Affordable SLA printers

[viejoronnie]

Is anyone using one of the more affordable SLA printers, e.g. the Monoprice Mini Deluxe SLA resin UV 3D printer or the Sparkmaker SLA UV resin printer. These sound like the perfect solution for someone like me that desires a high resolution print with minimal post-processing.

[mattb]

I know nothing about 3D printers except what I read on here. Last week Bangood had a printer for $189. It was the name I see mentioned on here quite often. Ender, I believe it was. May be it is a cheap version of what most guys use, I don't know. Might be worth checking, but maybe printers are that cheap from US companies too, I don't know. Just another source.

[ccobra]

I've been tempted to pull the trigger twice now on an SLA printer but then at the last moment I decide not to. My personal problem is with the resin and the tank. The resin is messy and the tank has a short shelf life. Then my real issue is with support material, its still there and I imagine it would be difficult to remove.

[Junior]

[viejoronnie]

Junior:

Yep that's what got me thinking about them. I like that it results in a nicer looking print with little post processing, except for removal of the support structure, which will always be there on the less expensive printers.

[red73mustang]

I've come very very close to buying an SLA printer in particular the XYX Nobel 1.0 and some of the issues that broke the deal was the fact that when you pour the resin in the tank if you don't use it all it's not "re usable" I don't think you can put it back in the bottle. There's also a great deal of clean up required after every print and finally the resin tanks are consumable at $60 bucks a pop. Not sure how many prints you get out of a tank though. Another drawback of the home based SLAs is the smaller build volumes compared to the FDM units. Not trying to throw cold water on SLAs, but for home use it seams like an expensive and labor intensive option.

Chet

[viejoronnie]

UV resin is definitely nasty stuff and build dimensions for the home hobby units could be problematic.

[viejoronnie]

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[viejoronnie]

I have found a UV curable resin which reportedly the unused excess can simply be covered overnight (away from any light) and still be used. I have enquired as to its applicability to 3d SLA printing and am awaiting feedback.

[BigMike]

I recently took the plunge into 3d printing and considered a SLA printer. I also asked a friend who is an engineer for the largest printer manufacturer about the UV Resin printing. He effectively told me to run very very far and very very quickly. He's studied the chemistry and it's bad news in his opinion. I've looked into some of the MSDS sheets and would strongly advise anyone looking at this to do that before purchasing, then follow up with searches on sensitization.

An anecdote shared with me was that one of the engineers who frequently worked with UV Resins went to a large customer site to look at installed equipment and he experienced a "Threshold Event" and is face swelled to the point that one of his eyes were closed, he was unable to speak, and had to be transported to a local hospital. Sensitization affects every person differently, and comes on without warning, once you have experienced a "Threshold Event" you will continue to experience similar reactions with each subsequent exposure.

I'd love to have one as the detail can't be beat, and once cured it's pretty awesome stuff however, the risks right now are just too high for me personally. If anyone ends up going this route, I'd urge you to read the MSDS on the products used. Use protective clothing, mask, goggles, and gloves, keep it in a well ventilated area and minimize exposure to the materials.

[viejoronnie]

I have found a UV curable resin that according to the MSDS is basically styrene with a UV curing agent. It has the distinct odor of old school plastic cement. It is great for creating simple press-molded parts using art clay with a release agent. It cures hard in minutes in the sun light. Great for headlight/taillight lenses, grills, body scoops,, driver heads, platform drivers, etc. Not sure yet if it can be used in 3d UV SLA printing.

As with any potentially hazardous material use proper protection. E.g., I recently acquired a NOS Cox front/rear variable braking accessory pack, which is actually equipped with asbestos braking material spacers.

[BigMike]

Not trying to thread crap :) just want people to be aware and be smart about using the stuff.

Cheers!