be treated as current pricing; current cartridge availability and cost are not established here. Before purchase, verify that compatible cartridges can be obtained and priced for your location and intended material.
Open mode allowed users to pour resin from another vendor into the vat, but automatic filling was not available in that mode. Make’s reviewer advised buyers ordering alternative resin formulations to order extra vats as well. Keeping separate vats for different materials can help avoid cross-contamination; confirm that any vat you buy is compatible with the specific printer.
If you are shopping for a Formlabs Form 2 resin cartridge, verify the seller’s current listing, material and printer compatibility before ordering. The 2015 article’s bottle prices do not establish present availability or compatibility for a listing today.
Rank #2
- Fitment Scope: Designed for Form 2, Form 3, and Form 3L printers, suitable for producing detailed models, prototypes, and functional components.
- Material Structure: Formulated resin material with stable flow characteristics to support consistent layer formation and fine detail reproduction.
- Performance Features: Delivers smooth surface finish, precise dimensional accuracy, and reliable printing performance across various model types.
- Installation Maintenance: Easy to load into compatible resin systems and suitable for routine printing applications with convenient material handling.
- Application Expansion: Suitable for prototyping, product design, engineering models, educational projects, and general 3D printing applications.
What to check before buying a used Form 2
A used machine’s value depends on its condition and the supplies and support available to operate it—not just its original specification sheet. The 2015 coverage does not establish the Form 2’s support lifecycle, current inventory or used-market price, so check those directly before committing.
- Machine condition: Ask for a recent successful print and inspect the printer, vat and optical area for damage or wear. A listing or an old review cannot verify the condition of an individual unit.
- Workflow compatibility: Confirm that the printer can connect using the method you plan to use and that the software and firmware you need remain available and suitable for your computer.
- Material supply: Check current cartridge prices and availability for the resin you intend to use. If relying on open mode, confirm your resin workflow and vat compatibility in advance.
- Support and parts: Ask the seller what support, replacement parts and service options are available for this specific machine. A current support commitment is not established by the 2015 sources.
- Total ownership cost: Compare the asking price plus resin, vats, maintenance and any needed repairs with the cost of alternatives. Include the time and throughput required for your jobs rather than comparing purchase prices alone.
For material changes, consider an extra Form 2 vat rather than relying on one vat for every resin. Make’s 2015 reviewer specifically recommended extra vats when ordering alternative formulations; check current compatibility and pricing before purchase.
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The Form 2 may suit a buyer who specifically needs a desktop SLA workflow, values its historical combination of auto-fill and network features, and can verify a clean, working machine plus a dependable supply of compatible resin and vats. Its original class was not the cheapest: Make’s review acknowledged that less expensive SLA printers existed even while describing the Form 2’s feature set as “currently unbeatable” for its class at the time.
It is a weaker choice if predictable manufacturer support, readily verified current supplies, or a known total cost of ownership are essential. Compare candidates on build volume, detail and surface quality, network workflow, resin openness, cartridge and vat costs, maintenance, production throughput and total price. The historical materials do not provide current values for those competing printers or for the Form 2’s present-day costs.
How the Form 2 was received
Formlabs co-founder Max Lobovsky described the company’s goal in 2015 as giving professional engineers, designers and creators access to “powerful, easy-to use systems.” That was the manufacturer’s stated aim, rather than an independent finding.
Formlabs later reported that Make’s 16-person expert test team named the Form 2 “Best SLA Printer” in its 2016 guide. Formlabs said the team cited the printer’s large build area, automatic resin filling, open-resin compatibility and Wi-Fi connectivity. This is a historical award report, not evidence of how the printer compares with current products.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
