We’re nonetheless a methods off from the replicators from Star Trek, however 3D printers have come on a great distance in the previous couple of years and the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K is a good instance of what these gadgets can do.
AnyCubic has been within the 3D printer recreation since 2015, beginning out with FDM printers earlier than branching out into resin printers with the Photon vary, and it is spectacular simply how seamlessly the corporate has made that transition. Now we’re getting one other addition to the Photon household with the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K, however what does this printer provide that earlier fashions did not?
The AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K is among the largest printers that AnyCubic gives, with a formidable display space of 38.22 in² ( 9.6 x 7.8 x 4.8 in.). Whereas different printers have supplied related measurement print beds, the Photon Mono X 6K’s actual benefit is within the identify – it has a 6K display, Meaning you are not dropping out on print decision with this scaled up print mattress, so it ought to kick out fashions on the identical high quality (or higher) than a smaller 4K printer. However does it dwell as much as that promise?
AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K evaluate: Set-up
Like most AnyCubic printers that we’ve labored with, the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K was largely a breeze to assemble and get arrange. There isn’t any main meeting required, you simply want to connect the construct plate to the principle physique of the printer. You then merely plug within the machine and swap it on.
We’re assuming you noticed that largely qualifier a few sentences again although. To guard it’s fancy 6K display, the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K comes with a display protector that it’s important to set up your self and we discovered it to be an absolute nightmare, to the purpose the place we simply didn’t put it on. We made a number of makes an attempt following the directions, however we simply couldn’t get the protector to go on with out air bubbles, and the recommendation to push them out utilizing the plastic scraper didn’t work both.
As soon as you bought the display protector on (or thrown it within the bin in a match of rage), the remainder of the setup is sweet and straightforward although. The AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K has a 3.5 inch shade touchscreen that’s used to regulate the machine. We discovered the touchscreen to be correct and responsive, and the menus are all laid out sensibly.
From right here, you merely observe the directions to degree the construct plate after which you may set up the resin vat. All the things is defined clearly within the directions that include the printer, and there may be even a spare sheet of paper to make use of when levelling. Levelling resin 3D printers is so much easier than their FDM counterparts, so the entire course of shouldn’t take you longer than a couple of minutes.
When you’ve set every little thing up, you simply must load a print file onto the included USB drive (or use the included check file). You then fill the vat with resin, put the UV gentle cowl over the printer and set it going.
In case you’re new to 3D printing, bear in mind that resin is tremendous nasty stuff. You must put on gloves, eye safety, and a face masks always when utilizing it. In case you do get it in your pores and skin or arms, wash them instantly because it’s fairly a nasty pores and skin irritant. It ought to go with out saying, but in addition don’t swallow it, and retailer it far out of attain of youngsters and pets.
AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K evaluate: Specs and options
- Massive print mattress
- 6K decision
- Photon Workshop software program wants work
The AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K’s standout characteristic is correct there within the identify – it has a 6K decision. That is to accommodate for the bigger than regular construct plate although, so this doesn’t essentially imply you’re getting higher high quality prints than a 4K printer. So the true good thing about the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K is that you would be able to print bigger objects with out sacrificing print high quality.
The print mattress is a beneficiant 9.6 x 7.8 x 4.8 in. / 24.5 x 19.7 x 12.2 cm, which is barely bigger than the usual AnyCubic Photon Mono X which topped out at 24.5 x 19.2 x 12.0 cm. Extra importantly although, the upgraded display signifies that the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K has over twice the pixel depend on an nearly an identical sized display, which, in principle, means higher print decision.
The AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K’s different fundamental get together trick is that it prints rapidly. The figures that AnyCubic offers are round 8 cm/hr. / 3.15 in./hr, and whereas this does differ largely primarily based on what you’re printing and what print settings you’re utilizing, we did discover that the 6K printed faster than earlier fashions that we have used.
