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Relating to MSLA (masked stereolithography) resin 3D printing, element within the XY plan is a perform of pixel density. To capitalize on the actual fact, Phrozen upgraded their widespread Sonic Mini resin 3D printer with a brand new high-resolution LCD. I acquired my fingers on the brand new Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K and put it to the take a look at.
Disclaimer: Phrozen offered me with this printer freed from cost, however this overview is as unbiased as potential. Phrozen didn’t pay for this overview and these are completely my very own ideas.
Pixel density is the quantity you get if you divide the display screen’s decision by its measurement. When pixels are sq., this quantity is identical in each the X and Y axes. Like smartphone display screen, the upper the decision the higher the picture high quality — assuming the display screen stays the identical measurement.
Now that 4K decision and better screens have gotten frequent, we’re seeing them in MSLA resin 3D printers. However many producers are using the upper decision to extend construct volumes, successfully sustaining the identical pixel density and subsequently the identical stage of element.
The brand new Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K is barely just a little bit greater than the earlier Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K (6.5 x 2.84 x 7.1 inches vs. 5.2 x 2.9 x 5.1 inches), however has a a lot greater decision. The brand new mannequin has an XY decision of twenty-two µm, in comparison with 35 µm on the earlier mannequin. Meaning it could print fashions with finer particulars — a minimum of on paper.
In actuality, your precise print high quality relies on a number of elements along with the pixel density. A few of these, together with how parallel the UV mild is because it strikes by the LCD panel, are very troublesome to quantify. Each producer claims to have the most effective UV mild engine available on the market, however the one approach to understand how properly a resin printer will work is by printing.
Earlier than I dive into my expertise, let’s get the fundamentals out of the best way. The Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K is properly constructed and durable. The physique has a pleasant delicate satin texture that feels nice and hides smudges higher than high-gloss finishes. The UV cowl is a stable piece of plastic in a beautiful orange colour. The linear rails are normal truthful, as is the vat and construct platform.
The three.5 full-color touchscreen seems good and is responsive, however has few choices and settings. All you may actually do is begin a print from a file saved on a USB thumb drive. There’s no wi-fi performance for sending information.
Additionally it is vital to notice that the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K solely works with CHITUBOX slicing software program presently. Followers of Lychee and different slicers are out of luck, until one thing modifications sooner or later. After all, you may at all times create your helps within the slicer of your selection after which export the STL file for slicing in CHITUBOX. I might fairly not be restricted to a single slicer, however CHITUBOX — even the free version — is a stable piece of software program.
I used Phrozen Aqua 8K resin for all of my take a look at prints. Phrozen claims it is a “particular method” that “creates high-quality & extraordinarily intricate 3D fashions with 8K decision.” However I am not satisfied it’s any totally different than the Phrozen Aqua 4K resin, which is $10 cheaper per 1 kg bottle.
I additionally carried out all of my checks at the usual 50 µm layer thickness, although the Mini 8K is able to as little as 10 µm. Publicity time with this resin and layer thickness is 2 seconds, which places this printer on par with most rivals’ present choices.
My first print was the long-lasting rook mannequin, which Phrozen offered pre-sliced on the included USB thumb drive. As anticipated, the print was flawless to the bare eye. Even with a macro lens, I struggled to seek out imperfections and people I did discover may have been from my washing and curing course of.
I then proceeded to print a handful of high-detail fashions, together with tabletop gaming miniatures. As soon as once more, the outcomes have been just about good. Even the tiniest particulars, which might have been a bit muddy on different printers, got here out outlined and clear.
My ultimate take a look at print was the Ameralabs City, which is a tiny mannequin for stress testing resin 3D printers. This mannequin is purposefully troublesome to print and solely skilled printers can deal with it with none imperfections. However the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K acquired as near perfection as I’ve seen from a shopper printer. All the options printed and solely a pair had very minor flaws.
To reply the apparent query: sure, I do suggest the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K. It’s able to astounding high quality at a really affordable value level.
However that high quality does come at a sacrifice and that sacrifice is construct quantity. The Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K is on the smaller aspect when in comparison with most of the new 4K+ resin printers available on the market. That’s crucial to attain the excessive pixel density, however solely you may determine if the tradeoff is value it to your functions.
The Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K is at the moment out there for pre-order on the Phrozen web site.
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