Large dlp 3d printer
Best Large Resin 3D Printers in 2022 (Every Price Range)
For some, size matters – and a normal-sized resin 3D printer just won’t cut it. For you size kings and queens, bigger is better, and you shouldn’t have to compromise on your quest for the biggest resin 3D printer around.
And with resin printing becoming more affordable than ever before, buying a large resin 3D printer vs outsourcing larger resin prints to a service has never been more cost-effective.
Why Buy a Large Resin 3D Printer?
First, by keeping prototyping in-house you retain full control, you can prototype as fast as your printer will print, and you still don’t have to compromise on size.
BUDGET PICK
Elegoo Saturn
One of the best low-cost large resin 3D printers
Great accuracy and speed with 2-3s per layer exposures, ideal for batch printing of miniatures or single larger prototypes
Reliable and durable printer
Available at:
Elegoo hereAmazon hereMID-RANGE PICK
Anycubic Photon M3 Max
The largest resin 3D printer for under $1000
For a lower-cost home business, you won’t find anything that can print more small models in an hour for cheaper
Amazing 6480x3600px 13. 6” 7K LCD for resin curing power
Available at:
Anycubic hereAmazon herePREMIUM PICK
Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K
70mm/h speed for even faster curing than Anycubic and Elegoo printers
Maintains excellent 43-micron resolution even at large build volumes
Ideal for high-quality prototyping, and for selling D&D and other custom 3D models
Available at:
Phrozen hereResin printers typically have smaller build volumes than their FDM counterparts, focusing instead on outrageous quality and incredibly smooth surface finishes.
However, this creates problems when you want to prototype larger parts, such as helmets or tools and equipment. With a large volume resin 3D printer, you’re free to print human-sized resin parts that can be tested right away.
And even if you’re a hobbyist looking to print large cosplay pieces or other parts, some large format resin 3D printers have become so affordable that you can even get in on the action at home.
We have therefore picked our recommendations for the best build volume format resin 3D printers, in both more affordable and commercial and industrial price ranges and specs, so you can pick the ideal printer for you.
TOP PICKS
The Best Large Resin 3D Printers – Full Round-Up
Desktop Large Resin Printers
- Elegoo Saturn — cheapest large resin printer
- Anycubic Photon M3 Max — Best for $1,000
- Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K — best premium desktop large volume resin printer
Professional Large Resin Printers
- Peopoly Phenom L
- Peopoly Phenom Prime
- Formlabs Form 3L
The Best Large Resin 3D Printer Reviews
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Affordable Large Resin Printers
1.
Elegoo Saturn- Price: Check latest price at Elegoo store here / Available at Amazon here
- Large resin 3D printer build volume: 192 x 120 x 200 mm
Pros
One of the best low-cost large resin 3D printers
Great accuracy and speed with 2-3s per layer exposures, ideal for batch printing of miniatures or single larger prototypes
Reliable and durable printer
Cons
Newer Saturn 2 and Saturn S may suit you better (but they’re more expensive)
The Elegoo Saturn packs a powerful punch with its 8.9-inch 4K monochrome LCD, offering fast 2-3 secs/layer printing — a 60% improvement on Elegoo’s cheaper Mars Pro — and with upgraded stellar quality.
The build volume is far larger than most entry-level large bed resin 3D printers at 192 x 120 x 200 mm, and while this isn’t large enough for printing tools prototypes like spades, for example, you can still print most normal-sized resin parts here.
And for smaller resin prints like casts for jewelry, small prototypes, or fun home projects, you can fit many within each print run. Elegoo Saturn printing a graboid from the movie Tremors. Credit: Dr. Barkau and Mr. Chris
The upgraded Z-axis moves more precisely and accurately – and you’ll see the differences as it churns out delightful resin prints. The printer contains 54 LEDs to accurately print large objects and solidify resin more uniformly than ever before.
It’s also built to need less frequent leveling – saving you hassle – and the Elegoo Saturn is known for great adhesion when printing.
2. Anycubic Photon M3 Max
- Price: Check latest price at Anycubic here / Amazon here
- Build Volume: 298 x 164 x 300 mm
- XY Resolution: 46 microns
- Minimum Layer Thickness: 0.01 mm
- Speed: 60 mm/h
Pros
The largest resin 3D printer for under $1000
For a lower-cost home business, you won’t find anything that can print more small models in an hour for cheaper
Amazing 6480x3600px 13. 6” 7K LCD for resin curing power
Cons
The smaller Photon M3 models offer slightly better XY resolution
The latest in Anycubic’s long line of budget-friendly resin 3D printers, the Photon M3 Max is the manufacturer’s first venture into super-sized build volume territory.
Encompassing 298 x 164 x 300 mm, it has plenty for all those bigger resin projects you’ve put off due to size constraints.
A 13.6″ 7K LCD delivers a dizzying 6480 x 3600 pixels, which, when put to the test, offer a 46 micron XY resolution, which considering the build volume, is extraordinarily accurate (resolution declines with size). That is sufficient detail to bring out armor and weapon details on tiny figures and minis, or to craft intricate and patterned jewelry.
It’s also super fast, at 60mm/hr print speed – which across the large print bed means you can dozens of minis in one job.
Elsewhere, Anycubic has weaved some welcome ease-of-use features. An automatic smart resin filling system sees a resin bottle mounted on the machine. It automatically tops up the vat as required, almost guaranteeing uninterrupted printing for even the largest prints.
Elsewhere, there’s a replaceable screen protector and solid adhesion courtesy of a checkerboard build plate.
3D Printed Moon Knight character. Source: RedditSo, why opt for the Anycubic Photon M3 Max over the Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K?
For one thing, price. The Mega 8K costs more than twice as much, due to Anycubic’s sensible cost cutting (mainly plastic-heavy construction) to sell the M3 Max at a reasonable price.
Where the extra money goes is clear: the Mega 8K is faster, offers better print detail, and provides a large build volume.
But, for makers needing an XL printer at a reasonable price and one capable of delivering feature-rich and detailed prints, the Anycubic Photon M3 Max is a great compromise and the top budget large SLA printer pick.
That said, if you have the extra funds, then the Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K is a substantially better machine. It has a much more versatile set of features that are better suited to serious prototyping, batch printing Dungeons & Dragons, or other tabletop miniatures to fuel a small business or workshop.
3. Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K
- Price: $2199 — Available at Phrozen here
- Build Volume: 330 x 185 x 400 mm
- XY Resolution: 43 microns
- Minimum Layer Height: 0.01 mm
- Speed: 70 mm/h
Pros
70mm/h speed for even faster curing than Anycubic and Elegoo printers
Maintains excellent 43-micron resolution even at large build volumes
Ideal for high-quality prototyping, and for selling D&D and other custom 3D models
Cons
Significantly more expensive than Anycubic and Elegoo printers — so may be too much for hobbyists and newer small business sellers
The Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K is not just one of the largest resin printers on the market, but is also widely regarded as one of the best, thanks to a careful balance of relative affordability, features, and the pristine detail offered by its 8K resolution LCD.
The star of the show is, of course, the 330 x 185 x 400 mm build volume, the most generously sized you’ll find among consumer-grade printers this side of Pluto. While we could stop there, the Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K has plenty more strings to its resiny bow.
The 15″ 8K LCD delivers superb print quality while avoiding the unusual downgrade in detail and feature richness associated with increased build volume. 8K means pixels for days – 7680 x 4320, if we’re being exact.
All these desirable features allow the Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K to reach an XY resolution of 43 microns, which is astounding for such a giant machine. Few other large resin 3D printers come close to delivering this level of detail in large-scale models and parts.
Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K and a full sized 3d printed “Happy” mask. Credit: Josh HardieAs Phrozen puts it:
‘You can now have both size and quality in one print, at the same time.’
Elsewhere, there are a few other notable mentions. The Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K ships pre-leveled, so no messing around with the tough task of calibrating a huge build plate before you can start printing.
Curing away at 70 mm/h, the Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K makes quick work of prints, too, which should help with large prints that already take a long time to complete – or business jobs.
It also features a dual linear rail and ball screw design for extra stability even in the upper reaches of the massive build volume. And lastly, the full metal exterior adds strength and durability but also mixes in a welcome touch of flair.
Priced at $2,200, the Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K requires a substantial investment, which makes it a good pick for serious amateur makers with deep pockets, and small businesses looking for a reliable workhorse with plenty of printing capacity.
- A cheaper alternative: Phrozen Mighty 4K for $599
Professional Large Resin 3D Printers
4. Peopoly Phenom L
- Price: $2,499 — Available at Matterhackers here
- Print volume: 345 x 197 x 400 mm
Pros
Large enough for even most large resin prototypes
Significantly improved on original Phenom: faster exposure times, double print speed, and 21-micron improved accuracy (from 72 to 51 microns)
Cons
More complex and industrial than a standard desktop resin printer
You can even then choose to upgrade and go further and buy the Phenom L, an even larger resin 3D printer for an extra $500. Resolution falls to 90um, but print volume explodes to 345 x 194 x 400 mm — it’s gigantic!Iron Man mask printed on the Phenom L. Source: Reddit
You can easily print prototype helmets, tools, and other larger resin prototypes in this large-format resin build area.
4.5 Peopoly Phenom Prime
- Price: $1899 — Available at Matterhackers here
- Build Volume: 276 x 155 x 400 mm
- XY Resolution: 51 microns
- Minimum Layer Height: 0.01 mm
- Speed: 60 mm/h
Since 2017, Peopoly has wowed 3D printer enthusiasts by delivering some of the roomiest, large-scale 3D printers, chiefly embodied by the Phenom range. Half a decade later, Peopoly has booted much of the original line-up to the technological graveyard to make room for its most sophisticated Phenom yet, the Peopoly Phenom Prime.
Both a spiritual successor and a logical evolution for the range, the Phenom Prime retains all of what we liked about the original but levels up the offering with modern features and niceties to make it faster and more precise.
It features a massive 276 x 155 x 400 mm build volume – same as on the Phenom – so no major changes there. Where things get interesting is the inclusion of a 5.5K (read 5448 x 3064 pixels) LCD that bumps up the XY resolution to a sharp 51 microns, a massive leap over the original’s 72 microns.
Phenom Prime printing the pelvic bone. Source: Liqcreate 3D-printingUnlike the original Phenom’s RGB LCD, the Prime features a monochrome screen. Par for the course in modern printers, but a welcome change that increases panel lifespan by up to three times.
The monochrome panel also boasts a higher light transmission rate or permeability, which results in much faster curing and a 70% reduction in exposure time. In other words, much speedier printing – a 100% increase according to Peopoly.
Elsewhere, the Phenom Prime has an improved cooling system to handle the heat produced by such a large machine. It’s also quieter, something that anyone who dabbled with the original will relish, given its reputation for blaring the decibels in full swing.
Who would benefit most from the Phenom Prime?
First and foremost, anyone that owns a Phenom and will make the most of the Prime’s sleek new upgrades.
Second, for us, the Phenom Prime slots in as an excellent option for a small workshop that needs more capacity and printing pep than the more budget-oriented printers like Anycubic Photon M3 Max.
5. Formlabs Form 3L
- Price: $10,999 — Available at Dynamism here
- Build volume: 335 x 200 x 300 mm
Designed specifically for large-scale resin part production, the Formlabs 3L build on Formlabs is already stellar reputation and brings it to the big leagues.
It uses the same Formlabs low force stereolithography SLA technology as on the Form 3, with two precision LPUs (Light Processing Units) for higher resolution prints and consistency throughout, and Formlabs stress that this indeed is the ideal solution to save your business money by no longer outsourcing your prototyping and fabrication.
Numerous case studies show helmets printed in exquisite detail, shovel prototypes (though even with the printer’s large build area, it required three parts), nozzles, and even high-resolution full-size Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle models — if you’re a design studio or uber-wealthy superfan.
Clear kettle prototype printed on the Form 3L. Source: TwitterIt’s easier to use than most commercial large resin 3D printers, and seeks to minimize hassle and the steep learning curve across the board — such as by offering automatic resin dispensing, simplifying the entire slicing and software workflow, and with the delightfully intuitive 5.5-inch full-color touchscreen.
If you’re running a 3D printer farm you can manage them all via the cloud, and you can also make use of Formlabs’ wide resin selection: standard, engineering, flexible, tough and durable, dental or medical, and even jewelry castable resin — you can make almost anything for any industry use with the Form 3L.
For home use, it’s probably overkill, but it’s possibly the best large SLA printer, offering fantastic build volume and high-precision printing.
6. Photocentric Liquid Crystal Magna
- Price: $15,000+
- Print volume: 510 x 280 x 350 mm
British company Photocentric make some of the highest resolution LCD technology printers around for industry, with the LC Magna designed for precise dental and product design prototyping at large scales and sizes.
