I hadn’t been so excited to get my fingers on a brand new machine in years, however did the eufyMake UV Printer E1 reside as much as my hopes or depart me disenchanted? Learn on to study all about this distinctive machine and my emotions about it.
What is that this? What’s UV printing?
I’ll admit that these have been the primary questions I had when eufyMake reached out and requested if I wished to evaluate their new UV printer. I think about myself to be extraordinarily well-versed in every thing associated to maker know-how, however UV printing is a novel course of that one usually solely sees in skilled print outlets. This machine, being designed for prosumers and hobbyists, is one thing fully new.
The easiest way to grasp UV printing, in my view, is to consider it like a cross between 2D inkjet printer and 3D resin printing. The eufyMake UV Printer E1 can print in full shade immediately onto any kinda arduous object with a principally flat floor, and it will probably do this whereas add texture and 3D reduction.
That’s potential as a result of the jets are spitting out particular ink that cures when uncovered to UV mild, much like the resin in an MSLA 3D printer. And, like a 3D printer, it will probably construct up these layers to create 3D results.
It doesn’t change 3D printing or something like that, because the variation between the bottom and highest factors must be lower than 5mm. However that’s in full shade and there are a lot of inventive potentialities for this know-how.
What are you able to print on? DTO? DTF?
No, I’m not hitting on you. DTF means “direct-to-film” and DTO imply “direct-to-object.”
DTF is once you print onto movie, such as you may do for a sticker or a vinyl wrap. DTO is once you print onto an object with none type of middleman step. Historically, DTO has been utilized by skilled print outlets to place logos on espresso mugs and art work onto canvas or steel panels.
You possibly can completely do stuff like that with the eufyMake UV Printer E1 (that’s a serious promoting level, in any case), however I feel there may be a lot extra potential for folks with the creativity and talent to assume exterior the field.
The chances are just about countless, as a result of you possibly can print on something strong that’s a minimum of pretty flat. The specs say that it must be flat to inside about 2mm, which is numerous wiggle room.
As you’ll see within the testing part of this evaluate, I attempted printing on plenty of various things and it at all times labored.
There’s additionally a rotary attachment, so you possibly can print on cylindrical issues like water bottles.
Is that this like these handheld inkjet printers?
A number of years in the past, I bought a tool from TheGodThings (bizarre alternative for a model identify) known as the PrinCube. It was, primarily, an inkjet print head in handheld kind. The concept was that you might print in full-color onto something. I bought it as a result of I wished so as to add logos and labels to 3D-printed issues I made.
This factor was such a disappointment
I imagine there have been comparable units bought by a number of different corporations. However the level is that it sounds type of just like the eufyMake UV Printer E1, proper?
I used to be fearful about that, as a result of the PrinCube sucked. It was a very terrible product. The promoting was a lie and there have been few issues you might print onto efficiently. On most supplies, the ink would simply smear. My PrinCube has been sitting in a field for half a decade, as a result of I couldn’t convey myself to promote it to and put that frustration on anybody else.
Happily, the eufyMake UV Printer E1 is in no way like that, which must be a reduction to those that have been questioning. Whereas they each spray out ink with a print head, that’s just about the one similarity. The eufyMake UV Printer E1 cures the sprayed ink instantly, so it doesn’t smear. It’s by no means “moist,” so to talk, as a result of the machine performs a curing move proper after a spraying move.
It could put logos on 3D-printed plastic elements!
Who’s eufyMake?
That identify may sound a bit acquainted to you. “eufyMake” is a rebranding of AnkerMake, which made the M5 and M5C 3D printers. So far as I can inform, these printers have been discontinued.
AnkerMake was an Anker model, which you in all probability know for his or her chargers and batteries. eufy is one other Anker model with a deal with know-how for the house. I’ve certainly one of their robotic vacuums, as an example.
I truly reviewed the AnkerMake M5C 3D printer and wasn’t in any respect impressed with it — one thing I used to be vocal about and that plenty of followers discovered upsetting. My opinion was that the M5C was mediocre for the worth and that AnkerMake dramatically overpromised on the capabilities of the AI digital camera.
However I made a decision to depart that previously and to strategy the evaluate of the eufyMake UV Printer E1 with an open thoughts.
What’s the competitors like?
This machine is a giant deal as a result of there isn’t any competitors. That is the primary product of its sort to hit the market.
