What is Resin Printing?
Resin printing is a technology that uses light to cure liquid resin into solid objects. Unlike FDM printing, where plastic filament is melted and extruded through a nozzle, resin printing cures an entire layer of resin at once using a screen and a UV light source. This allows for faster and more detailed prints, with layer heights as thin as 0.05 mm.
Resin printing has many advantages over FDM printing, such as:
- Better print quality and accuracy
- Smooth surface finish and no visible layer lines
- Ability to print complex and intricate models
- Wide range of resin materials and colors
However, resin printing also has some drawbacks, such as:
- Higher cost of resin and consumables
- More post-processing steps required (washing, curing, etc.)
- Potential health and environmental hazards of resin and chemicals
- Need for a well-ventilated and protected workspace
If you want to learn more about resin printing, I recommend reading these articles:
- Resin 3D Printing For Beginners: From Zero To Hero | 3D Print Beginner
- Resin 3D Printing – The Ultimate Guide | All3DP Pro
- What Is a Resin 3D Printer? What Are They Good For? - m3D Zone
- The Pros and Cons of Resin-based 3D Printing - 3D Insider
My First Resin Print: The Anycubic Test Model
After unboxing and assembling my Anycubic Photon X2, I was ready to print my first resin model. The printer came with a USB stick that contained some test models and instructions. I decided to print the Anycubic test model, which is a small cube with some details on each side.
The first step was to level the build plate, which was easy to do following the instructions on the screen. Then, I filled the resin vat with some gray resin that came with the printer. Next, I inserted the USB stick and selected the Anycubic test model file. The printer showed me some settings such as layer height, exposure time, bottom layers, etc. I left them as they were and pressed start.
The printer started to print the model by lowering the build plate into the resin vat and exposing each layer with UV light. The screen showed me the progress and the estimated time remaining. The whole process took about 30 minutes.
When the print was done, I carefully removed the build plate from the printer and detached the model from it using a spatula. Then, I transferred the model to a container filled with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to wash off the excess resin. After a few minutes of agitation, I took out the model and let it dry.
The final step was to cure the model with more UV light to make it fully solid and durable. I used a UV lamp that I bought online for this purpose. I placed the model on a rotating platform under the lamp and let it cure for about 15 minutes.
The Result: A Stunning Resin Print
The result was a stunning resin print that looked amazing. The model was smooth and detailed, with no visible layer lines or defects. The cube had different features on each side, such as text, logo, lattice, spiral, etc. The resin print captured them all perfectly. I was impressed by the quality and accuracy of the Anycubic Photon X2.
My Thoughts on Resin Printing
After printing my first resin model, I can say that I’m hooked on resin printing. It’s a whole new level of 3D printing that opens up many possibilities for creating beautiful and realistic models. I can’t wait to print more resin models and explore different resin materials and colors.
However, I also realized that resin printing is not for everyone. It requires more time, money, and effort than FDM printing. It also involves dealing with toxic and messy resin and chemicals that can be harmful to your health and the environment. You need to be careful and responsible when using a resin printer and follow the safety precautions.
If you are interested in resin printing, I suggest you do some research and weigh the pros and cons before buying a resin printer. You also need to have a dedicated and well-ventilated workspace where you can print and post-process your models safely. And of course, you need to have fun and enjoy the process.
The Beginning of a New Journey
My first resin print was a success and I’m very happy with it. It was a great way to test my Anycubic Photon X2 and get familiar with resin printing. I learned a lot from this experience and I’m eager to learn more.
This is just the beginning of a new journey for me. I plan to print more resin models and share them with you on this blog. I hope you will join me on this adventure and see what amazing things we can create with resin printing.
Thank you for reading this post and stay tuned for more updates. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Happy printing!
I hope you found this post useful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below or contact me on my Instagram profile: Frikarte3D Happy printing! 😊
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