Applies to: Form 1+, Form 2, Form 3, Form 3B, Form 3BL, Form 3L, Form 4, Form 4L, Form Wash / Wash L, Form Cure / Cure L, Fast Cure
Last updated: Apr 8, 2025
TL;DR: Use a ventilated, designated area with stable surfaces. Avoid lifting devices by covers and beware of hot surfaces after printing or post-cure. Handle resins and solvents like IPA/TPM with care, away from heat and sparks, and wear nitrile or neoprene gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing. Printers use interlocks and enclosures for safety; do not bypass them. Always consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for materials.
Executive Summary
Purpose: This document provides comprehensive safety guidelines for operating Formlabs SLA printers and post-processing equipment in workplace environments.
Key Safety Areas:
Workspace Setup: Ventilated, stable surfaces, separate from hazardous equipment
Temperature Safety: Hot surfaces up to 35°C during printing, 160°C in post-curing
Chemical Safety: Proper handling of resins, IPA, TPM solvents with appropriate PPE
Equipment Safety: Built-in interlocks, Class 1 Laser safety, LED protection
PPE Requirements: Nitrile gloves, safety glasses, protective clothing, respiratory protection when needed
Target Audience: Workplace safety managers, 3D printing operators, facility managers, and safety compliance officers.
Workplace safety
Designate a specific SLA printing area on a stable, level surface, separate from dusty or sparking equipment.
Ensure the area is ventilated; avoid operating in closed, unventilated rooms. Follow local code requirements for occupied spaces and ventilation (see references in Related resources).
Keep chemicals and consumables organized; promptly clean spills and residues according to local regulations.
Setup and lifting
Desktop devices (e.g., Form 4, Form Wash, Form Cure) can be set up by one person.
Team lift large devices (Form 4L, Wash L, Cure L) using provided straps or slings.
Do not lift or move a device by its cover or moving parts, while it is powered, or while network/USB cables are connected.
Hot surfaces
Printers
During printing, resin is typically heated to about 35 °C (95 °F). Some printers (Form 2, Form 4) heat from under the resin tank; those areas can be hot immediately after a job. Other printers (Form 3/3L) use air heaters. Allow components to cool before handling.
Post-curing
Form Cure / Form Cure L: Heaters and fans can leave surfaces and parts hot during or after cycles. Let parts and fixtures cool before removal.
Form Cure (1st Gen): The turntable may remain hot after a cure cycle; allow it to cool completely before touching or cleaning.
Fast Cure: LED banks generate heat; parts and trays may be hot. Use thermal-insulating gloves rated to at least 160 °C (320 °F) when handling hot components.
Air quality and testing
Formlabs conducts internal room and employee exposure assessments and compares results to Section 8 exposure limits in the material SDS. Results at Formlabs facilities remain below OSHA exposure limits for chemicals used. Respirator use for routine printing tasks is considered voluntary at Formlabs.
Note: Air quality results from one facility are not transferable. Conduct site-specific assessments for your own workplace and follow local requirements.
Handling resins and solvents
Handle liquid resin and wash solvents with care; keep IPA/TPM containers closed when not in use.
Work away from heat, sparks, and open flames. Solvent vapors may be flammable.
Dispose of resin waste and used solvents per local regulations and SDS guidance.
When washing parts, follow device-specific safety guidance for Form Wash / Wash L.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Area
Recommendation
Hands
Wear nitrile or neoprene gloves. Wash skin with soap and water if exposed.
Eyes
Wear safety glasses, especially during post-processing and support removal.
Clothing
Wear long sleeves and pants; launder work clothing routinely.
Respiratory
Consider N95 or better if SDS exposure limits may be exceeded or ventilation is insufficient. Wet sanding helps reduce dust.
PPE recommendations align with Sections 7 and 8 of Formlabs SLA resin SDS.
Device safety features
Printers: Interlocks prevent laser or LEDs/heaters from operating with covers or doors open. Translucent covers allow monitoring of the print enclosure.
Wash: Form Wash / Wash L use double lids to keep the solvent bath covered during and between cycles.
Cure: Form Cure / Cure L / Fast Cure include interlocks that prevent motors, LEDs, and heaters from powering on with covers or doors open.
Light source safety
Form 1+, Form 2, and Form 3-series printers are Class 1 Laser Devices in normal use due to enclosures and interlocks, despite using Class 3B lasers internally. Form 4 / 4L use 405 nm LEDs instead of lasers. Do not defeat safety systems.
Maintenance and housekeeping
Clean resin spills and solvent residues promptly.
Perform routine maintenance on printers and Form Wash devices per the manuals to help ensure safe operation.
Last updated: April 8, 2025 |
Source: Formlabs Support Documentation |
Document ID: SAFETY-RESIN-001