It’s super-fast, a giant resin printer, and accurate, with Photocentric’s own resins helping keep costs lower over the long term.
Photocentric also manufactures a wash module for washing prints and a curing module for curing prints that require this, and the LC Magna has been used to prototype and manufacture glasses, dental models, models figurines, and even motorbike engines.
Finished prints on the Liquid Crystal Magna. Source: PhotocentricThe 4K 137-micron display delivers accuracy over the entire print bed, using the benefits of anti-aliasing, and uses Photocentric’s patented blow-peel technologies to prevent some of the negative effects of large resin build areas coming into play, and retain the intricate details on large models and small objects at high speed.
Overall, it’s costly but offers key benefits as a big resin 3D printer in large-scale industry and prototyping.
Buyer’s Guide – Things to Consider When Buying a Large Resin 3D Printer
Build Volume
Build volume is obviously the main consideration when picking a large-format resin printer to buy. What size you need depends entirely on your plans and needs.
For most amateur makers looking to print cosplay props, highly detailed figures in batches, and larger decorative pieces, a build volume around 300 x 150 x 300 mm should be sufficient. For you, either Elegoo Saturn range, or the Anycubic Photon M3 Plus or Max are more than enough.
If you’re unsure exactly what you’ll want to print in the future, it’s worth opting for something a little larger than your needs.
Your ambitions and project may change over time, so it’s better to have some leeway to work with.
LCD and Pixel Count
Avoid RGB LCDs at all costs. The technology is now outdated: it’s slower and has a shorter lifespan. Instead, choose a large resin 3D printer with a monochrome LCD – a must-have in our book.
It’s worth noting that the larger the LCD (and, by extension, build volume), the more pixels have to stretch and expand to cover the entire plate effectively. The fewer pixels, the less detail a printer can produce.
This means that LCDs with a higher resolution are a must-have for larger printers. We’d recommend at least 4K, but don’t hesitate to pivot to printers pushing 5K and even 7K/8K LCDs if your budget allows it.
The Elegoo Saturn has a 4K LCD, the Photon M3 Max has 7K, and the Sonic Mega 8K has, you guessed it, an 8K screen.
XY Resolution
XY resolution determines the level of accuracy a printer can produce, the amount of detail, the quality of the surface finish, and how well it will render features.
Larger build volumes used to mean a downgrade to XY resolution, but nowadays, it’s possible to buy large format printers with excellent resolution.
Anything around 50 microns should serve the large majority of makers, but if you want that extra bit of detail, opt for printers with a lower XY resolution.
Build Quality and Stability
Managing movement in large format resin printers is vital if you want uniform fine details and precision throughout your prints. Look to printers with solid metal frames to improve durability, dual linear rails, and sturdy covers/shrouds/hinged doors.
These tend to peter out as the price drops, but so does the build volume, which somewhat cuts down on their utility. In other words, don’t be put off by budget large format resin 3D printers that don’t have all the fancy features of the pricier XL alternatives.
Print Speed
Remember that MSLA printers cure entire layers at once, unlike FDM. So, speed – in terms of how many models you can create per hour or day – is directly impacted by the size of the build volume. This is where the size of a resin printer is so important.
Though it’s easy to be drawn in by the pull of blisteringly fast print speeds, it doesn’t mean you’ll actually always be printing at these speeds.
These high speeds are pushed as marketing ploys – often, you won’t come close to these numbers, especially if you want high-detail prints.
But, if you plan to use a resin printer as a daily go-to machine for batch printing, more speed certainly makes a tangible difference to print times. 60 mm/h is becoming somewhat of a standard for most large resin 3D printers and represents a good starting point for most makers.
Some speeds among the printers we recommend:
- Anycubic Photon M3 Max: 60mm/h
- Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K: 70mm/h
- Peopoly Phenom Prime: 60mm/h
Price
For a modestly-sized but still comparatively large resin printer, expect to pay around $500 to $700. We recommend the Elegoo Saturn printers here, but the Anycubic Photon M3 Plus is also great.
For mid-range machines with plenty of capacity, expect to pay $1000 or slightly more. The Anycubic Photon M3 Max is bigger than the M3 Plus, and is ideal for this price range and use.
From here, prices surge to thousands of dollars for large resin 3D printers with the biggest build volumes and features. These tend to be reserved for business and professional workshops with the budget to spare.
Read more: Photon M3 vs M3 Plus vs M3 Max – all the differences
Large Resin 3D Printer FAQs
What Resin Printer Has the Biggest Build Plate?
The consumer-grade resin 3D printer with the biggest plate is currently the Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K. Phrozen’s flagship large format SLA printer features a 15″ 8K LCD, 330 x 185 mm build plate for a total build volume of 330 x 185 x 400 mm.
Jumping up in price, we have Peopoly Phenom XX, which has a 23.8″ 4K LCD and 527 × 296 x 550 mm build volume. It’s priced at $7,500, positioning it firmly in the professional portion of the resin 3D printer market as one of the largest SLA printers available.
How Big Can a Resin Printer Print?
A resin 3D printer can print as big as its build volume allows. For instance, the Anycubic Photon M3 Max has a 300 x 164 x 298 mm build volume, meaning you could print a solid cube of that size on the printer.
What Is the Biggest Anycubic Resin Printer?
The biggest resin printer from Anycubic is the Photon M3 Max, the largest of the manufacturer’s recently launched M3 series printers. It has a build volume of 300 x 164 x 298 mm, which positions it as a large format resin 3D printer.
What is the largest 3D resin printer?
The Photocentric Crystal Magna is one of the largest resin 3D printers in the world, but it’s too expensive for average makers at home. The largest desktop resin 3D printers are the Anycubic Photon M3 Max, Elegoo Jupiter, and Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K.
What is the biggest Elegoo 3D printer?
The biggest resin printer from Elegoo is the Elegoo Jupiter 12.8” 6K 3D printer. It has a build volume of 278 x 156 x 300 mm, and a 12.8-inch 6K monochrome LCD to print even the largest models at 70mm/h.
Further reading:
- The best resin 3D printers
- Is 3D printing miniatures cheaper? (FDM and resin)
- Best 3D printers for miniatures
- DIY SLA 3D printers you can build yourself
- The best large 3D printer (FDM and other technologies)
- Best 3D printers for small businesses
- Top professional 3D printers
- 500x500x500mm 3D printers
- Best wash and cure stations
Top-Notch Equipment with Big Build Volume
Veterans of additive manufacturing know that the first 3D printing technology to appear was stereolithography — it was as far back as 1986. Since then, there’ve been developed plenty of other methods like FDM and SLS; on the other hand, the popularity of stereolithography technology drastically increased when resin 3D printers became much more affordable and advanced. As a result, now the market offers a variety of options for printing in photosensitive resins, with multiple smart features and build volumes for different purposes.
