Best 3D printer for Macross prints...

[Jasonc]

So this beast of a machine showed up 2 days ago, and I've been spending the last day and a half creating the space for it. This is the Form 4. It has a few things that separate it from the standard hobby printer. It can print extremely well like all newer resin printers, but there is a mixer that is Integra in the vat that allows resins with bead and other filament to not settle. It also has a specific peel sheet that allows for a separation of around 30% less force, and the LCD HAS a ridged top to add to this. It means light supports. It's midsized like a hobby printer, but is a commercial grade. The resin available for it is literally unmatched, but it can use the basic stuff as well. I have several liters of their Tough 2000 (it matches ABS in every way) and one that allows a lot of flex. I'll be printing a few of my designs using the new printer and resin, but if any of you want files printed on it, I can give you quotes on pricing and shipping. I can also look at working out options with some of you, but now that I have a large printer, a DLP small printer, and now one that can print more exotic materials,  I think I'm set on resin printers for a good while.

[Bolt]

I'm looking forward to seeing what this baby can do.

[Jasonc]

On 6/27/2024 at 1:54 PM, Bolt said:

I'm looking forward to seeing what this baby can do.

I'll post up some pics a little later of the parts I printed, but it does do some pretty cool timelapses from the camera. I will say that the latest Preform software that they use for this printer does some amazing work for the auto supports, with breakoff supports that don't leave divets. 

 

 

Now I just need to position some of these timelapse videos so that the best parts show on the camera side. These printed parts are now in a heated cure station, and when I get home from work, they should be toasty and ready to do the final smoothing out.

[pengbuzz]

On 6/27/2024 at 4:54 PM, Bolt said:

I'm looking forward to seeing what this baby can do.

Same.

[Bolt]

7 hours ago, Jasonc said:

I'll post up some pics a little later of the parts I printed, but it does do some pretty cool timelapses from the camera. I will say that the latest Preform software that they use for this printer does some amazing work for the auto supports, with breakoff supports that don't leave divets. 

 

Now I just need to position some of these timelapse videos so that the best parts show on the camera side. These printed parts are now in a heated cure station, and when I get home from work, they should be toasty and ready to do the final smoothing out.

That's really cool !

[The Original Cobywan]

I wonder, are there any of the Formlab's resins that don't work with the new machine?

 

[Jasonc]

On 6/30/2024 at 5:04 PM, The Original Cobywan said:

I wonder, are there any of the Formlab's resins that don't work with the new machine?

 

As for Resin, I think the only limitation for the way the system works in using it in whole, would be the older resins that weren't put in the new bottles that feed it. That seems to be only because they're phasing those out for the better performing new resins. That said, they should still be able to be poured into the tank directly. I totally forgot to post pics of what I printed so far, but I will say that I'm thoroughly impressed with the strength of the Tough 2000 material. I have worked with many other resins, and this is by far, a serious engineering style resin made to work with mechanical properties.

[Bolt]

2 hours ago, Jasonc said:

I have worked with many other resins, and this is by far, a serious engineering style resin made to work with mechanical properties.

Nice!

[pengbuzz]

15 hours ago, Jasonc said:

As for Resin, I think the only limitation for the way the system works in using it in whole, would be the older resins that weren't put in the new bottles that feed it. That seems to be only because they're phasing those out for the better performing new resins. That said, they should still be able to be poured into the tank directly. I totally forgot to post pics of what I printed so far, but I will say that I'm thoroughly impressed with the strength of the Tough 2000 material. I have worked with many other resins, and this is by far, a serious engineering style resin made to work with mechanical properties.

Sounds good; last resin 3d print I got broke fairly easily (too brittle).

[Jasonc]

On 7/2/2024 at 8:39 PM, pengbuzz said:

Sounds good; last resin 3d print I got broke fairly easily (too brittle).

I have this issue with standard water washable and ABS like resin. Anycubic makes a resin called Tenacious that add more flexural modulus strength, and can add a slight rubber (depending on ratio) feel. It's about $70-80/liter, but if you mix 15-20% of it in your resin, it'll fix a lot of that issue.

[Jasonc]

11 hours ago, wolf24 said:

Hi I have been looking for a good resaion to use watt are thoughts on this 

My thoughts on the mixture of resin? If that's what you're asking, it works just fine. It provides great detail, and helps out a lot with making parts not so brittle. You just have to plan ahead on what the parts you're printing are going to do. If you need them to be stiff, then mix them maybe at 9:1 ratio (90% ABS-like, 10% Tenacious). If it's a figure or something you want to be more durable, you can go to like a 75:25% mixture, and it'll help the part be able to bend a bit more, and add some strength and elasticity if you drop it. Most likely you won't feel it in your hands, but it does work.

If you're asking about the Form4 prints, I honestly can't get enough of how great this thing, and its materials are. It's everything one would want for printing ABS parts, as well as ceramic, and glass bead parts. It has resin that can make permanent molds of parts for recasting as well.