New MSLA (masked stereolithography) resin 3D printers are hitting the market so quick that it’s laborious to maintain up. They use comparatively easy {hardware} with quickly advancing specs, which implies the massive producers continuously launch new fashions to make the most of the upgraded elements. The latest mannequin from Anycubic to hit the scene is the Photon Mono M5s, which I examined to find out whether it is value an improve from a earlier mannequin.
Disclaimer: Anycubic supplied me with this printer freed from cost, however this evaluate is as unbiased as potential. Anycubic didn’t pay for this evaluate and these are totally my very own ideas.
Specs
Anycubic releases so many comparable fashions that it may be tough to distinguish them. To see why the brand new Anycubic Photon Mono M5s stands out from the group, you need to have a look at the specs.
- Construct quantity: 219 x 123 x 200mm (8.6 x 4.8 x 7.9 inches)
- XY decision (pixel dimension): 19µm (X) 24µm (Y)
- Max printing pace: 105mm/hour
- Interface: 4.3” full-color touchscreen
- Connectivity: USB, Wi-Fi (Anycubic Cloud app)
- Z axis: twin linear rails, ball screw
- Software program: Anycubic Photon Workshop
Construct quantity and backbone aren’t dramatically completely different from the Anycubic Photon Mono M3 Premium that I reviewed final. The construct quantity of the brand new Photon Mono M5s is definitely barely smaller: an identical in XY, however shorter in Z. The decision is a bit greater, with rectangular pixels measuring 19×24µm.
The large developments come within the type of usability options.
Options
The brand new Anycubic Photon Mono M5s has three options that I believe make it particular: no required handbook leveling, a self-checking system, and a brand new form of vat movie meant to enhance high-speed efficiency.
Not like each different resin 3D printer I’ve examined, the Photon Mono M5s doesn’t require any form of leveling. Apparently Anycubic is ready to preserve tolerances tight sufficient that adjustment is not obligatory and the printer has power sensors to set the Z top. The person can simply connect the construct plate with a single twist of the massive knob after which begin printing. I used to be somewhat skeptical of this, however did not have any points.
The printer can be able to doing a number of primary checks for frequent failure factors. It will probably detect connectivity points with the publicity display, motor operation points, and the quantity of resin within the vat. If any of these checks fail, it is going to notify the person. Nevertheless, this method does not verify every thing. I had a number of print failures and printer didn’t detect them. Extra on that beneath.
The brand new movie is meant to work with Anycubic’s new Excessive Pace Resin, releasing the cured print simply to permit for fast retraction. I will go into element about my expertise with these within the subsequent part.
Testing
Anycubic despatched me a few bottles of their new Excessive Pace Resin for testing, which is what I began with. Anycubic Photon Workshop has a built-in profile for this resin, however solely at a layer thickness of 0.1mm. That profile is nice if you wish to print ridiculously shortly. Nevertheless, the extra frequent 0.05mm layer thickness is healthier for effective element and easy surfaces.
Sadly, my take a look at prints with the Excessive Pace Resin all failed. A small Hyperlink figurine completed printing, however had flaws that made it break aside. A bigger ogre figurine nearly completed, but it surely had quite a few holes and failed across the neck. A number of different take a look at prints failed utterly and simply left cured resin on the vat movie.
However I am hesitant responsible the printer, as a result of the directions have been unclear and I am unsure if I used to be supposed to alter the vat movie out to make use of the Excessive Pace Resin — I simply used the movie that got here put in on the vat. I attempted tweaking the print settings, however wasn’t capable of get a profitable print with the Excessive Pace Resin.
Fortunately, regular resin labored nice. Utilizing the Default Resin profile at 0.05mm layer thickness let me print ABS-like resin with none points. Each mannequin printed with that resin and settings turned out completely.
My hunch is that the vat movie was too blame for my failures with the Excessive Pace Resin, however it’s also potential that that resin is temperamental and requires higher fine-tuning of the print settings.
Conclusion
Total, I believe the brand new Anycubic Photon Mono M5s is a good printer. Its decision is incredible, the construct quantity is beneficiant, the flexibility to print with out leveling may be very handy, and the brand new self-checking system helps to encourage confidence.
I am unsure in regards to the Excessive Pace Resin, however I do not assume that is a matter with the printer itself.
In case you already personal a current mannequin with comparable specs, then I do not imagine that the enhancements listed below are sufficient to warrant an improve. But when your present printer is getting lengthy within the tooth or in the event you’re available in the market on your first resin 3D printer, then I believe the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s is a good alternative.