Credit: allthat3d.com
This is Top 3D Shop, and in this article, we are going to tell you about large resin 3D printers. Read on to learn about the most notable models and their peculiarities, as well as the applications of SLA printing and the criteria to be taken into account when choosing such equipment.
What is a large resin 3D printer?
Before we get to discussing specific models and their pros and cons, let’s have a brief look at the technology called vat photopolymerization. As the name suggests, it’s the process of turning a liquid polymer into a solid object under UV light exposure. Vat polymerization comes in three main types which are SLA, DLP, and LCD (or MSLA).
We’ve already mentioned that the first 3D printing technology was SLA (Stereolithography Apparatus) invented and patented by Chuck Hull in 1986. Like the other vat polymerization technologies, this one cures photosensitive resin, layer by layer, to print a 3D object. The difference lies in the source of UV light used for polymerization. SLA employs the UV laser to “draw” each layer of the future model. The method provides high quality prints but the downside of that is the trade-off in speed.
(Sometimes resin 3D printing in general can be referred to as SLA 3D printing, although it may cause ambiguity.)
Credit: burkhartdental.com
DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology uses a digital light projector screen as a light source. This technology gives you a significant gain in speed, as a whole layer is cured all at once. On the other hand, classic SLA printers can feature higher resolution compared to those using a projector.
The newest type of vat polymerization technology is called LCD (which stands for Liquid Crystal Display). It’s pretty similar to DLP, but instead of a projector it uses an LCD as a mask for the light coming from an array of UV LEDs.
Credit: phrozen3d.com
As was already mentioned, the popularity of resin 3D printers is growing rapidly as they are becoming more advanced and user-friendly, and definitely less pricey. First these devices were used for printing small objects requiring high accuracy and flawlessly smooth surfaces, like in jewelry. But some users wanted to have bigger prints without compromising on quality. So eventually, resin 3D printers acquired bigger build volumes, and now we can speak of a great number of large resin 3D printers that entered the market.
Uses of a large resin 3D printer
Resin 3D printing with its precision, time-saving, and the opportunity of using a great variety of materials with different characteristics, is highly recommended for use in many sectors like jewelry, healthcare, engineering, aerospace, automotive, robotics, education, and more. This technology helps to create complex finely-detailed models which would be difficult to produce using traditional methods. Let’s look at some examples.
Medical and dental tools
Healthcare is one of the industries that benefit most from resin 3D printing. The variety of applications is numerous: from producing medical tools, which, being made of special medical resins, are biocompatible and can be sterilized in a usual way, to making organ models that help doctors make surgery preparations. In dentistry, special dental resins are utilized to produce models of crowns and bridges, surgical guides, splints and retainers with incredible accuracy.
Credit: instituteofdigitaldentistry.com
Gifts and toys / miniatures
Resin 3D printing technology has already been highly appreciated by hobbyists looking for a simple way of making miniatures and customized figures. Toy and gift industries also greatly benefit from employing 3D printing in manufacturing. One more interesting application of the technology in the toy industry is repairing toys and creating spare parts for them.
Credit: facfox.com
Education and entertainment
As the resin 3D printing industry grows, educational institutes are starting to use it for research and education purposes. Both students and professors utilize 3D printers for a variety of purposes like printing visual AIDS or models for their projects. In some colleges, professors make use of 3D printers while telling the students about additive manufacturing technology. There are a lot of sites that offer huge selections of free 3D printing models for entertainment and educational purposes.
Credit: 3dstartpoint.com
The best large resin 3D printers: affordable, commercial and industrial
A wide variety of large format resin 3D printers can be divided into three categories, let’s call them affordable, commercial, and industrial devices. Printers relating to the first category are the best choice for home use, as they are quite affordable and not very big in size. They can also be used for the needs of small businesses, and would be perfect in the field of education. The category of commercial printers is aimed at small and medium-sized businesses, but some consumers can also become interested in buying such a device, especially if they are planning on printing some huge ambitious projects, like, for instance, certain elements for cosplay costumes. Commercial large-scale resin 3D printers normally have more spacious build volumes than devices from the category of affordable printers. And, last but not least, industrial printers with their impressively high performance and no less impressive price are mostly targeted at large manufacturing companies with high production volumes.
Affordable
Anycubic Photon Mono X 3D printer
The Anycubic Photon Mono X is a high-speed LCD resin 3D printer. It boasts a 4K resolution panel which allows for high accuracy of printing with a single layer depth not exceeding 0.01 mm. The printing speed is impressive — it takes only 1–2 seconds to print a layer. The Photon Mono X features a spacious build volume of 192х120х245 mm. Built-in safety functions are helpful if you are planning to use the printer at home with kids. The Photon Mono X offers a number of convenience features, such as Wi-Fi and remote control. All this makes the Anycubic Photon Mono X one of the best large format resin 3D printers in its price range.
Credit: @leandro_benignoart / Instagram
Pros
- high printing speed
- great resolution
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- strong brushed aluminum panel
- built-in safety functions
Cons
- rather expensive
- some users complain of the software performance
Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K resin 3D printer
The Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K offers one of the largest build volumes in its price range — 200x125 x220 mm. The machine is designed for printing one big model or multiple smaller parts in one batch. A 9.3-inch 4K monochrome LCD screen offers excellent printing quality alongside the high speed. The printer is equipped with a 5-inch touchscreen for navigation and settings configuring. The device is compatible with the free Chitubox slicer optimized to work with resin 3D printers. The Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K would become a good choice both for commercial and home use. The printer is widely used in dentistry.
Credit: printablescenery.com
Pros
- high printing speed
- excellent print quality
- large build volume for its class
- easy operation
Cons
- resin vat is not easy to fit
- small touchscreen
Creality LD-006 3D printer
Like most large volume resin 3D printers in this segment, the Creality LD-006 is based on LCD technology. The device features a new 8.9-inch monochrome LCD screen with 4K resolution. The build volume is decent enough — 192x120x250 mm. The Creality LD-006 boasts a renewed vat which adds to the user’s convenience. The vat has a liquid level line which helps to control the resin expenditure, and special stands to prevent the FEP film from being damaged. The LD-006 has a built-in air filtering system, which seems to be pretty useful when working with resins that are characterized by strong odor.