The overwhelming majority of UV printers are huge, skilled machines supposed for print outlets or manufacturing in giant portions. A cursory search reveals that they have a tendency to price a minimum of $20,000.
All the pieces else I can discover that is perhaps extra accessible to hobbyists and prosumers is questionable. Some Vevor machines come up in searches, however I don’t see these on the precise Vevor web site. Different machines can solely print on movie. And all of them are the type of generic, brandless (or white label) designs that savvy customers are inclined to keep away from.
Extra importantly, all of them lack the user-friendly options of the eufyMake UV Printer E1. Although I do assume these options is usually a double-edged sword, so let’s speak about them.
Options
DTO and DTF UV printing know-how will not be, by itself, significantly groundbreaking. Many of the innovation with the eufyMake UV Printer E1 is in making that know-how inexpensive and user-friendly for the patron market, whereas becoming all of that functionality into a comparatively small package deal that may reside on a desktop.
With the facet panels folded up, the eufyMake UV Printer E1 is roughly the identical dimension as a carry-on suitcase. Once you fold the facet panels down, it clearly takes up extra room. The Customary Flatbed is 330×420mm and the Mini Flatbed is 330×90mm. The latter is an effective choice if you wish to take the machine to someplace like a craft honest, because the Mini Flatbed suits fully within the machine.
That is with the usual flatbed.
The digital camera is, arguably, crucial characteristic for making this printer user-friendly. It permits you to see the mattress and any objects, so you possibly can place your designs precisely the place you need them to go. With out the digital camera, positioning designs can be actually tough.
That digital camera works with the smartphone app and desktop software program. You need to use these to get discover designs created by others (search for those I made!), put together your individual designs, arrange print jobs, and so forth.
The software program makes very heavy use of AI, which I feel will likely be considerably controversial. There are AI options to create art work, which is a complete can of worms with ambiguous copyright possession. However there are additionally AI options that will help you generate the peak maps for including 3D textures to prints. One, for instance, creates synthetic brush strokes to make the print appear like an actual portray. One other helps with the creation of “mild portray” prints backlit to glow in a satisfying means.
Ink cartridges and costs
Let’s discuss ink. This makes use of a CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key [black]) shade system, plus white and gloss. The white is often to supply a base on darkish surfaces and to construct up 3D reliefs. The gloss is to present the prints a pleasant end.
All of these inks are available in 100ml cartridges. There’s additionally a further cartridge particularly for cleansing the jets.
For my part, these cartridges are prone to be the largest grievance with the eufyMake UV Printer E1. They need to be simpler to deal with than conventional UV ink bottles and can cut back upkeep, however they’re costly.
eufyMake says that an ink package will price $299 and that can embody all the CMYK colours, white, gloss, and the cleansing cartridge. Ignoring the cleansing cartridge, that works out to about $0.50 per milliliter. Bottles of UV ink for skilled printers, then again, work out to round $0.08 per milliliter. Subsequently, eufyMake ink cartridges are about six instances dearer (although that does embody the cleansing cartridge).
This is identical mannequin we noticed (and proceed to see) within the client inkjet printing market and other people hate it. I’ll allow you to determine how a lot that issues to you.
However hey, that is Hackster and possibly certainly one of our members will provide you with a solution to refill the cartridges.
First impressions
I used to be very excited when the package deal confirmed up at my door and I began unboxing instantly. All the pieces was packed very properly and the packaging appears to be like good — barely extra “premium” feeling than is typical.
Unpacking and arrange have been straightforward sufficient, with out something difficult or difficult. You simply set up the cartridges and flatbed, let the machine calibrate itself, hyperlink it within the app, after which begin printing. The automated calibration and priming process is pretty sluggish, however I used to be in all probability printing inside an hour.
The eufyMake UV Printer E1 feels well-made, with high quality supplies. It’s sturdy and although there may be plenty of plastic, it doesn’t really feel low cost in any respect. Nevertheless, I don’t love the shiny black plastic, as a result of it attracts mud and fingerprints like loopy. Inside 24 hours, the highest cowl (across the ink cartridges) appeared downright soiled. That isn’t significantly vital, in fact, however it’s value mentioning.
Getting my first print began was fairly straightforward. The software program is easy sufficient to grasp and normal flat prints are easy. Simply seize a snapshot of the flatbed, select or add a design picture, place it, choose the print settings (you often need White>CMYK), then begin!
