ELEGOO Mars 3 PRO

“If you want a desktop sized 3D printer with this level of detail, a slightly above average build volume, and an air purification system, the Mars 3 Pro is hard to beat.” tom’s Hardware – ELEGOO.com

Technical Specs:

  • Molding Technology: MSLA
  • Print Volume: 14.434cm x 8.93 x 43.85cm
  • Print Speed: 30-50 mm/h
  • Printing Precision: +-0.00125 mm
  • Layer hight: 0.01-0.2 mm
  • Connectivity: USB
Official links:

What is a resin 3D pinter?

A resin 3D printer, also known as a stereolithography (SLA) or digital light processing (DLP) printer, is a type of 3D printer that uses a liquid resin as its primary material for creating objects. Unlike traditional 3D printers that use filaments or powders, resin printers work by using a light source, typically a UV laser or a UV projector, to solidify liquid resin layer by layer.

Resin 3D printing is known for its ability to produce highly detailed and intricate objects with smooth surfaces. This makes it a popular choice for applications like jewelry making, dental models, miniatures, and other fields where fine details and high-resolution prints are crucial.

However, it’s important to note that resin printing also has some limitations. Resin printers generally have smaller build volumes compared to filament-based printers. The resin itself can be more expensive than traditional filaments, and it requires more careful handling due to its chemical nature.

In late 2021 I got into figure / miniature printing, initialy using my Ender 3 FDM printer I quickly ran into a few issues with this approach:

  • Difficulty in removing supports
  • loss of detail
  • “big” layer lines resulting in a lot of sanding and more loss of detail

As such in mid 2022 I invested in my first SLA printer and have since used it to produce many miniutares since

 

The difference in quality is immediately evident to anyone who has seen a resin printer before, Is then cascaded into me getting a proper Airbrush kit as well as some high grade model paints, as of 2024 I have printed about 10 different models for display in my collection and to use at work for demonstrations during fairs, with plenty more planed, As anyone who has been through the same process will agree that there is no going back when it comes to miniatures and figures.

All models shows are the property of there respective artist and were brought on CGTrader

My setup

It doesn’t come a surprise that the needs of a SLA printer are much grater than those of a traditional FDM machine, as such a large portion of my wark area has sine been converted to a SLA “production line” made up of:

  • the printer itself
  • A wash station
  • A cure Station

These are the following machines that make up the post processing part of the production line.

Wash Station

Using an SLA wash station is an important step in the post-processing workflow for resin-based 3D prints. It helps to achieve a clean and smooth finish on the printed objects, which is particularly crucial for applications where precision and surface quality are essential, such as in jewelry making, dental models, and prototyping for industries like aerospace or automotive.

My chice is the VEVOR 0.8l Ultrasonic cleaner

Cure Station

An SLA cure station, also known as a UV curing chamber, is a specialized piece of equipment designed for post-processing objects that have been 3D printed using a resin-based Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer.

Using an SLA cure station is a critical step in the post-processing workflow for resin-based 3D prints. It ensures that the printed object reaches its full strength and stability, and it helps to achieve a smooth surface finish. This is particularly important for applications where precision and detail are paramount, such as in jewelry making, dental models, and prototyping for industries like aerospace or automotive.

My choice is:

  • ELEGOO Mercury Plus V2.0 wash and cure station
    Official shop page
  • 405nm UV lamp for detail work