5 Best Resin 3D Printers for Beginners in 2022 - Reviews and Buying Guide
Resin printers are handy for their accurate prints and are known to produce different parts with ease. They offer incredible precision, an essential feature that professionals and beginners will find handy. However, buying the best resin 3d printers can be a hassle. Since there are more products in the markets than you may care to know, singling the best can be a daunting task. To reduce the stress of sorting through the endless list of printers, we have come up with a review of the 5 best resin 3D printers for beginners to make your selection easy. Not just this, we have added a few pointers as a buying guide to help you make a valuable purchase.
What are resigns?
Unlike filaments, resins are available in liquid form but are converted into solid plastic for 3d projects. Light from the printer creates photo-polymerization, and the imbalance triggers a connection between the molecules to form longer chains with each other. The layers connect in a way that provides secure bonding for great tensile strength and quality print.
5 best resin 3D printers for beginners in 2021 Reviews
LEGO Mars UV Photocuring LCD 3D Printer
The first product, and the best among many, is the ELEGOO Mars UV Photocuring LCD 3D Printer. Since its introduction, the printer has gone on to become the favorite 3d printer of different users partly to its exceptional capabilities and brand goodwill. LEGO is known for its incredible products that offer a return for every money spent, and not surprisingly, this printer is nothing short of expectation.
Designed with UV photocuring technology, the LCD 3d printer has a user-friendly design and an incredible industrial design. As a result, it is ideal for a professional and beginners with little or no knowledge of 3d printing. The printer's unique ball steel ball design is such that you only need the z-axis to return to zero. With this in place, you can start printing after locking the leveling screen. Apart from this, it features a CHITUBOX slicing software that slices with incredible speed. Plus, the software lets you mark out your model before slicing to save space when you photo cure.
The printer has a large and colorful 3.5-inch touch screen that lets you preview the model before printing. Like you saw in the windows OS, you can get a real-time display of your print via an SD card. It also has an integrated computer board that lets you print directly from a USB. This way, you won’t need to connect it to a computer when you print. It uses 2560*1440 2K HD masking LCD for accurate printing with impressive resolution. Not just this, but it also has a sturdy all-aluminum fuselage and a complimentary acrylic cover for durability and elegance.
Pros
- High precision and resolution
- Smart touchscreen
- Resin-saving design
- Fast slicing software
- Low maintenance
Cons
- The printer can be a bit messy.
- Fumes and smells will give a headache without ventilation.
ANYCUBIC Photon S 3D Printer, UV LCD Resin Printer
ANYCUBIC Photon S 3D Printer, UV LCD Resin Printer is another powerful printer designed for fast project turnaround. Unlike many, the printer has a creative structure that makes it easy to level it. For example, you can lower the platform down to the screen and feel the resistance when the paper is pulled in-between. Not just this, but you can level tighten the screws and adjust as you see fit. Besides, the printer is an ideal product to get by printing for a beginner since most parts of it come preassembled. Since it comes with all the tools you need to get started, you will do fine printing.
The printer has an upgraded matrix UV module with a high-resolution screen and UV lighting. The 2560*1440 screen ultimately contributes to the enhancement and even energy distribution for precise delivery. Apart from this, you can improve the Z-axis stability for detailed construction and a smooth surface without worrying about wobbling. It features a dual Z-axis rail that keeps the bed stable and avoids shifting when you print. The sanded aluminum platform enhances adhesion during printing, and its touch screen feature improves user-experience. Dual fans on the printer also ensure adequate ventilation to reduce odor divergence during use.
Pros
- Multiple high-powered LED panels
- Dual Z-axis
- Built-in air scrubbers
- Simple to use
- Quiet performance
Cons
- The provided USB is not often reliable.
- Some buyers didn’t like the plastic outer casing.
LONGER Orange 10 Resin SLA 3D Printer with Parallel LED Lighting
As in the LONGER Orange 10 Resin SLA 3D Printer, LCD technology uses different LEDs to cure the resin. As a result, the outstanding piece of technology ensures high-quality prints. The technology ensures precision and can print models with emphasis on great details. Plus, it is easy to use and does not require lengthy setup time since the software is considerably easy to use.
Enough said about the technology; the printer has an upgraded UV-LED module that ensures uniform energy distribution for optical path design to enhance prototype precision. Put simply; it ensures an excellent printing result. The plate design is such that it is declined to facilitate resin flow-back into the material vat. This design lets you control waste and how much resin drip out during the process. Thankfully, the metal platform has a beautiful and durable design that won’t wear out quickly even after a long period.
The printer has a smart support feature that automatically detects suspended parts and adds cross-linked grip supports to increase the chances of success. Not just this, but the slicing software is faster than an open-source solution. There is a temperature warning feature that auto-pauses the system when the UV LED temperature is too hot. Besides pausing, it resumes to the normal point when temperatures are back to normal to ensure a safe printing environment. A 2.8-inch colorful touchscreen display allows you to preview your models and choose files to make printing easy. It also supports offline printing since it supports data transfer.