The software program that comes with the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K is Photon Workshop, AnyCubic’s proprietary software program. It’s comparatively straightforward to make use of, although we did have just a few points with it repeatedly crashing when attempting to hole out giant fashions. We checked across the AnyCubic boards and crashes appear to be a comparatively widespread grievance. Fortuitously, you don’t have to make use of this software program, with many AnyCubic followers preferring to obtain Chitubox to make use of for orientation, hollowing, and assist creation, then simply slicing the file with Photon Workshop to keep away from the problems. It’s a repair, however the reality it’s wanted in any respect is disappointing.
AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K evaluate: Print high quality and velocity
- Massive print mattress is nice for large fashions (or a great deal of small ones)
- Print high quality is excessive
- Prints quick, however not as quick as claimed
To place the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K via its paces, we ran it via a number of prints of various sorts and sizes. We began out with the check file, which was a wireframe dice with the Anycubic brand displayed contained in the dice. It’s a really spectacular trying piece of structure that reveals you what resin 3D printers can do.
It’s additionally a great check of the accuracy of the print, because the dice itself is scaled to be precisely 35mm alongside all its edges. We examined this with a set of digital calipers and located that it was disappointingly off, measuring in at 34mm on all sides. We printed it twice and received the identical consequence, so we expect that is truly a difficulty with the digital mannequin reasonably than the printer.
Hackster famous in its evaluate that it’s the identical check mannequin that got here with the unique Mono X, however scaled down. All of our different prints got here out on the right measurement when measured, so this simply appears to be an oversight on the equipped check print (which might’t be modified in Photon Workshop because it’s a pre-sliced file).
After that, we determined to check out the bigger print mattress on the Mono X 6K by filling it up with fashions. As resin 3D printers are massively fashionable amongst wargaming and roleplaying recreation followers, we ran a check print of 28mm fashions and items from Anvil Industries’ Republic Grenadiers set. We managed to comfortably match considered one of every bit from the set on the construct plate, they usually all printed off splendidly, with crisp particulars and no noticeable errors.
Lastly, we printed off a single bigger mannequin to see how the Mono X 6K dealt with itself. Mass Impact followers will recognise this print as Mordin Solus, a fan favourite character who has been faithfully recreated by Mini Monster Mayhem.
Right here, we’re trying to check AnyCubic’s claims that the Mono 6K can print a typical 4.7” mannequin in 1.5 hours. Our Mordin fell far wanting that, taking 7 hours to finish. You would possibly hit these claimed speeds with the proper mannequin and by tweaking the settings, however out of the field, these should not the outcomes we received. Regardless of this, the Mono 6K does print sooner than earlier fashions we’ve examined, in order that’s nonetheless a step up.
Total, we discovered printing with the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K to be a dream. It’s straightforward to make use of, prints nice miniatures, and it even prints somewhat sooner than different LCD resin printers on the market, even when it falls wanting it’s personal velocity claims.
AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K evaluate: Worth and guarantee
- $659
- 12 month guarantee (3 months for display)
The AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K costs $659 if purchased straight from AnyCubic. It’s additionally out there on Amazon, and by way of AnyCubic’s official eBay. We anticipate that inventory points ought to resolve themselves now that the launch interval and Christmas rush have handed.
On the guarantee aspect of issues, AnyCubic’s commonplace guarantee for 3D printers is a 12-month guarantee on all elements, besides the LCD display, which is just lined for 3 months. It is a little disappointing because the display is the core of the printer. Higher ensure you do not mess up placing the display protector on like we did.
Must you purchase the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K?
In case you’re out there for a resin 3D printer with a big print mattress that may kick out top quality prints, the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K is a good selection. It’s nicely constructed and competitively priced in opposition to different manufacturers choices just like the Elegoo Saturn (and the upcoming Elegoo Saturn 6K).
In case you’ve already received an honest sized 4K printer and also you’re contemplating upgrading although, then you must actually solely chunk if you happen to want that bigger print mattress, since you’re solely taking a look at a really minor bump in print high quality. The included software program is okay when it’s not crashing, however yow will discover different software program on the market to run the Mono 6K, in order that’s extra of an annoyance than a purpose to not purchase. It additionally runs a bit loud, which is one thing to think about in case your 3D printer set-up is inside earshot of your lounge or bed room.