With the onslaught of innovations continually changing the industry`s landscape, designers maintain their focus on software to get even more out of the hardware. An example of this occurred last year when Formlabs updated software to include a 200-micron setting to the printer`s resolution. Printing in thinner 200-micron layers allows for quicker prints.
The update was for the Form 1+ SLA model, and the software update improved print speed further by reducing structural supports. Less support doesn`t necessarily affect quality if used effectively, and can greatly reduce print time. FormLabs said this one update reduced support material by as much as 60%. Updates in software allow objects such as this 3D-printed speaker, created by Adam Lebovitz, to be printed with the same quality, but faster and cheaper.