New AnyCubic Resin Printer - Photon Zero

[C855B]

Hadn't seen it mentioned here (or maybe I missed it):

https://www.anycubic.com/collections/anycubic-photon-3d-printers/products/anycubic-photon-zero

Smaller print volume than the original Photon, less resolution, 50% faster print speed (larger Z-axis step).

But the kicker? $169. Nice way to get your feet wet in 3D resin... uh... printing.

[ednadolski]

Which model is the best resolution for small parts?

I'm thinking that I probably would not need large volume, high speed, or entry-level cost. Rather than foot-wetting, I'm more interested to 'leap in' with something that has the capability to create parts at the detail level that I really want. 

Ed

[Chris333]

For $100 more you can get a regular Photon. More detail on smaller parts.

[C855B]

Yeah, what Chris said. The original Photon is your best bet. It's currently $239 directly from AnyCubic, resin bought separately. It's amazing. Here's an example of the to-scale signal heads I've been doing:



(Sketchy phone focus.) Target and its brace are etched parts.

The Photon S ($389) doesn't increase raw resolution, but it does have anti-aliasing which supposedly yields smoother curves in small sizes. I've not seen a problem with that in my work, the resin process tends to even the curves anyway. The S also has a more precise Z-axis carriage for larger prints if you were going to go beyond detail bits.

Others need to chime-in here.

[CNR5529]

I have a Photon-S and have been getting great results on small and larger prints. There are a few interesting features in the newer firmware available to the -S and updated original photon, such as the 8 zone resin calibration test printing to help select print settings for new resins, the controlled full screen exposure to help clean the bottom of the vat quickly, and of course the anti-aliasing for improved print quality in curves. A down side to the AA though is the much larger file sizes generated by the slicer.

I dont see a particular need for a smaller machine with coarser resolution, when I can crank out extremely small/fine detail parts right now, in a reasonable amount of time.

[Chris333]

I have anti-aliasing on my regular Photon. I add it in the file validator.

The "S" Photon has dual rails and a stronger UV light grid.

All the anti-aliasing is a way to pulse each exposure up to 8 times. You can only turn a pixel on or off. But by pulsing each pixel a certain amount of times you can vary it's exposure.

[RBrodzinsky]

I've been seriously considering making the plunge, and took a look at the Zero, but the resolution really isn't there for N scale details.  So, will probably be pulling the trigger on an S, soon.

Question:  With the current limited supply of iso-propanol,  has anyone tried denatured ethanol for cleaning parts? 

[C855B]

...Question:  With the current limited supply of iso-propanol,  has anyone tried denatured ethanol for cleaning parts?

Not yet, it's on my short list, tho'. I frankly suspect with the near-riot-level crowds in fear mode buying-up anything that they've been told on social media is a preventive (or even a cure), I'm not hopeful to find any at the DIY stores.

I've been saving used IPA from previous rinses for "first rinse" purposes, and have three quarts left of virgin solvent. You can supposedly get the 99% industrial IPA from eBay vendors, but at best double the cost of just a couple of months ago.

[Chris333]

I use denatured alcohol as my last scrub for parts. I think it works better than IPA, but just a guess.