Anycubic Photon D2 - DLP Printer

[Erock482]

Looks like Anycubic is taking another run at the DLP market. Specs show it as bigger than the Ultra that came out last year on a seemingly limited run.

https://www.anycubic.com/pages/photon-d2?sscid=81k6_yebsx&

I'll be curious to see what the price point is here, a higher detail capable printer is on the wish list, but build volume is still a primary concern for me. Leaning toward products like the Mini or Mighty 8K since they are currently the leaders in X/Y Resolution.

[Chris333]

So what was wrong with the Ultra?

[Erock482]

I think it's more of the rapid iteration we're seeing with 3D printing. the Ultra I think was only a limited run, as I've never seen it in stock for sale anywhere. With any luck the D2 will actually be a full scale production item.

Hunting around, there seem to be a few of the Ultra's on Ebay for 599.

[Chris333]

Oh too slow... just released the D3 

[Chris333]

Says it will be released on Sept 2nd.

[Chris333]

It still has a FEP so still has FEP tension problems. Look at the triangle horse thingie he printed:

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You can see waves in it from the varying FEP tension.

[Chris333]

This video takes one apart and shows how it works

[Erock482]

The FEP tension is currently I think the next hurdle to get over with SLA/DLP Printing. I think only the formlabs printers have a method that helps mitigate and avoid it. but nothing really in the hobbyist market that im aware of

[Chris333]

The thing I don't get about the D2. They say it is better because it is so accurate. It is so accurate that the build lines show up nice a crisp. But how is this better when the one they show next to it printed on the Sonic Mini 8K looks much better? I understand they work differently, but looks at 2 models side by side says it all.

[ednadolski]

How does the print quality compare to say the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8k?   Are the prints any more/less prone to warping?

Ed

[JeffB]

How does the print quality compare to say the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8k?   Are the prints any more/less prone to warping?
Ed

According to a review I watched on the Tube, it's slightly better. 

See the review the D2 of it and comparison to the 8K here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-OoGQfG2wY

Here's a short video the same guy did with a quickie comparison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEZCExSCkCM

Don't know about the warping issue...  I have a friend that works for a company that has a few Formlabs printers, which are also DLP, but high end machines, and their prints still warp.

The thing I don't get about the D2. They say it is better because it is so accurate. It is so accurate that the build lines show up nice a crisp. But how is this better when the one they show next to it printed on the Sonic Mini 8K looks much better? I understand they work differently, but looks at 2 models side by side says it all.

I don't know that the D2 is any more "accurate".  I think a better word is "precise" in that the pixels on the D2 are a lot more clearly defined.  The video above explains it.  Both AnyCubic DLP printers are a lower resolution than even 4K printers (the pixel size is larger), but because there's no light bleed around the pixel, the effect is more crisp detail.  Again, the videos explain this.

The FEP tension is currently I think the next hurdle to get over with SLA/DLP Printing. I think only the Formlabs printers have a method that helps mitigate and avoid it. but nothing really in the hobbyist market that I'm aware of

Formlabs machines use a special type of vat instead of FEP, but the vats can only be used for so long before they need to be replaced and they are very expensive, something on the order of a few hundred dollars each.  According to my friend that works with them, these vats are only good for a limited number of prints before needing replacement. 

Not sure why they're so expensive though...  I wouldn't be surprised if they're not that expensive to make, but like ink jet printer ink, that's where the company "gets you" by pricing these regular replacement parts ("consumables" is the term I was looking for) so high.

Not an expert in this by any means...  Just repeating the info I get from video reviews and personal correspondence with those that know more.

Jeff

[wcfn100]

The thing I don't get about the D2. They say it is better because it is so accurate. It is so accurate that the build lines show up nice a crisp. But how is this better when the one they show next to it printed on the Sonic Mini 8K looks much better? I understand they work differently, but looks at 2 models side by side says it all.

This reminds me of when I watched Blazing Saddles on Blueray. The picture was so good, you could tell where all the set lighting was by the shadows. Totally ruined the movie for me.


Jason

[Erock482]

The thing I don't get about the D2. They say it is better because it is so accurate. It is so accurate that the build lines show up nice a crisp. But how is this better when the one they show next to it printed on the Sonic Mini 8K looks much better? I understand they work differently, but looks at 2 models side by side says it all.

I think the "More Accurate" could come down to what I see when I try to print models with holes for grab irons.
For example, to get a hole printed that will accept a .0125 wire I usually have to scale that hole at about .0225 for it to work without needing a pin vise to open the hole up. I do print my holes square as well.
Perhaps on the D2 and other DLP machines, a smaller drawn hole would accept that wire without needing to be opened up with a pin vise due to the reduced light bleed.

As for resolving surface detail, I think if compared to an SLA printer with similar pixel size, a Mono X at .50, it would result in much better detail as opposed to when compared to the Mini 8K at .22. I believe the XY Resolution of the DLP printers is .51

[Chris333]

It is on Amazon now for $830
https://www.amazon.com/ANYCUBIC-Precision-Ultra-Silent-Printing-Life-Span/dp/B0B4QWYBZL

Also Anycubic is having a sale:
https://www.anycubic.com/collections/7th-anniversary-sale

Wish I knew the differences between regular, ABS like, and craftman resins.

[Erock482]

I recently bought both the Elegoo ABS like and the Any cubic ABS like.

Initial test with the Elegoo shows it may like a slightly longer exposure time than the regular stuff (My normal time is 1.4s) some thin details like grab irons were a bit wavy and might be happier at 1.6 or so. It is MUCH more flexible which bodes well for use on truck frames.

The any cubic stuff I haven't printed with yet, but plan to give it a shot tonight. It seems much thinner than regular resin, we'll see if that has any impact.

The craftsman stuff is designed for DLP printers it seems, but I have no idea what makes it different. I think i remember hearing in a video that the resin had some kind of ceramic additive to help smooth the final result.