Credit: fabbaloo.com
Pros
- high resolution and print quality
- convenient vat
- built-in air filtration system
- great touchscreen
Cons
- no Wi-Fi connection
- a bit pricey
Uniz IBEE 3D printer
The Uniz IBEE is a multi-purpose desktop LCD 3D printer of medium size. It offers an 8.9-inch 4K monochrome LCD screen and the build volume of 192x120x200 mm. Its new optical system employs a collimated light source, providing the 1000:1 contrast ratio. The device has a wide range of connectivity options including Wi-Fi, and comes with the proprietary powerful and user-friendly software, which makes the Uniz IBEE a win-win choice for beginners.
Credit: uniz.com
Pros
- great quality of printing
- decent build volume
- rich connectivity options
- easy to use
Cons
- changing the vat film requires a lot of time
Commercial
Phrozen Sonic MEGA 8K resin 3D printer
The Phrozen Sonic MEGA 8K stands out among other large resin 3D printers as it provides both stunning print quality and one of the largest print volumes on the market. Its 15-inch 8K mono LCD panel allows you to print at 43-micron resolution, which gives you almost twice more detailed prints than most competitors can offer. The Sonic MEGA 8K comes with a pre-calibrated build plate, which means your printer is ready for use right out of the box. The device has a full-metal exterior and its more than competitive price makes it the best choice for those seeking for really large and highly detailed prints.
Credit: reddit. com
Pros
- excellent print quality
- huge build volume
- pre-calibrated build plate
- great value for money
Cons
- rather slow printing speed
Uniz Slash 2 Pro 3D printer
The Uniz Slash 2 Pro is an upgraded version of the popular Slash 3D printer. Its liquid cooling system together with the intelligent heat management provides fast curing time which results in high printing speed. The printer uses LCD 3D printing technology and is equipped with a 4K LCD screen. The build volume is 192x120x400 mm, which is quite enough for most projects. The Uniz Slash 2 Pro sports a durable resin vat with the automatic level control.
Credit: uniz.com
Pros
- extremely fast printing speed
- large build volume
- high printing accuracy
- quite affordable
- durable resin vat
- powerful and user-friendly software
Cons
- no touchscreen for the printer control
Phrozen Sonic XL 4K resin 3D printer
The Phrozen Sonic XL 4K is a large format resin 3D printer specially designed for the dental industry, although it perfectly suits the needs of jewelry production, prototyping, and other industries requiring high-accuracy printing. It features a monochrome LCD matrix with a resolution of 3840x2160 and a pretty large print area. One of the advantages of the Sonic XL 4K is the support of various types of resins by different manufacturers. The optical system of the device has been improved compared to the previous models. The Phrozen Sonic XL 4K also has a more powerful ParaLED® 3.0 module which provides an even layer thickness over the entire area of the build plate.
Credit: reddit.com
Pros
- fast printing speed
- large build volume
- fine precision
- compatibility with various resin types
- a lot of connectivity options
Cons
- no warranty for the building platform and the LCD screen
EPAX X156 3D printer
With a 345x194x400 mm build volume, the EPAX X156 is one of the largest resin 3D printers in the market. The printer features a 15.6-inch 4K RGB screen which is less durable and requires more time to cure the layers, compared to monochrome screens. The good news is that in the case of the EPAX X156 it doesn’t seem much of a problem as the manufacturer provides the opportunity to upgrade the device with a smaller but more durable 4K monochrome screen with the same resolution and a 4 times faster printing speed.
Credit: reddit.com
Pros
- super large build volume
- fine precision and great surface finish
- factory-leveled printing plate
- large metal resin vat
Cons
- small touchscreen (3.5 inches)
- RGB LCD screen is less durable and features a slower printing speed (although can be upgraded to monochrome)
Formlabs Form 3 / 3L
Credit: formlabs.com
The Formlabs Company has developed a completely new proprietary printing technology called LFS (Low Force Stereolithography) for its Form 3/3L models. This technology, based on SLA, ensures edge-to-edge consistency of the print quality. The major difference between the two models is the build volume, which is 145x145x185 mm for the Form 3 and 335x200x300 mm for the Form 3L. Both printers can work with various resin types which increases their versatility and allows their use in different industries.
Credit: formlabs.com
Pros
- large build volume (for the 3L model)
- high printing speed
- very user-friendly, allows fully automatic one-click printing
- works with a great number of various resin types
Cons
- support structure is required for every build
- some users reported problems with dust inside the laser unit
Peopoly Phenom Prime
Credit: peopoly.net
The Peopoly Phenom Prime is a large resin LCD 3D printer featuring a great monochrome 12.5-inch 5.5K screen, which allows printing with a resolution of 51 microns. The device boasts a huge 276x155x400 mm build volume. The Phenom Prime has an improved cooling system compared to its predecessor, the Phenom model.
Credit: peopoly.net
Pros
- one of the biggest resin 3D printers
- monochrome high resolution LCD screen
- supports various resin types
Cons
- loud printing process
Industrial
Industrial large resin 3D printers are to meet special requirements, one of them being definitely an extremely high printing speed. None of the existing technologies is capable of providing such speed level. The growing demands for high-speed 3D printing have led to developing such ultra-fast printing technologies as CLIP and LSPc. Let’s see what’s so special about them.
Nexa3D vs Carbon3D
The CLIP (Continuous Liquid Interface Production) technology was developed by the Carbon 3D Company. Like with SLA technology, the models are printed layer by layer, but you don’t have to wait for each layer to be cured, since the technology harnesses oxygen as an inhibiting agent. This allows for printing speed 25–100 times higher than that of any other existing 3D printing technology. Such an approach not only decreases production time, but also removes the layering effect in the print structure. The CLIP technology is presented by two models: Carbon M1 and Carbon M2 with build volumes of 144х81х330 and 190х118х326 mm respectively. These models can not be called affordable, but they quickly caught the attention of big companies like Adidas, Ford, and others. These companies highly appraised the advantages of high-speed and at the same time low-cost production, compared to traditional manufacturing.
Credit: YouTube
Credit: 3dbeginners.com
The LSPc (Lubricant Sublayer Photocuring) technology by the Nexa3D Company uses a similar principle to CLIP, being different in some features. Nexa3D produces two models based on LSPc technology – NXE400 with a print volume of up to 16 liters and the 7-liter NXE200. These models are suitable for both industrial prototyping and small-volume manufacturing. The LSPc printers are equipped with replaceable resin cartridges, so you don’t have to refill the vat during the printing process. Nexa3D printers can work with a great number of different materials, which makes them suitable for use in the aerospace and car industries, consumer goods, electronic equipment, and many other fields.
