Addressing our #1 user complaint.
Formlabs customers have long complained about removing parts from the build platform. It requires sharp tools, such as scrapers and flush cutters, and a high degree of skill, impacting the accessibility of the Formlabs ecosystem. I set out to design a new build platform that made part removal quick, safe and comfortable.
Designing the most important accessory at Formlabs.
After months of experimentation and prototyping, myself and the engineering teams landed a design that uses a flexible sheet of ferrous stainless steel, an array of magnets, and four trigger arms to release parts from the build sheet. I mainly worked on the design of the handles and the build sheet triggers to ensure the pinching motion that flexes the sheet required a minimum amount of physical effort and remained ergonomic for a wide variety of hand sizes. Both of these parts required double-shot injection molding to achieve both thick cross sections and dimensional accuracy.
“The wait was worth it. With molds, we can print and then start pumping out injection molded plastic parts within 24 hours. This is a genesis for the entire industry. We’re able to print full kilogram parts all at one time and flex them off the plate with no supports, and we couldn’t do that before — the only other option was machining the molds.”
Matthew Deutsch
Additive Manufacturing Technician
