Prices are reducing as 3D printing becomes popular, particularly for technology that once excluded newcomers. Consider resin printing, where the Anycubic Photon M3 has dropped entry costs for this hitherto expensive type of 3D printing.
Anycubic offers an effective, no-frills printer with good output for under $300. Furthermore, the printer has certain drawbacks, including a tiny print area and a lack of network connectivity. The printing procedure is also a little hit-and-miss. Occasionally taking multiple tries and some tuning, as we’ll see in this Anycubic Photon M3.
What will you see here?
Price and availability
The FormLabs 3+, the top resin-based 3D printer when evaluated, costs $3,750, which is just 12.5 times as much as the Photon M3, to put the Photon M3’s pricing into context. These days, even the Photon Mono X, an extremely affordable resin printer from Anycubic, runs between $450 and $550. The Anycubic Photon M3 is currently offered for $299.
Design
The Photon M3 prints using a UV-sensitive resin as a resin printer. This resin solidifies when it is exposed to UV light. The printer then lowers its flat print bed into a resin-filled tray. While a 4K LCD screen acts as a mini TV through which UV light beams. The light is impeded and the resin remained liquid where the screen is thick. The resin settles where the screen is clear, creating a layer of the print.
The touchscreen control panel is on the front of the printer, and the USB port, which you can attach to a stick carrying the various designs on the right side. The sole important architectural complaint is from this port. Designers would like it to be on the front to prevent the stick from sticking out in an inconvenient way. You may need to reevaluate your choice of the 3D printer if you’ve measured your workspace. It has just about enough area for this device since will need a few inches on the side to leave room for the USB stick.
Features
A 7.6-inch LCD with a 4K+ resolution has been used by the Photon M3 (4,096 x 2,560 pixels). The XY resolution you’ll obtain is 0.04mm, or 40 microns. Throughout this case, the lower the number, the better, as it leads to greater detail in your prints.
The Anycubic Photon M3 lacks an air filter or rubber seal, making it imperative to operate it in a well-ventilated space. In addition to sporting gloves and a mask. This is in distinction to more expensive resin printers. If your workshop functions as a home office, you may want to reassess its layout as you won’t want to spend much time there without a mask on.
Printing technique
The Photon Workshop application, which is available for Windows and macOS and is free, is used to produce the print files. The software, which is quite simple to use, imports 3D models in a variety of popular file types and places them on the print bed
However, I found this method to be somewhat unstable. The application may also automatically add supports, which keep the print in place when printing. When the program was used to generate support for our Thinker model. For instance, it left other factors and variables entirely unsupported. That means the print was unsuccessful and bits of resin was left floating in the resin.
Performance
Exceptionally well-detailed prints ideal for tiny statuettes and Dungeons and Dragons minis
The largest model size is limited by the smaller resin tray.
Researchers put the Anycubic Photon M3 3D printer in its paces by printing several common “torture tests,” or benchmarks as you may prefer, using Anycubic’s proprietary white-colored resin. Every instance of the printer’s performance was excellent. The little details on the Americans Town were displayed flawlessly, and our grander creations, like this castle and bridge, were produced even without detectable warping.
Although the structure is attractive, experts advise opening the STL file in Photon Workshop first. Once loaded, use the auto-platform option to lift the digital model off the bed by around 5mm so that it is supported in the air by removable supports. However, if the model should wind up being glued to your development plate. To try to move the model, either take a razor window scraper that might have been able to slip inside, or pour hot water over the plate.
Anycubic photon M3 3D Printer: a reliable 3D printer?
The Anycubic i3 Mega S is a fantastic option for someone just starting out in 3D printing. Even though it is competitively priced, has a massive build area, and delivers decent print quality.
Anycubic photon M3 3D Printer is harmful?
Anycubic Resin: Is It Toxic? A plant-based material called Anycubic resin is exploited in 3D printing. It is dangerous as a resin but not as deadly as certain other resins. Even though the Anycubic Plant-Based Eco Resin has a light scent, skin contact should still be prevented.
Conclusion
The Anycubic Photon M3 3D printer is the best option if you’re searching for a low-cost resin printer to get you started.
Even if you’re a complete newbie, you can quickly install and calibrate this minimal technology. The instruction manual will guide you through everything step-by-step. Although when it says to print the included test model, experts advise against doing it. Users will also receive a mask, latex gloves, and a few printing tools like skimmers and resin channels. In addition to an Anycubic Photon M3. The only item still lacking is some UV resin. But as soon as when users get that, it will be ready.