Credit: nexa3d.com
The main advantage of the ultra-fast printing technologies is an extremely high printing speed which gives the user absolutely new experience in 3D printing. However, such devices are highly expensive and sometimes the manufacturers don’t even sell them to consumers, which makes such printers completely unsuitable for home use and even for small businesses. Still, they can be a great choice for large manufacturing enterprises affiliated with large production volumes.
How to choose a good large resin 3D printer
When it comes to choosing a large resin 3D printer among the numerous solutions offered by manufacturers, one can feel a little bit frustrated as the choice is too vast and not always obvious. Besides, each user usually has special requirements in mind, thus what’s essential for one person can be of no importance for another. We’ve already given you the list of the models worth considering, and now let’s name the key features that’ll help you find the best large resin 3D printer that you’ll be fully content with.
Build volume
The build volume or the printing area defines the maximum size of your future project. The larger the build volume – the larger laser sword you can print. But if you are not that ambitious and gonna print something of a smaller size, you may not restrict your choice by this parameter. Besides, larger build volume usually means bigger size of the printer itself. It also requires more consumables.
LED array
LED array, or LED matrix, is used in LCD 3D printers as the light source to cure the printed layers. Manufacturers develop different optical systems trying to get the consistent lighting possible on the entire build plate, as it directly affects the print quality.
Production speed
DLP and LCD printers generally have a faster production speed than SLA models. Monochrome LCD matrix provides much higher printing speed than a color one, as the latter absorbs more light and the layers are cured more slowly. It’s up to you, whether you need really speedy printing or better save a little money.
Resolution and precision
Important parameters that define how similar your print will be to the original. Resolution and precision are often regarded as synonyms; but nevertheless these two words are close in their meanings, there's a certain difference. Resolution can be defined as the X-Y dimensions (horizontal resolution) and layer thickness in micrometers (vertical resolution). The less the layer thickness is, the higher resolution your printer has, which results in smoother and more detailed prints. Precision rather refers to the consistency of the printer, in other words, it shows if it is capable of providing expected results in every print. If you need fine-detailed prints, then resolution is a crucial thing for you. But don’t forget that higher resolution always means slower printing speed.
Stability
The quality of your prints depends to a great extent on how stable your printer is, if there’s any undesired wobbling during the printing process. To ensure the stability, all the printers in our list are equipped with double linear Z-axis rails to move the build platform up and down. You can also make some steps to improve your device’s stability. First put it on a sturdy, heavyweight surface. Then put a foam or rubber pad under the printer to absorb vibrations. You can also reduce printing speed if this option is not very important for you.
Credit: all3dp.com
Print bed adhesion
It sometimes happens that your prints don’t stick to the print bed, but rather to the FEP film or to the resin vat. It means that the first layer of your project has poor adhesion to the build plate. To stop this, you should make sure you have enough bottom layers and the bottom layer has enough time to harden. You can use PTFE spray on your FEP film and let it dry to create a lubricant preventing the resin from sticking to the resin vat.
Economical
When one is choosing a large resin 3D printer, price can become an important factor as such machines, although becoming more affordable, still cost a lot. If you don’t want to spend extra money, you’d better check all the features to decide what you’re ready to pay for. Such parameters as high printing speed and extreme resolution make the device more expensive, but one can always find a reasonable compromise depending on their needs. Another important thing to keep in mind is consumables. Some printers allow using different types of resins produced by third-party manufacturers, which is great, as you can always choose the best option that suits your budget.
Conclusion
Large resin 3D printers are becoming more and more popular. As the technology’s developing rapidly, such machines have entered a lot of various industries, where they successfully meet the goal of high-speed precise printing at a relatively low cost. The vast variety of different resin types, offered by manufacturers, allows for use of resin 3D printers in almost any industry, when one wants to get a finely detailed object with a flawlessly smooth surface, be it dentistry, jewel industry, aircrafting, or even shoes manufacturing, like this famous Adidas 4DFWD model with 3D printed midsoles.
Credit: adidas.com
It’s not only businesses that benefit from the technology of resin 3D printing, but also consumers, as the market of affordable resin 3D printers is growing really fast. So, if you want to purchase the best large resin 3D printer, we do hope that this article will answer your questions and help you make the right choice.
DLP 3D printing | Description and features of the technique
What is DLP 3D printing?
DLP 3D printing is an additive manufacturing technique that uses liquid photopolymer resins to build objects that are cured by light waves. “Yes, this is an SLA print!” - exclaim those who are already familiar with the methods of additive manufacturing. Indeed, the principle of operation of these two technologies is almost identical. However, the curing of the object in DLP printing occurs under the influence of a different light source.
In general, DLP 3D printing can be described as a direct analogue of SLA 3D printing, even surpassing it in some aspects. For example, the print speed in DLP 3D printers is an order of magnitude higher than in SLA devices. And the difference in fidelity varies depending on the specific equipment and consumable, and is generally small. Now let's move on to the technical aspects and talk about the principle of operation of DLP technology.
Technology Description
As with all 3D printing technologies, the first step in manufacturing a physical object is to create a 3D digital model of it. We will not delve into the details of this stage, you can read more about 3D modeling for 3D printing here. The finished 3D model is loaded into a slicer program designed to set print settings and “cut” the model into layers. This step also generates supporting structures under the overhanging elements of the object. The received settings are saved, the model is converted into a control code for a 3D printer. Now you can start printing.
Above we mentioned the similarities between DLP and SLA 3D printing. It's time to talk about their difference and how DLP printers work. Instead of a laser machine (as in SLA), DLP 3D printing works with a special projector as a light source. This technique is not new: you can also find such DLP projectors in other, more common devices, for example, in TVs. Here they are also used for curing liquid consumables - photopolymer resins.
As in SLA printing, there are two options for DLP 3D printing devices: in one, the object is built from the bottom up (the working platform goes down), and vice versa (the working platform goes up). In our article, we will consider DLP 3D printing using both types of devices as an example.
Reverse DLP 3D printing
So, a special container of a 3D printer is filled with photopolymer resin to a certain level. The building platform is lowered into the container so that the gap between it and the bottom is equal to the height of one layer. Under the tank is a DLP projector. Light corresponding to the section of the first layer of the model is projected onto the platform. After its curing, the platform rises and the illumination of the second layer begins.
