Formlabs Form Studio Wash+Cure Post Processing Station

Formlabs Form Studio Wash+Cure is a benchtop station for washing and post-curing SLA parts. Standard materials such as Alpha Resins cure fully in 5 min without heating. A magnetically coupled impeller washes residual resin off in IPA or another solvent. UV light completes the chemical reaction started during printing and increases the strength of the part.

Key features and benefits

• UV LED wavelength: 405 nm — Light of this wavelength completes the reaction started during printing, so the part achieves optimal mechanical properties.
• Wash tank volume: 10 L — This volume accommodates a basket with parts, and the solvent level is easy to monitor using the minimum and maximum marks.
• Product dimensions (W × D × H): 33 × 30 × 44 cm — Both post-processing stages fit on a single desk; with the lid open, allow 46 × 43 × 84 cm.
• Automatic mode switching: the station starts washing once the tank is installed and curing once it is removed, so the operator does not switch modes manually.
• Lifting the basket out of the solvent: parts air-dry and are not left sitting in the solvent, which reduces the risk of print deformation.
• Pause without losing cycle time: a short press of the knob switches off the impeller or the LEDs and saves the remaining time. Opening the lid during curing also pauses the cycle.

How Formlabs Form Studio works

The station builds post-processing around two interchangeable units. The tank with the basket handles washing, while the rotating platform handles curing. Formlabs Form Studio Wash+Cure switches mode automatically depending on which unit is installed.

Both working units can be seen in one image: the curing chamber and the transparent wash tank with the basket.

Once the tank is installed, the station starts washing, and once it is removed, curing. The mode button lets you change the mode manually.

Wash mode

A magnetically coupled impeller rotates in the 10 L tank and stirs the solvent around the parts. Magnets transmit the rotation from the station to the impeller inside the tank. The movement of the solvent washes residual resin off the surface of the parts before curing.

The speed is chosen according to the type of solvent. Low speed is suitable for water and other solvents, high speed for IPA (isopropyl alcohol). An unsuitable speed may stall the impeller motor, and the display will show a STAL error.

Wash parts on the build platform or in the basket. Loose parts in the tank itself may be damaged and interfere with the stirring of the solvent.

Drying without over-soaking

After the cycle, the basket is lifted out of the solvent and hooked onto the edge of the tank. Parts air-dry and are not left sitting in the solvent, which prevents deformation.

• Reminder: after the cycle ends, the station sounds a beep every two minutes so that the operator removes the parts from the solvent.
• Timer: if more than 30 min have passed since the end of the cycle, the display shows the elapsed time.
• Drying: fast-evaporating solvents require at least 30 min of air drying, and TPM is additionally rinsed off with water.

Special geometries

The geometry of the part determines the washing method and the sequence of steps.

• Hollow parts: drain holes let the solvent flow inside and allow it to drain out after the cycle.
• Narrow channels: flush the channel with a syringe of clean solvent, then blow it through with compressed air.
• Parts with cavities on the platform: hollow models printed on the platform may retain resin, so wash them in the basket or add a second cycle.
• Solvent overflow: for parts with an enclosed volume of more than 1.6 L on the platform or 2.6 L without it, pour out some of the solvent before washing.

Curing mode

Two arrays together contain 24 multi-directional 405 nm LEDs. Their light completes the chemical reaction started during printing. It strengthens the cross-links in the polymer, so the material becomes denser and shrinks slightly. The print settings for each material take this shrinkage into account.

• Strength and toughness: increase as the reaction is completed under the action of light.
• Heat resistance: increases, so the part better withstands heating.
• Creep resistance: increases, meaning the part deforms less under constant load.
• Surface: becomes harder and less tacky.

Even exposure

The rotating platform turns the parts while light arrives from all sides. This evens out curing on all exposed surfaces and reduces the risk of deformation of thin features.

Frosted diffusers on the LEDs scatter the light, so parts are cured evenly. The platform diameter is 24.0 cm, so parts are placed with spacing as even as possible.

Dense supports may shield surfaces from the light. Remove them only partially so that the remaining supports preserve the shape of the part.

Materials and cycle time

The station has no heater, so not all Formlabs materials cure fully in it.

• Alpha Resins: cure fully in 5 min without additional heating.
• Tough 1500 Resin: cures in approximately 30 min without heating. However, its mechanical properties may be lower than in Form Cure or Form Cure L.
• Rigid 10K Resin: requires long curing at an elevated temperature, which the station does not provide.

Parts must be completely dry before curing. Residual solvent gets trapped inside and prevents the part from hardening.

Cycle control

The knob and the mode button control all cycles. The display shows the status, time and speed options.

• Turning the knob: sets the cycle duration in minutes and seconds (min:s).
• Short press of the knob: starts the cycle, confirms a selection or pauses the cycle.
• Long press of the knob: ends a paused cycle or exits a selection without saving.
• Mode button: a short press changes the mode, a long press opens the impeller speed selection.

Set the cycle time according to the recommendations for the specific resin and solvent. For a solvent that is partially saturated with resin, add extra washing time.

Safety and compliance

• Lid: the orange lid blocks 405 nm light, and the interlock switches off the LEDs when the lid is open.
• Curing: the cycle does not start with the lid open, and opening it during a cycle pauses it.
• Washing: the wash cycle does not start without the tank installed.
• PPE and solvents: work in nitrile gloves and safety glasses; IPA is highly flammable, so keep it away from ignition sources.

According to the manufacturer's manual, the station was not designed or tested for biocompatible materials. The device has been tested for compliance with the limits for Class B digital devices under the FCC rules (CFR Title 47, Part 15).

Compatible solvents

The Formlabs Form Studio Wash+Cure station is compatible with three washing solvents.

• IPA: isopropyl alcohol; works at high impeller speed, and because it is flammable, parts must be completely dried before curing.
• TPM: tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether; evaporates slowly, so parts are additionally rinsed with water after it.
• Resin Washing Solution: fresh solution has a specific gravity of 0.94, which is checked with a hydrometer; above 0.975 it no longer provides a complete final wash.

Why buy the Formlabs Form Studio Wash+Cure from EXPERT3D?

EXPERT3D has supplied professional 3D equipment since 2012. Our specialists advise on the Formlabs Form Studio Wash+Cure before purchase and help you choose the right configuration. As an official Formlabs representative, we guarantee 100% authenticity, a fair price, authorised service and an official warranty. We deliver throughout Spain and the EU countries. After purchase, we provide service support. Order original spare parts and consumables on the website so that your equipment never stands idle.