MSLA (masked stereolithography) resin 3D printing expertise matured quickly in recent times and the Elegoo’s latest entry into the market, the Saturn 4 Extremely 16K, is proof of that. However is that this printer entry into resin printing or definitely worth the improve from an earlier mannequin? To seek out out, I examined the brand new Elegoo Saturn 4 Extremely 16K resin 3D printer.
Saturn 4 Extremely 16K Overview
Because the identify suggests, that is the fourth era of the “Saturn” MSLA resin printer from Elegoo. It sits between the Mars and Jupiter traces in each dimension and value. The “4” within the identify could be a bit deceptive, as there have been much more than 4 fashions within the Saturn household. For instance, there are at the moment three Saturn 4 fashions: the Saturn 4, the Saturn 4 Extremely, and the Saturn 4 Extremely 16K.
The Saturn 4 Extremely 16K is the perfect Saturn mannequin out there proper now, with the next decision display than the others and several other different upgrades.
The ten” 16K monochrome LCD has a decision of 15120×6230, which is fairly unimaginable and works out to a pixel dimension of simply 14×19μm — completely tiny.
The construct quantity is 211.68×118.37×220mm. That’s fairly beneficiant and greater than sufficient for the wants of most customers, however it’s smaller than the Jupiter SE. That’s one thing to contemplate in case you plan to print actually large fashions or wish to print a complete bunch of elements directly.
Distinctive options
I’m not going to go over ever single characteristic of the Saturn 4 Extremely 16K as a result of, frankly, most of them are boring. Do you actually care in regards to the UV mild engine? In all probability not.
As an alternative, I’m going to spend my time speaking in regards to the distinctive options that make this printer stand out.
An important, by far, is the “Tilt Launch Expertise.” Elegoo isn’t the primary producer to incorporate this characteristic, however I’m actually glad they’ve jumped on the bandwagon. As an alternative of lifting the construct plate instantly up out of the vat after every layer, the Saturn 4 Extremely 16K first tilts the vat at an angle.
This dramatically reduces the peeling forces because the cured resin pulls away from the vat movie, eliminating stress that might in any other case result in mannequin deformation and even print failure. The tilting vat is the only largest reliability development that I’ve seen in seven years of resin printing and Elegoo was actually sensible to repeat it.
One other actually thrilling characteristic is the “Sensible Tank Heating.” I’m unsure how sensible it’s, however this warms up the resin within the vat to 30°C so as to enhance reliability. Chilly resin doesn’t movement properly and makes correct publicity unpredictable, so elevating the resin to a constant temperature is an effective factor. In my expertise, it solely took a couple of minutes to warmth earlier than printing.
Subsequent, the auto-leveling and built-in pressure sensor are good. MSLA resin printers don’t require frequent leveling just like the FFF/FDM counterparts, however I nonetheless like that the Saturn 4 Extremely 16K handles every little thing. And the pressure sensor is nice for stopping harm to the publicity LCD if cured resin will get caught to the vat.
In actual fact, the printer does a complete self-check routine on startup to make sure that every little thing is nice to go. That checks for points, but in addition for errors. If, for instance, you neglect to place the vat again on the machine, it is going to let you know.
Lastly — and this will appear minor — I just like the construct plate’s fast launch mechanism. I’ve used every kind of printer fashions with completely different mechanisms and that is most likely my favourite. It’s fast, doesn’t require a lot pressure, and locks securely into the correct place each time.
Oh, and the duvet hinges open, which I really like. No extra looking for a spot to position the duvet!
Extra stuff
Earlier than I get to my exams, the outcomes, and my total expertise, there are a number of different issues you must know in regards to the Elegoo Saturn 4 Extremely 16K.
First, it’s appropriate with each the Mars Mate Air Air purifier and the Mercury Plus V3.0 wash and remedy machine. Elegoo despatched me each of these with the 3D printer, so I’ll take a second to speak about them.
The Mars Mate Air Air purifier is a pleasant addition. It pulls air from the Saturn 4 by way of a hose after which pushes it out by way of a filter. The filters are large and replaceable. You’ll be able to set the fan pace to excessive or low, or auto to change forwards and backwards between the 2. The Mars Mate isn’t small, but it surely does a fairly good job of slicing down on resin fumes and is quiet, so I like to recommend getting it in case you’re going to print inside.
