Formlabs, a 3D printer manufacturer and developer is introducing a new business section in the market. The company is making a 3D printer as well as materials that target the market for dentists.
Formlabs’ Form 3B printer is designed to simplify the processing of customized dental implants. The company has printed thirteen million dental elements on Form 2. It is also hoping to go up with its subsequent printer that is targeting the dentists market.
Saying that the dental space is a hot market for 3D printing firms could be an understatement. The 3D systems have been aiming for the market for several years. In the past week, 3D systems opened its dental stuff collection to NextDent Denture 3D+. This comes in some days after the FDA cleared NextDent Denture 3D+.
The 3D System material is created to operate with NextDent 5100 dental 3D printer to create dentures. Also, Stratasys has printers, digital workflows, and supplies for the dental sector.
The approach by Formlab for the Form 3B is to utilize one printer for over ten dental applications. This is to ensure that customers can shift between materials. According to reports by TechCrunch, the printer would produce bridge and crown models, retainer models and clear aligner. They would also include surgical guides as well as dentures with different tooth shades. Apart from that Formlabs is adding a dental service program for training and support.
A little bit about Formlabs printers
Printers from Formlab use Stereolithography instead of the FDM, Fused Deposition Modeling, that many people associated with 3D printing. They utilize cautiously aimed UV lasers to accurately strengthen an otherwise goopy resin into anything you wish to print. FDM printers warm up a solid matter till it’s flexible. After that, they push it via a heated glue syringe style-outlet, to create a model coat by coat.
SLA offers high resolution and accuracy while FDM offers different material properties and colours and it is cost-effective.
Formlabs refers to its latest dentistry-centric printer the Form 3b. This machine is a slight alteration of the Form 3 printer which the company launched beginning this year. It costs a little high than the non-dental Form 3 printer. However, it features software designed to tie into a dental group’s present workflow and the Dental Service Plan. The plan consists of support, training, and the capability to request a new printer in case there is a need for repair.
