[ad_1]
ELEGOO is without doubt one of the greatest names in shopper resin 3D printers and so they simply added a brand new mannequin to their Mars line. That can assist you determine if this printer is for you, I put the brand new ELEGOO Mars 3 to the check.
Full disclosure: ELEGOO offered me with the Mars 3 for this evaluate. However, as all the time, this evaluate is as trustworthy as unbiased as potential.
Like most different shopper resin 3D printers, the Mars 3 makes use of the MSLA (Masked Stereolithography) printing course of. That implies that it makes use of a clear LCD panel to masks UV gentle, which cures liquid resin in layers. The character of that gentle masking implies that an MSLA printer’s decision within the XY airplane is an element of the dimensions and determination of the LCD panel.
Enhancements
The ELEGOO Mars 3 comes outfitted with an Extremely 4K LCD panel that has a decision of 4098 x 2560 pixels. That’s the similar decision because the LCD panel on the ELEGOO Saturn S, however the panel is smaller (6.6″ in comparison with 9.1″). The result’s an XY decision of 35 μm — 30% increased than the earlier Mars 2 and Mars 2 Professional fashions. Meaning finer particulars and smoother surfaces.
In comparison with its predecessors, the ELEGOO Mars 3 additionally has a very new look. The duvet now has a tapered, rounded form and the bottom has sleek curves. That visually units it other than the squarer, minimalist design of earlier fashions. The brand new display and form permit for a 37% enhance in construct quantity over the Mars 2.
Specs
The complete specs are:
- XY Decision: 35 μm
- LCD Panel Dimension: 6.6″
- LCD Panel Decision: Extremely 4K (4098 x 2560 pixels)
- Layer Thickness: 0.01-0.2 mm
- Publicity Time: 1.5-3 seconds
- Interface: Full colour 3.5″ LCD touchscreen
Unboxing and First Impressions
The ELEGOO Mars 3 arrived packed securely in a cardboard field with foam safety throughout. Contained in the field was the printer itself, the facility provide, and a toolkit. That toolkit included helpful gadgets like a USB thumb drive, scrapers, gloves, and a masks. However if you happen to’re new to resin printing, you should purchase gloves in bulk since you’ll use plenty of them.
My first thought upon unpacking the machine was that the design can be polarizing. I choose the aesthetic of the earlier fashions, which appeared extra premium to me. However it is a subjective factor and others might choose the brand new curvy design.
On a extra tangible degree, the ELEGOO Mars 3 feels well-built. The enclosure is plastic, however the necessary bits are aluminum. That features the construct plate and whole Z axis meeting. It feels trivial to say, however I particularly appreciated the tactile “clickiness” of the facility button. The touchscreen, which is responsive and simple to make use of, sits underneath a protecting movie that protects it from resin drips.
Being an entry-level mannequin with a comparatively small construct quantity, the ELEGOO Mars 3 is kind of compact. It ought to match on even probably the most cramped desktops, which is good when you’ve gotten restricted house. Nonetheless, I might have appreciated a hinged UV cowl to cut back muddle when pouring resin or eradicating a print.
Software program
ELEGOO features a one-year subscription to Chitubox Professional slicing software program with buy. That is a pleasant contact and customers can all the time downgrade to the free Chitubox Primary when the subscription expires. The Professional model provides some good comfort options, however it’s not at all required and the Primary model will work properly for many.
In the event you don’t love Chitubox in any respect, you may be completely happy to listen to that ELEGOO confirmed it is possible for you to to make use of Lychee Slicer with the Mars 3. That could be very welcome information for these of us who’ve issues about printers locked into the Chitubox ecosystem. I wasn’t capable of strive that myself, as Lychee Slicer assist wasn’t accessible on the time of testing, however my contact at ELEGOO assures me that assist is coming quickly.
Skilled MSLA printer customers will not discover any surprises right here. Chitubox has a built-in profile for the ELEGOO Mars 3 with settings acceptable for many opaque resins. In the event you’re utilizing translucent resin or an unique materials, you would possibly must tweak your publicity settings. In any other case, the usual settings ought to work properly.
Making ready a mannequin for printing is as straightforward as importing an STL, orienting the half, selecting computerized assist settings, and pushing “slice.” As all the time, nonetheless, resin printing requires some trial and error to get the assist settings and orientation good.
After slicing a mannequin, simply pop it onto the included USB thumb drive. Once you activate the Mars 3 you will notice a listing of all of the information on the drive, full with thumbnail previews. Choose the file you need to print and sit again whereas the machine takes care of the remainder.
Printing Outcomes
I carried out my check prints utilizing ELEGOO Customary resin in blue and Siraya Tech Construct resin in grey. All have been printed with the identical settings at 0.05 mm layer top.
Earlier than I might begin the primary print, I needed to degree the construct plate. That is a fast course of because of ELEGOO’s ball mount. Simply loosen the 2 screws, decrease the construct plate, tighten the 2 screws, and also you’re finished.
The primary fashions I printed have been the rook fashions that ELEGOO included on the thumb drive. As anticipated, these have been flawless. Each element was clear and crisp. The surfaces have been easy and freed from any seen layer traces.
From there, I sliced and printed a Pot Boy mannequin from Elden Ring. The digital mannequin itself had some flaws, however the print was good. Some warping and artifacts attributable to peeling forces have been evident, however they have been minor. Points like these are inclined to solely change into seen on fashions with giant, flat surfaces. One also can decrease them by refining publicity settings, reorienting the mannequin, and thoroughly positioning helps.
The subsequent print actually confirmed the strengths of the ELEGOO Mars 3. The STL file was very refined, which resulted in good, easy surfaces. Each element, all the way down to the eyelids on the girl’s face, turned out nice. That is the type of print that demonstrates what MSLA resin 3D printing is all about.
The ultimate print I need to present you is that this demonic warrior fella. It’s at a scale just like the final mannequin, however has many extra sharp particulars and overhangs which are troublesome for some printers to deal with. The Mars 3 had no hassle with this and the print appeared implausible. The smallest, sharpest particulars have been seen and the one flaws have been from the assist contact factors. With a coat of paint, this print would maintain a place of honor on any tabletop gamer’s show shelf.
Conclusion
The ELEGOO Mars 3 is an excellent printer that’s good for somebody seeking to get into the resin world. The construct quantity is modest, however aggressive for this section of the market and greater than sufficient for printing tabletop minis and collectible figurines.
Some, like myself, might choose the aesthetic design of earlier fashions, however that does not have an effect on performance. From an goal perspective, there may be little or no to not like right here. A hinged UV cowl can be a pleasant contact, however that could be a minor gripe. And the one-year subscription to Chitubox Professional is a pleasant bonus.
I would not hesitate to suggest the ELEGOO Mars 3 to a pal and you need to really feel assured shopping for one for your self.
[ad_2]