The Mercury Plus V3.0 is fairly commonplace for a wash and remedy machine. There isn’t something noteworthy about it, but it surely works properly and I don’t have any complaints. The dimensions of the wash basin is suitable for the Saturn 4 Extremely 16K and the construct plate sits properly on high, for those who like to clean prints earlier than eradicating them from the construct plate.
Should you don’t have already got a wash and remedy machine, I like to recommend grabbing this one. You might use a Tupperware container and the solar, however it is a lot extra handy and nice.
Transferring on to the digicam: Elegoo advertises this as an “AI Digicam” and it factors inside on the construct plate. There may be additionally a light-weight inside, so you need to use the digicam for distant monitoring and for recording time lapse movies. Talking of, the time lapse video high quality isn’t going to win any awards. It’s acceptable, however you actually need a correct digicam to seize one thing eye-catching.
However I’m not fairly certain what the AI does or how properly it really works, as a result of I didn’t know find out how to check it instantly. The advertising materials says it could actually detect an empty plate or a warped mannequin, however I feel that’s it. And I’m fairly skeptical of the warped mannequin detection — it looks like it must be fairly dangerous for the AI to acknowledge it.
Nonetheless, I suppose it’s a testomony to the reliability of the printer that I by no means had any failed prints for it to detect. And it’s most likely higher than not having something in any respect.
Software program
Formally, the 2 supported slicers for the Saturn 4 Extremely 16K are Chitubox and SatelLite. However unofficially, you’ve got different choices. Lychee at the moment has assist for this printer and there could also be others that do, too.
I believe that almost all customers will go for Chitubox, since that could be a acquainted face within the resin 3D printing scene. Personally, I feel it’s fairly mediocre. It really works effective usually, however I don’t adore it. Throughout my testing of the Saturn 4 Extremely 16K, I discovered that the Community Sender utility (crucial for transferring sliced information to the printer over WiFi) would crash loads and require that I go to the duty supervisor to kill the associated course of. Not a complete dealbreaker, however annoying.
SatelLite is one thing new. In actual fact, I didn’t even find out about it till I used to be nearly achieved with my testing for this overview.
It’s Elegoo’s personal slicer and it appears fairly usable, in my restricted expertise. It labored easily, generated first rate helps, and the community utility didn’t have any points.
Should you’re new to resin printing and don’t but have an allegiance, I might counsel beginning with SatelLite. Should you discover it too simplistic and limiting, then transfer to both Lychee or Chitubox.
Fashions and settings
I carried out all of my check prints with the default “Regular” profile. In previous resin printer critiques, I might check a bunch of various settings to attempt to maximize high quality.
However that doesn’t really feel crucial anymore. The default settings, at a 50μm layer peak, are already the right stability of high quality and pace. You might all the time decrease the layer peak to enhance print high quality, however I actually wrestle to see the distinction with out magnification on most elements.
I used Elegoo’s ABS-Like 3.0 Professional resin, in Gray, for all of those.
For the fashions, I chosen a wide selection and also you’ll see images of lots of them right here. I needed a mixture of ornamental figures and useful elements. These additionally run the gamut in relation to dimension and I’ll attempt to embody scale references within the images.
Assessments
To keep away from saying “yep, that one turned out properly” time and again, I’m simply going to provide the highlights reel.
When it got here to floor high quality and effective element copy, the Saturn 4 Extremely 16K was just about excellent. For instance, check out this gremlin bust.
The modeler put numerous effort into the feel of the pores and skin and all of that element got here by way of very nice. You’ll be able to even see the faint veins within the ears.
On this mini, such as you would possibly print for a steampunk D&D marketing campaign, there’s a lot effective element that I wrestle to even make most of it out with my bare eye — the digicam’s macro lens provides you a greater view.
By the best way, he’s solely lacking his arms as a result of these are modeled as separate items.
I used to be particularly all in favour of how the Saturn 4 Extremely 16K would deal with elements liable to warping. That could be a widespread downside for useful elements, which are inclined to have large, flat surfaces that look dangerous (and carry out poorly) in the event that they warp even a bit bit.
This Raspberry Pi case, which I might count on to warp considerably on different printers, held its form nearly completely. I feel that’s due to the heated vat and the Tilt Launch Expertise. The heated vat helps to cut back temperature fluctuations, whereas the Tilt Launch Expertise retains stress to a minimal.
