the layer process depends on what you are printing, so I do not see how they can give a specification of 6 layers per minute, regardless of layer thickness. the laser or led source must traverse all the area to be printed. unless this is a rating of a fully covered build platform, and seams quite fast. I have never attempted a measurement of how many layers per minute on the form 2, because it is dependent on what you are printing.
Al P.
Al, so you’re saying the per-layer time varies with thickness or other parameters? Huh. Maybe it’s different for LED UV and laser UV?
Also, I’m seeing mention of washing and post-curing, do you have to do that?
Cliff,
I am assuming this new series of printers works similar to my form 2, in that they build the part on a platform that moves up by the layer resolution each time. how much time it takes to burn in a particular layer varies by the resin to be burned in on each layer.
when the STL file is brought into the support software, it must be aligned for printing. I usually go with the default orientation for a particular part, and the photo below shows that. unlike an FDM printer it gets its accuracy by building the support structure on the build platform, then the part. the only edits I do after the automatic support build is to see if there are supports where I do not want them. some times they can be moved, other times I need to make a very tiny support for a bolt head as an example. this is so the support doesn’t obliterate the detail when it prints
this is a replacement end that I am working on for an AMS car that I am bashing. (more to come on that later)
(https://www.largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_2560/2019%20updates/DSC_4216.JPG)
(https://www.largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_2560/2019%20updates/DSC_4217.JPG)
Al P.
Al: I am a complete noob wrt 3D printing. Why was that wall not printed flat! Why all those supports?
Thank Cliff, I was using 2k for the X resolution, published elsewhere on their site, now dividing 115 mm by 2560 does indeed yield about 47 um…
So perhaps they are both using the same UV LED display… there are probably precious few different ones on the market.
Greg
Cliff Jennings said:
Thanks Greg. Neither site makes comparison very easy…
On the Prusa SL1 page, their specs say “Size of a pixel (Resolution): 47um in XY axes”
The Photon S page refers to it as “XY DPI : 47um (2560*1440).”
So, .047mm for either’s claims.
Jim,
this is the way SLA printers build there parts. if you think about the fact that you a hitting tiny spots with a laser to solidify the resin, there is a slight error in the bottom most corner where it starts its print, so I try to position for that issue. if it was built flat as you suggest it would all be stuck to the build platform. the FDM printers do just that then you have to pry off the platform. it may not be evident with this part but it is not flat backed, and would not print any were near as well on an FDM machine. all SLA machines I have worked with since 2006 build parts in this manner. ultimately with my software you can print directly on the build platform, or position at any angle you want w/in the confines of the build volume. good results are another issue.
hope this helps,
Al P.
Thanks for the clear explanation Al. Helped me understand a lot better. Physics!
Dittoing Jim…
Al, about how big is that part, and how much $$ of resin went into it?
Just curious…
the size is 4.88 x 5.00 x .50 thick at its thickest locations. you had asked about wash and cure, yes I have those. wash is in Isopropyl alcohol. can be achieved manually. the cure would not be consistent if done by other means, as you would expose to sunlight for x minutes and have to rotate the finished part with the hope that you got even UV exposure, which is what the cure is.
The Spec’s
(http://www.largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_2560/2019%20updates/Capture%20b%20end.JPG)
the volume includes the supports. total cost of resin for this part is about $13.00
Al P.
Thanks much, Al.
I like the per-part cost; I’d expect maybe 5 times that from Shapeways(?) Be interesting to get their SLA quote on the same part.
It sounds like you have the Form Wash & Cure? https://formlabs.com/wash-cure/
Another $1200, but it sounds almost mandatory, at least the Cure.
Prusa has this all-in-one unit for $700, https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/accessories/720-original-prusa-curing-and-washing-machine-cw1.html
I’m not sure if I like the idea of combining those functions though…
Anycubic had one, but I can’t find it on their site. But it’s on Aliexpress for $355, https://www.aliexpress.com/i/33042960787.html
Some vids are on YT, e.g.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZa8VRJwVl8
I know, I know, you get what you pay for…
Anycubic released a new all-in-1 wash and cure machine sold at $189, the model available on AliExpress costs $355.30 (much more expensive). You can find the new model on their official website - products section.
Joel Sheppard said:
Anycubic released a new all-in-1 wash and cure machine sold at $189, the model available on AliExpress costs $355.30 (much more expensive). You can find the new model on their official website - products section.
Thanks Joel, I’m glad they started doing the curing station again. Now I’m back to wanting to get that and their Photon-S…
I’m also keeping an eye on it. Unfortunately, it seems that its price keeps increasing steadily. They started selling it at $160, it now costs $219. That’s not so nice.
However, I read lots of reviews (both on Amazon, Reddit and All3DP), and it seems to work great (24 reviews75 stars on Amazon).