Pros
- 24 parallel LED lighting
- Temperature warning system
- Offline printing
- Fast and easy support
- Easy leveling
Cons
- The fan is a little loud
- Some buyers wished the screen was larger
Creality LD002R LCD Resin 3D Printer with Air Filtering System
The Creality LD002R LCD Resin 3D Printer is distinguishable by its dual fans that encourage excellent ventilation to reduce odor divergence. A small box behind the print chamber contains a carbon-activated pouch that reduces odor to make your work more convenient. Apart from this, it features the latest CHITUBOX slicing software for an enjoyable user-experience. Thanks to the software, you only need one minute to slice a 30MB STL file. A special FEP release film also tightens from either side to make resin residue removal easy.
Like others, the printer has a colorful 3.5-inch touchscreen with leveling features. You can use either of the four screws to level the platform to eliminate shifting and wobbles. The printer has an integrated computer board that lets you connect to print directly from a USB without connecting to a computer. Plus, it has a large print volume to let you take on large and bigger prints with ease. There are linear ball rails to help the Z-axis move without riffling the final prints for a delicate texture and smooth surface.
The printer features a high-strength tempered glass integrated into the screen for durable performance. It also has an all-metal integrated machine body with strengthening frame structures that reduce vibrations. In all, it extends usage without falling apart.
Pros
- 2k Micron level accuracy
- CNC aluminum and all-metal body
- Anti-aliasing effect
- A reliable air filtration system
- Uniform light source
Cons
- The manual could use an upgrade
- Won’t resume print if you lose power
FROZEN Sonic Mini UV Photocuring LCD Resin 3D Printer
We wrap up our list of the best resin 3d printers with the FROZEN Sonic Mini UV Photocuring LCD Resin 3D Printer. The printer is one of the most affordable 3d printers without letting down on the print quality. Unlike printers with COB LED design, it uses a ParaLED technology, parallel UV LD matrix backlight system, for printing accuracy to give you print the quality it deserves. The mono-LCD printer cures resin quickly to improve the prototyping process. It also works for 3rd party resins, including DLP resins.
The printer features stable thermal mono-LCD for reliable performance. As a result, it has more than 2000 hours of lifetime without maintenance. Since it is designed with the users in mind, you can start printing a few minutes after installation without stress. It also supports one-touch offline printing via the touch panel.
Pros
- Impressive print quality
- Fast operations
- Auto-leveling build plate
- Easy to setup
- Stable mono-LCD screen
- High precision
Cons
- Resins sometimes pool on the flat plate.
- The plastic VAT appears flimsy.
What are the differences between DLP, SLA, and LCD printing?
DLP or digital light processing 3d printing technology uses a light projector. The layer shape is formed by projecting light with mirrors. As a result, it is a faster alternative since the entire layer is exposed simultaneously, and the operation is not restricted to one spot at a time. On the downside, it depends on the projector and the pixels available. If the pixels are too large, it will be difficult or impossible to print small details. However, the projector is easy to change as it is less expensive. By implication, LCD printers are more affordable.
SLA or laser-based stereolithography uses a laser that cures the resin to form objects one spot at a time. As a result, it is a more precise form of printing. Unlike DLP, the build volume does not depend on the 3d print resolution. Hence, the print can be of different resolution and size. As expected, SLA is best used for intricate and detailed 3d prints, whether small or big, since it cures spot by spot.
Liquid crystal display or LCD uses light emitted by the LCD screen to directly cure daylight sensitive screens from one layer to another. Unlike printers that use LED and UV light sources, the printer uses mirrors and complex systems to channel direct light into different shapes. It is a popular technology because the screens are not expensive.
Factors to consider before buying 3d printers
Durable parts
Durable parts determine the ease and length of use. Since manufacturers have different products in the market, you should be careful to look for printers with strong construction. For example, products with high tensile strength and aluminum parts can produce tough parts without crumbling. We recommend you shop for the product based on the parts you are designing for tailored correspondence.
Safety features
Although 3d printers are generally well designed, it won’t hurt to look for safety features to know they exist. For example, a cooling or ventilation fan is designed to prevent overheating and avoid accidents. The LONGER Orange 10 Resin SLA 3D Printer has a temperature warning feature that automatically pauses the system when the temperature is too hot. Not just this, but it also resumes on its own when it is safe to continue operation. This way, you won’t risk damages to the printer and the environment.
Smart and high-quality features
While shopping for a 3d printer, you should keep an eye out for smart and convenient features that make the product easy to use. For example, a touchscreen user interface can make a huge difference as it eliminates manual inputs' hassle. Apart from this, you can look for USB support for offline prints to access your files without connec5 Best Resin 3D Printers for Beginners in 2022 - Reviews and Buying Guideting it to a computer. They may not look much; however, these few high-quality features can make your printing experience better.
Brand with support
You also need to consider the brand before buying a reliable customer support system. Not to worry, the brands we have listed above have a reliable support system for customers.
Conclusion
Enough said about the best resin 3D printers for beginners. Feel free to return to the list for a comprehensive outlook.
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