Sadly, helps stay the largest detriment to resin printing. It’s laborious to create helps that break free with out scarring the mannequin.
However the Elegoo Saturn 4 Extremely 16K does enhance in that regard. As a result of the Tilt Launch Expertise reduces peeling forces, you will get away with fewer and lighter helps which have smaller contact factors. These break off simpler and depart behind much less seen scars.
(it is a smaller Gremlin bust than the one proven beforehand)
That doesn’t get rid of the issue completely, but it surely does assist. That’s very true for modelers who take the time to actually optimize helps. That D&D mini, as an illustration, had nearly no perceptible assist scarring.
General expertise and ideas
I actually just like the Elegoo Saturn 4 Extremely 16K. I are inclined to keep away from resin printing days, as a result of I don’t like the trouble or the mess or the finicky helps. However the Saturn 4 Extremely 16K makes the expertise rather more nice.
And it’s at the moment priced at $499.99, which is an absolute steal. Examine this to the Prusa SL1S SPEED, which prices $1,999, and the worth proposition is clear. It’s greater and is able to a lot better element, plus it has many extra options.
Don’t get me improper: I actually like Prusa and the significance of their open-source work can’t be overstated. The SL1S SPEED can also be, properly, speedy. I’m simply making this level to spotlight how a lot worth shoppers are getting from the Elegoo Saturn 4 Extremely 16K for simply 500 bucks.
Nonetheless, I did run into one challenge: the touchscreen LCD (for the management interface — I’m not speaking in regards to the publicity LCD) began appearing bizarre throughout my testing. The colours would go all blue and wonky, as if the inexperienced or crimson channels had been turning off or one thing.
Elegoo despatched me a alternative touchscreen, however I didn’t find yourself needing it. I simply disconnected and reconnected the ribbon cable, and it appears to be working effective now. I’m guessing it was just a bit unfastened. I don’t assume it is a large deal, however it’s price mentioning and I’m simply the tiniest bit nervous that it’ll come unfastened once more.
Aside from that, I don’t have any complaints. The touchscreen seems to be good and works properly. Mannequin previews look nice because of the excessive decision.
It will be good if there was a built-in filtration system, so the exterior Mars Mate wouldn’t be crucial. However that must be small, which might most likely make it much less efficient.
An automated resin shelling out system, like we see on some high-end printers, can be actually cool. Nonetheless, that isn’t one thing I feel is affordable to count on at this worth level. And, frankly, a resin emptying system can be extra helpful. Somebody must get on that…
Conclusion
As I completed up my testing and began scripting this overview, I saved considering “wow, it is a nice printer.” The Tile Launch Expertise, specifically, actually seals the deal for me. I feel each resin printer wants that characteristic and I’m amazed you can get it in a $500 printer now.
The Elegoo Saturn 4 Extremely 16K can be deal even with out that, however the Tilt Launch pushes it into “wonderful worth” territory, in my view.
Anycubic is Elegoo’s largest competitor and the Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Professional might be the closest equal to the Elegoo Saturn 4 Extremely 16K. However the Anycubic is dearer, has a decrease decision, and doesn’t have that all-important Tilt Launch Expertise. The Anycubic does produce other good options, like recirculated resin heating and an automated resin refill system, however I’d a lot slightly have a tilting vat.
So, I’m joyful to suggest the Elegoo Saturn 4 Extremely 16K. I consider Elegoo actually nailed this one. As with the Elegoo Centauri Carbon that I lately reviewed, Elegoo appears to be providing the perfect worth in the marketplace.
And if you wish to avoid wasting cash and don’t want as a lot construct quantity, the Mars 5 Extremely additionally has Tilt Launch Expertise. Its pixel dimension is just like the Saturn 4 Extremely 16K, but it surely solely prices $269.99. I haven’t tried the Mars 5 Extremely myself, however that sounds fairly nice.
TL;DR: Get the Elegoo Saturn 4 Extremely 16K in order for you numerous construct quantity, however take into account the Elegoo Mars 5 Extremely if you wish to avoid wasting cash. Each have Tilt Launch Expertise and I feel that’s now a “should have” characteristic for MSLA resin printers.