So, step by step, a physical object is created. Upon completion of printing, the platform rises above the level of the photopolymer, the product is removed and cleaned of the remnants of the consumable. After that, it is necessary to perform the final illumination in a UV lamp for complete curing of the material.
Direct DLP 3D printing
Unlike reverse printing, the DLP projector is located on top, above the resin tank. In this case, the working platform is located directly in it. To build the first layer, the platform rises so that the gap between it and the surface of the consumable corresponds to the height of the first layer.
The cross section of the first layer is projected onto the platform, curing the photopolymer, after which the platform is lowered down to the height of one layer. These steps are repeated until the complete construction of the product. Further actions are identical to those described in the previous paragraph: the object is removed, cleaned of consumables and subjected to additional illumination.
Benefits
Why is DLP 3D printing so interesting? What features of it help this technique to gain more and more popularity every day? Let's watch:
- Faster print speed than SLA 3 D printers. In contrast to laser stereolithography, DLP 3D printing projects a whole layer onto the photopolymer at once, and does not gradually pass through its sections with a laser. Due to this, the speed of creating products increases several times;
- High print precision. In terms of the accuracy of the created objects, DLP 3D printing is in no way inferior to SLA 3D printing: the layer height in this technique can reach 15 microns! However, it all depends on the type of 3D printer and the specific material;
- Large selection of consumables. As for photopolymers, their range in the 3D printing market is so wide today that it is sometimes difficult to decide. Moreover, often DLP 3D printers can work with the same consumables as SLA printers;
- Affordable equipment price. DLP projectors are much cheaper than laser systems, which affects the cost of 3D printers for DLP printing for the better. Technology is developing rapidly and many today are opting for digital LED projection.
Among the shortcomings, it is worth highlighting only the rather high cost of consumables.
Applicable materials
DLP 3D printing works with liquid photopolymer resins (much the same as SLA 3D printing). Some consumables are even suitable for both methods. It depends on the wavelength of illumination and consumables. However, even specifically for digital LED projection, excellent professional lines of photopolymer resins have been developed.
So, today in the 3D printing market you can find flexible and rigid materials, transparent photopolymers and resins of a wide variety of colors. Consumables for specific applications are also available. For example, dental photopolymers with various properties, as well as burnable materials for the manufacture of jewelry master models.
Equipment
Even today, some DLP 3D printers can compete directly with SLA printing equipment. Our store presents a variety of devices, both professional and budget class, for DLP 3D printing. Some of them are listed below:
- WANHAO DUPLICATOR 7
- M-ONE
- WANHAO DUPLICATOR D7 PLUS
- B9CREATOR
- TITAN1
All 3D printers available for order. For additional questions, write to us by e-mail, or call the numbers listed in the "Our Contacts" section.
What is DLP 3D printing for?
We have figured out how the technology works. Now consider the scope of 3D printing DLP:
- Jewelery;
- Dentistry;
- Art and design;
- Souvenir products.
In general, DLP 3D printing is suitable for any area where high precision and detail of the created products is important. With equal success, this method is used in architectural prototyping, as well as for small-scale production of small-sized products.
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SLA/DLP/LCD Printer Differences, Printing Examples, Applications
Photopolymer printing is usually associated with delicate, miniature products. After all, it is photopolymer printers that come to the rescue if you need to make a small but detailed model.
Currently, photopolymer printers can work on one of three technologies - SLA, DLP or LCD. Each of the technologies has its own advantages and disadvantages.
In order not to make a mistake with the choice of model, you need to understand which technology is suitable for printing specific products. For example, for a jeweler and a dentist, the main criterion will be accuracy, and for a person who plans to print figurines for his hobby, the quality of the surface and the not very expensive cost of consumables.
SLA
SLA is one of the first patented 3D printing technologies. It was patented in 1986 by Charles Hull. DLP and LCD are similar in basic principles to SLA, but appeared much later.
How it works
As a material for printing, SLA printers use photopolymer resins - light-sensitive polymers that harden under the influence of a certain spectrum of UV radiation.
A laser beam is used as a “hardener”, which is focused on the desired point with the help of mirrors. The beam sequentially “draws” a slice of the model. So gradually, layer by layer, the model is “grown” on the desktop.
How SLA technology works
There are two options for the location of the printed table - top and bottom.
Top table
Visually it looks like an inverted FDM machine, the model is printed upside down on such a machine. The table moves during printing from the bottom up, the laser module is located at the bottom of the machine, under the polymer bath. The bottom of the bath is usually made of silicone - it transmits UV radiation well and practically nothing sticks to it.
Top position printer model
This is the most popular desktop SLA printer solution.
Table down
The laser module is located at the top of the printer above the resin bath, and the printing table, during printing, gradually lowers down, plunging into the resin.
Industrial SLA with table bottom
This arrangement is traditionally used in industrial machines with a large print area. The only inconvenience is that the bath must always be filled with a photopolymer. And when changing the type of resin, you will have to completely drain the entire photopolymer and thoroughly wash the bath.
Pros
-
Large selection of consumables. Due to the growing popularity of photopolymer printing, many specific resins have appeared - from soft flexes to photopolymers with increased strength characteristics (for example, there is a very strong, biocompatible photopolymer for making temporary dental crowns).
Cons
-
Expensive consumables.
Printing example
Cardiac muscle printed on Formlabs Form 3
SLA printed rings
Prototype Spoon
Butterfly figurine printed on Formlabs Form 3
Technical model
Snow shovel prototype. Made on Formlabs Form 3L
Top SLA printers
The leader in the production of SLA printers is Formlabs. In the Formlabs lineup, you can find both small desktop models and professional machines with a large print area.
Form 3
Formlabs Form 3
Specifications:
-
XY resolution: 25 µm
-
Laser spot size: 85 µm
-
Laser power: One 250mW laser
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Working area size: 14.5×14.5×18.5cm
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Layer thickness: 25 – 300 µm
This printer can be compared to a small professional machine. Despite its small dimensions, it can easily cope with the most complex models.
Formlabs Form 3L
Formlabs Form 3L vs. Form 3
-
XY resolution: 25 µm
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Laser spot size: 85 µm
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Laser power: One 250mW laser
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Working area size: 33. 5×20×30cm
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Layer thickness: 25 – 300 µm
This printer allows you to print large format models or quickly produce small batches of products.
With the advent of faster and cheaper technologies, SLA printers have become less popular. They are mainly used in industries with high requirements for quality and print stability.