These flat prints are fairly quick, too. Not as quick as an inkjet printer, however most small objects often solely take a couple of minutes. It’s once you get into 3D textures and reliefs that print instances get actually lengthy (usually a number of hours).
Talking of, establishing these textured print jobs is rather a lot trickier. There are a number of strategies for doing so and most of them depend on AI. There are numerous AI instruments they usually work in numerous methods, however all of them try and mechanically create textures/reliefs and achieve this with various success.
For those who’re the kind of one that needs full management over every thing (I actually am), you’ll need to place in additional work.
Creating 3D textures
The easiest way I discovered to manually create textured prints was to make use of vector art work with layers. In eufyMake Studio, you possibly can then set a particular peak for every layer.
I did that to print a donut onto a forty five vinyl document — in all probability my favourite piece amongst my assessments. I wished the frosting to take a seat above the donut, after which sprinkles to take a seat above the frosting.
To realize that, I began with an overhead picture of the donut. Then I stretched/warped that picture to make the middle gap large enough to go across the label on the document. Subsequent, I used Inkscape to do an “picture hint” operation and simplify the picture all the way down to vectors (20 colours). Lastly, in eufyMake Studio, I set a peak for every of these vectors.
It turned out nice!
Nevertheless, that’s extra of a 2.5D design than a full 3D design. The perfect solution to create true 3D textures can be with one thing like a grayscale peak map. Sadly, eufyMake Studio doesn’t at present assist that. However my contact informed me that they are going to be updating the software program quickly to permit one thing alongside these traces.
Within the meantime, we’ll must depend on the AI options or 2.5D vector art work. The AI options are hit-or-miss in my expertise. They do create 3D textures, however whether or not that appears the way you count on is as much as likelihood.
The AI can do very bizarre issues generally, like turning my canine and me into …this
And making an attempt isn’t free. To make use of these AI options, you should use credit. These credit price cash and also you’ll must maintain shopping for them to maintain utilizing the AI options.
For that cause, I imagine it’s completely essential that eufyMake Studio get an replace for strong guide texturing instruments instantly. They’ll maintain the AI options for those that need them and are okay with paying for them, however the remainder of us will demand another.
Testing
Within the time for the reason that eufyMake UV Printer E1 confirmed up at my door, I’ve been working as many print jobs as I can. I’ve printed on all types of issues: canvas, wooden, ceramic magnets, ceramic coasters, PCBs, sticker movie, steel bottles, plastic, 3D-printed plastic, steel, cardboard, and paper.
It labored on every thing and I attempted all types of designs, too. Lots of them my very own and a few of them from the library within the eufyMake Studio software program.
For instance, I put the Hackster brand, The Maker’s Toolbox banner, and the Serial Hobbyism (my YouTube channel) brand on a bunch of stuff.
I additionally printed extra “inventive” items, like this practice Zippo lighter.
And this canvas “portray” of my canine and me, which is a photograph that was made to appear like an oil portray.
I additionally printed this dashing fella onto a telephone case.
I wished to check the UV resistance of prints, so I left this sitting exterior within the intense Phoenix solar for per week. It held up simply tremendous with none noticeable degradation in that point.
In all of my testing, I solely bumped into a problem as soon as. That was after I was printing on that Zippo and, for some cause, the white ink simply stopped working. I ran it by means of cleansing cycles and even changed the white cartridge with out luck. Ultimately, I power-cycled the printer and informed it to undergo the ink injection course of and that labored — although I am unsure why or what the issue was.
Stickers and DTF printing
DTF printing for, say, making stickers is a particular course of. You print onto paper movie with a layer adhesive, spraying the ink onto the adhesive. Then you definately run that by means of a eufyMake lamination machine, which applies a layer of clear plastic movie onto the highest (so the UV ink is between the adhesive and the clear movie).
After that, you need to use scissors or the supplied paper cutter thingy to trim off the surplus. Then, once you’re prepared to stay the sticker on one thing, you simply peel off the white paper backing.
Right here you possibly can see the place I tried to place a sticker with my Serial Hobbyism brand onto my automotive. I did a poor job with the applying, however you get the thought. It’s a bit like vinyl and also you need to keep away from bubbles.
I feel this sticker performance is a neat bonus, however it isn’t the primary enchantment of the eufyMake UV Printer E1 for me. You can also make good vinyl stickers with a $300 Cricut machine and even full-color stickers with any previous inkjet printer. However the UV printing offers you full-color and, in concept a minimum of, higher long-term resistance to fading.
