Anycubic Photon

[Mark W]

Table of Contents:

UV Lamp Curing Station: Post #45
3D Printed N Scale Figures: Post #89
Failed Print Lessons: Post #140 & 145 & 163
Printing Different Angles: Post #211
Sample Workflow Breakdown: Post #213
Cheap FEP Film Source: Post# 319

It's party time! 

As some of you know, I finally jumped on the bandwagon and bought a desktop 3D printer, the Anycubic Photon, as reviewed with incredible results by Luke Towan and several others. 
Tracking showed delivery expected this coming Tuesday, but instead I was greeted with the arrival this morning!

So, while I thought I had a few days yet to finalize my test prints, I guess I better get to it now.  I plan to share my experience here for those curious or interested in a desktop 3D printer of their own. 

Here are two of Luke Towan's videos to kick things off while I get my first own Photon set up and ready to go. 

Initial review/tutorial:

3D printed detail parts for a river scene:

[Chris333]

From the Facebook group: Anycubic Photon DLP Printer Owners

You might want to check the tower for wobble and tighten the bearings:

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And some have said the thin clear film under the vat might not be shipped tight. If loose resin could leak, you could just snug up the bolts.

And here is a good start on setting for each type resin:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1crvzMnt_8NJXAsABinoIhcOjE8l3h7s0L82Zlh1vkL8/edit#gid=0

[Chris333]

Seems this resin will work:
Bucktown Polymers EP200-V420-FF
http://bucktownpolymers.com/ep200-v420.html
Looks like a gallon for $99, not sure what shipping costs.

[Mark W]

Ok, first print job is complete!   Not all parts were successful, but failures were clearly due to lack of supports, so easily fixed.  One of the test prints is my N Scale Stagecoach which I will compare with the FUD Stagecoach from Shapeways: 


https://i.imgur.com/hYfEQgb.jpg

Initially, the Photon Stagecoach looks great!  But, I seem to have gotten ahead of myself and don't yet have a cleaning and curing station set up!    
So off to the general store today to pick up some supplies.  Test print pictures by tonight! 

[wcfn100]

How's the smell?

Jason

[Mark W]

It's distinct for sure, but I don't find it as bad as some reviews state it would be.  If you ever had a filling at the dentist, that's the smell. 

It's very easy to work with and about the viscosity of maple syrup without being sticky.  But it is toxic, so I'll be using gloves and a mask regardless.

[Chris333]

With all the chemicals I use doubt the resin would bother me. One place I read how the owner couldn't stand the IPA smell and to me IPA is like nothing unless you get up close and take a big whiff.

Did you get any sagging between supports? If so tilting the model may help that, but that may end up with supports where you wouldn't want them.

[Mark W]

Well... I promised pictures, so here they are.  I'll let them speak for themselves because I just want to go play with my new favorite toy a lot more now! 


Ok, I'll add just a little commentary.  Painted stagecoach is Shapeway's FUD.  The other is the newly printed resin.  Pretty much identical level of detail (if not for the cell phone pic, I'll get DSLR pics after primer)

https://i.imgur.com/P8tVBRP.jpg


This one was a partial failure with the supports on the left side, but aside from that the detail is again identical to FUD from Shapeways (it looks a little blurry because it's still wet with IPA)
The resin is also much much less brittle than FUD!  (Still fragile, but you don't have to be afraid to breath around them like with FUD)

https://i.imgur.com/uWz97e7.jpg


The other prints had more support issues, so clearly a learning curve.  I did use Netfabb to manually place the all supports myself, and I can clearly see what the issues was from the failed results, and they should be a pretty simple fix.  Maybe I'll also run a plate with the Photon Slicer's automatic supports for comparison. 

But the detail is most certainly there!

[John]

This one was a partial failure with the supports on the left side, but aside from that the detail is again identical to FUD from Shapeways (it looks a little blurry because it's still wet with IPA)
The resin is also much much less brittle than FUD!  (Still fragile, but you don't have to be afraid to breath around them like with FUD)

https://i.imgur.com/uWz97e7.jpg


The other prints had more support issues, so clearly a learning curve.  I did use Netfabb to manually place the all supports myself, and I can clearly see what the issues was from the failed results, and they should be a pretty simple fix.  Maybe I'll also run a plate with the Photon Slicer's automatic supports for comparison. 

But the detail is most certainly there!

The new design of the wheels looks promising

[rodsup9000]

   After seeing the prints that Mark has done, I just ordered one with a liter of transparent yellow resin from 3D Printers Bay for $468.
   Mark, what CAD do you use???

[Mark W]

Dang, that's a good deal!  I paid 465 and only got the standard 250ml. 

I use Autodesk Maya for my 3D modeling.  It's more geared to 3D animation and visual effects (my major), but it's what I know and have.

[Chris333]

$435 on Aliexpress. $425 in a few day.

It is a bit scary how many people have problems with these on facebook. If yours works they reply with "wait 2 months". And even when tbey do work many get failed prints. I'm talkin like 6-7 people just today.

Is there a warranty that cones with these?

[rodsup9000]

$435 on Aliexpress. $425 in a few days.

It was $418 till I switched the resin from 500ml to a liter. That added the extra $50.

[Chris333]

I saw the $418, but they charged for shipping as well.

[rodsup9000]

 

I saw the $418, but they charged for shipping as well.

Shipping was free