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DLP
DLP technology is based on the principles of SLA, but instead of a laser, a projector is used as a source of UV radiation.
How it works
The material used is photopolymer resin, but unlike SLA, the light source is not a beam, but a DLP projector. This significantly speeded up printing, because the projector, unlike the beam, illuminates the entire layer at once.
How DLP technology works
The projector is located at the bottom of the printer, under the resin tank. The bottom of the container is usually made of a transparent, wear-resistant film. Such a film transmits UV radiation well, practically nothing sticks to it, and if it breaks, it can be easily replaced.
Pros
Cons
-
Parasitic light is possible. Exposure of the entire layer at a time can cause parasitic illumination of the resin.
-
projector resource. The projector is the heart of a DLP printer. Be sure to pay attention to the resource of the projector. For example, FlashForge Hunter claims a minimum projector life of 50,000 hours. This is a lot.
Printing example
Batch of DLP printed rings
Ring patterns printed on FlashForge Hunter
Props for miniatures 28 mm
Jaw model made on FlashForge Hunter
Best DLP Printers
FlashForge Hunter
Specifications:
-
XY Resolution: 0. 0625mm
-
Print speed: 10mm/h
-
Light source: 405nm LED
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Working area size: 120x67.5x150 mm
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Layer thickness: 0.025-0.05mm
FlashForge is renowned for the quality of its printers. Hunter is no exception. It turned out to be a good “workhorse” capable of solving a variety of tasks.
DLP technology is used less and less. It is being stubbornly replaced by more affordable 3D printers based on LCD technology.
LCD
LCD technology is the youngest among photopolymer printers. Initially, LCD appeared as a more affordable analogue of DLP technology, suitable for home use.
The first LCD printers had a number of unpleasant children's sores (uneven illumination of the working area, etc.), which over time were resolved or compensated. With the development of technology, in addition to models for home use, devices have appeared that are not inferior in accuracy to DLP and can be used for production tasks.
How it works
The technology almost completely copies DLP, only LEDs are used instead of a projector. Under the bath is an LCD display (similar to the display of a smartphone or tablet), which dims in some places, allowing light to pass through only in the right places.
How LCD technology works
Since the module with the screen and LEDs is located at the bottom of the printer, the bottom of the resin tank is transparent. As with DLP, transparent film is usually used.
Pros
Cons
-
Less accurate. Budget models are good for printing miniatures or figurines, but their accuracy may not be enough for, for example, jewelry.
-
The print quality may not be the same over the entire printable area. Since an array of LEDs is used as the UV source rather than a single light source, the work area may be illuminated unevenly. This problem can be solved programmatically or physically.
Printing example
Small miniature made with Anycubic Photon Mono
Troll printed on LCD machine
Model switchgear busbars made of soft polymer
Castle model made on Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K
Figurine made with Anycubic Photon Zero
Troll printed on LCD printer
Best LCD Printers
Anycubic Photon Zero
Anycubic Photon Zero
Specifications:
-
LCD display resolution: 854x480 px
-
XY Positioning Accuracy: 0.1155mm
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UV wavelength: 405 nm
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Working area size: 97x54x150 mm
-
Layer thickness: 0. 01-0.2mm
Budget model focused on home use. Good for home use.
Anycubic Photon Mono
Specifications:
-
LCD display resolution: 2560x1620 (2K)
-
XY Positioning Accuracy: 0.051mm
-
UV wavelength: 405 nm
-
Working area size: 130x80x165 mm
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Layer thickness: 0.01-0.15mm
Anycubic Photon Mono is already a more serious device. Thanks to the LCD display of higher resolution, it was possible to increase the accuracy and quality of the finished models.
Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K
Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K
Specifications:
-
LCD resolution: 6.1" 4K Mono LCD
-
XY positioning accuracy: 35 microns
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UV wavelength: 405 nm
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Working area size: 134x75x130 mm
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Layer thickness: 0. 01-0.30mm
Mono LCD matrix, with high resolution, allows you to print very quickly and accurately.
Wanhao GR1
Specifications:
-
LCD resolution: 6.3" 2K HD
-
XY Positioning Accuracy: 0.055mm
-
UV wavelength: 405-410nm
-
Working area size: 140x78x200 mm
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Layer thickness: 35-100 microns
The larger working area allows you to make more models at once, and a special UV-LED matrix ensures uniform illumination.
LCD printers are successfully capturing the market by displacing more expensive DLP and SLA printers. This of course contributes to their availability and a wide variety of models.
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Application
Dentistry
Precision is very important in dentistry. A slight distortion of even 0.1 mm can make the painstaking work of making a crown or prosthesis useless.
Jaw model
3D printed aligner
In addition to the accuracy of the printer, the material chosen also plays an important role. It is necessary to use special resins with a small percentage of shrinkage.
Jewelery
The full potential of photopolymer printers is revealed in the jewelry industry. In addition to precision, detail and perfect surface quality are very important.
Ring made of burn-out photopolymer
From model to finished product
Previously, such products had to be very painstakingly cut by hand or made from wax on high-precision CNC machines. Now it is enough to make a digital model and, with the help of a printer and burnt resin, quickly produce the required number of products ready for casting.
Prototyping
Printing prototypes, making master models, etc.
Helmet and other photopolymer prototypes
Prototype housings
FDM technology is not suitable for everything. Sometimes you need to quickly make a model of a future product with a smooth surface, professional photopolymer printers can easily cope with this task.
Hobby
Affordable photopolymer printers have become a great help for miniature lovers. It is much easier to model and print a 28 mm action figure of your favorite hero than to make it by hand for a long time and painstakingly.
Soviet motorcyclist in 28mm scale
“Spare parts” for miniature 28mm
And large decorative figurines are more accurate compared to FDM printing. After the LCD printer, you do not have to sand the model for a long time to smooth out the layers.
Bust of a girl
Modeling
For large and sketchy layouts, FDM printers can be used, but their accuracy is not enough for making small parts. Having a 3D model, you can quickly make a very accurate and detailed layout of a building or an entire block.
Model of the statue of V.I. Lenina
Printed and colored building layout
Summary
Despite all the advantages of photopolymer printers, there are small nuances that are common to all technologies.
Washing the model. After printing, the model must be washed from resin residues. The best way is an ultrasonic bath with alcohol, sometimes you can get by with a glass of isopropyl alcohol and a brush.
“Illumination” in the UV chamber. After rinsing, the model must be “additionally illuminated” in a UV chamber, otherwise the polymer will not gain the strength declared by the manufacturer.