Although SLA printers produce superior results to FDM printers, they’ve traditionally been too expensive for the average user. Now, affordable options like the Anycubic Photon UV LCD 3D Printer are making SLA printing accessible to almost everyone. Is SLA printing right for you? Find out in today’s Anycubic Photon UV LCD 3D Printer review.
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Printing Speed
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Build Size
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Precision
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Value
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Design
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User Experience
Anycubic Photon UV LCD Review
Anycubic Photon UV LCD 3D Printer Review Basics
This 3D printer’s sleek design starts with a compact 8.6” x 7.8” x 15.7” frame which includes orange viewing windows on three sides. The orange tint blocks out ambient UV light which might prematurely cure the resin. Inside, important components are made of steel and anodized aluminum in an attractive blue color. The Anycubic Photon UV LCD feels sturdy with no rattling, ill-fitting or unfinished parts.
Using special photosensitive resin alongside a 2K-LCD masking screen, this 3D printer achieves resolutions between 25 and 100 microns for pinpoint accuracy in the smallest details. The build volume is quite small, measuring just 4.5”L x 2.5”W x 6.1”H, so it’s even more important that the Anycubic Photon UV LCD prints with such fine detail. Connect to this 3D printer through tetherless USB thanks to the Anycubic Photon UV LCD’s onboard memory, and control the printer itself through a large, colorful, intuitive touch screen.
Anycubic Photon UV LCD 3D Printer Review Pros
Superb Print Quality
The Anycubic Photon UV LCD’s resolution is similar to that of many high-end FDM printers, ranging from 25-100 microns. That’s already impressive, but prints come out looking even better than those printed by FDM printers at the same resolution. The main difference is in layer visibility and transition. With the Anycubic Photon UV LCD, prints come out perfectly smooth with no ripples or bumps between layers. Individual pixels are still visible under close scrutiny, but from a foot or two away, most people can’t see such small details.
In fact, the Anycubic Photon UV LCD’s results are peerless within its price range. No other ~$500 3D printer on the market can offer such smooth, seamless prints. Even the smallest details, like facial features on miniatures, come out looking sharp with no post processing.
Excellent Customer Service
Anycubic has earned a good reputation in the 3D printing world for their great affordable printers and their exceptional customer service. Each printer sold comes with lifetime technical support from friendly and knowledgable Anycubic customer service representatives. Expect fast, thorough responses to your queries or concerns whether you call or prefer email or social media . These helpful representatives seem truly interested in solving your problem, whether that requires walking you through troubleshooting or getting you a new part.
Anycubic Photon UV LCD 3D Printer Review Cons
Resin Smell
When running, the Anycubic Photon UV LCD emits a strong, unpleasant odor from the heat exhaust. This smell comes from the resin and is only noticeable while printing. Although this unmistakable odor is non-toxic, most people find it upsetting. For this reason, do not put this 3D printer in a small, enclosed space like a bedroom or an office. Instead, you want a large, ventilated area like a garage. Not all SLA printers emit such a powerful smell, but Anycubic Photon UV LCD does whether due to the design or Anycubic’s branded resin.
High Maintenance
Although true of any SLA printer, the Anycubic Photon UV LCD is much higher maintenance than your average FDM printer. In addition to regular maintenance like leveling the print bed, the resin in an SLA printer must be used regularly or else dumped and refilled every time you use the machine. This is a long, messy process that involves funneling the resin back into the bottle for later. Even removing your print is more complicated, since you must use gloves and be very careful. Don’t forget curing your finished prints, too. In all, this is a high maintenance machine that’s more involved than simple FDM printing.
Anycubic Photon UV LCD 3D Printer Review Verdict
The Anycubic Photon UV LCD is an awesome 3D printer, but it’s not for everyone. Beginners should start instead with a user-friendly FDM printer like the Anycubic i3 Mega or QIDI TECH X-Pro . These 3D printers allow beginners to experiment with the basics of 3D printing without all the high maintenance issues of SLA.
On the other hand, if you’re an experienced maker who’s looking to up your game with better quality prints, then the Anycubic Photon UV LCD is a great choice. A little added maintenance is definitely worth it for the improved precision and flawless results you can achieve with this incredible machine. It’s small, so it probably won’t replace your full-sized FDM printer, but for little projects that require pinpoint accuracy and a smooth finish, you won’t do better than the Anycubic Photon UV LCD.