There are different makes use of instances for DTF printing, akin to making banners. eufyMake will even have an adjunct for printing actually lengthy sheets of movie. However I didn’t get that accent and so I wasn’t capable of take a look at it.
Rotary printing
The opposite notable accent is the rotary printing attachment, which helps you to print onto cylindrical issues, akin to water bottles and mugs. It’s well-made and work simply tremendous with official eufyMake “clean” objects.
Sadly, it’s fairly restricted on what sizes and shapes it will probably accommodate. The design of the drive wheels and rollers prevents you from inserting something that isn’t the appropriate form: a cylinder open on one facet, with a large “mouth” and a minimum of principally straight sides.
I grabbed a handful of bottles and different cylindrical objects from the thrift retailer to check, however discovered that none of them match on the rotary printing attachment. Although, to be honest, I’m certain I may discover lots now that I do know what to search for.
I am additionally going to look into designing a modification that may permit for extra shapes, so comply with me in the event you’re concerned with that.
All of that mentioned, the rotary printing attachment didn’t have any issues with the objects supplied by eufyMake.
I do have one remaining gripe, although: the digital camera doesn’t work with the rotary printing attachment. So, you must be very cautious with positioning. You possibly can see right here how I messed that up after I printed The Maker’s Toolbox banner onto this bottle.
Issues I like
Total, I feel the eufyMake UV Printer E1 is absolutely superior and I plan to get rather a lot of use out of it. There’s simply a lot potential for creativity and I have already got an extended checklist of issues I need to make with it. I’m even contemplating establishing a sales space at a craft honest to promote some stuff.
I really like you can print on something, in full-color. It’s like what I wished from the PrinCube, and it truly works.
And the 3D texture capabilities characterize a heaping pile of icing on high. It could make printed art work appear like it was truly painted, as with that image of my canine and me. And it will probably add a brand new inventive dimension to a bit, as with the donut I printed onto the document.
The digital camera is superior and, after calibration, is fairly darn correct. I printed some emojis onto pennies and you’ll see that the positioning may be very exact — in all probability inside 0.5mm.
I like that the machine itself is enticing and compact sufficient to tuck away, and even to convey to the aforementioned craft honest.
And, regardless of the prices, I even just like the cartridges. They’re fast and straightforward to swap with none type of mess. Although I am certain I will be complaining as quickly as I’ve to purchase some extra.
Considerations I’ve
My largest issues are associated to eufyMake’s potential enterprise selections.
The costly ink cartridges are one instance. The AI options are one other. The UV Printer E1 is superior, however enterprise may get in the best way.
What if, for instance, eufyMake goes beneath? Will we nonetheless be capable of use our machines? In spite of everything, every thing has to undergo the app or desktop software program. There’s any solution to load a up a file on the machine immediately.
And what if providers for the AI options go down? Will we not be capable of create 3D textures anymore?
These issues are speculative, in fact, however they aren’t farfetched. We’ve seen that occur time and time once more when tech corporations fold, leaving homeowners with bricked units. That’s dangerous sufficient for a $300 Zune, however it could actually damage for a $1,500 machine — particularly in the event you’re counting on it to your earnings.
Closing ideas
I’m simply going to say it: I really like the eufyMake UV Printer E1. It’s so cool and is well my favourite factor that I’ve ever reviewed. I’ve had a ton of enjoyable enjoying with it to date and I plan to maintain experimenting with new concepts.
This can make severe waves within the maker group and I feel will probably be a giant success. Even when I find yourself being incorrect about this specific machine, I feel it can kick off plenty of new improvement within the space of client DTO UV printing. The tech merely has an excessive amount of potential to disregard.
The UV Printer E1’s print high quality is unbelievable and it will probably print onto absolutely anything. And people prints are sturdy and resistant.
I’m involved about ink cartridge pricing, in addition to points that may come up from enterprise selections made by eufyMake. However I’m hoping that gained’t be an issue or that eufyMake will present an answer if it does.
If you would like a eufyMake UV Printer E1, it can launch on Kickstarter on April twenty ninth. A “normal bundle,” which can embody the printer itself and a cartridge bundle, will price $1,899. Tremendous Early Birds on Kickstarter will be capable of snag a bundle for $1,699.
However till April twenty eighth, you possibly can put down a pre-order deposit of $50 on eufymake.com to safe a regular bundle discounted to $1,499.
