Review of the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K 3D Printer.
We’ve been fans of AnyCubic 3D printers ever since we tried the AnyCubic Photon Mono X and one of their filament / FDM printers, the AnyCubic Vyper. Since then, we’ve had the opportunity to review the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K.
Photon Mono X 6K is the highest resolution version of Mono X for AnyCubic, a polymer printer that uses mask stereolithography to convert liquid resin into hard plastic. We were thrilled to see how this new high resolution printer can produce detailed prints.
We previously covered the dangers of resin printing in our AnyCubic Photon Mono X review, so we assume you understand the learning and cleanup curve you can expect when printing with mask stereolithography and jump right in to the specifics of this magical beast. …
What’s in the Box
As with the Mono X, you get a set of accessories with the Mono X 6K, including metal and plastic spatulas / scrapers, mask, gloves, and all the parts you need to get the printer up and running.
Assembly and Leveling
After unpacking all the accessories, we assembled and aligned the printer. It took about five minutes to assemble, and another five minutes to put on the included protective film. The pre-installed screen protector is a really good upgrade because it means you won’t scratch or ruin your screen accidentally. We recommend that you watch the video on how to install a screen protector because it can be a little tricky and you only get one chance. The process is similar to installing a screen protector on a smartphone screen.
We noticed that the assembly instructions did not indicate when to install the screen protector. You must install it before leveling the bed, or re-leveling the bed after putting the protector on the printer. Otherwise, the Z position will be too low.
Leveling the bed was easy – just follow the instructions. As with the Mono X, the touchscreen guides you through everything you need to quickly level your bed. Here are the steps:
On the touchscreen, press Tools and then Move.
Using the touchscreen display, raise the build plate about five or six inches above the screen by pressing the up arrow. This will happen faster if you first select the 10mm option. Loosen the four screws on the build plate and attach it to the printer.
Place the alignment paper on the securing grid and press the Home button.
Click the Home icon on the touch screen and wait for the printer to stop moving.
Press down lightly on the build plate with one hand. The desktop shouldn’t move at all . With your other hand, slowly tighten the four screws.
Now press z = 0 and then press Enter to confirm. The bed will now raise slightly to give you access to the resin container.
That’s it – the printer bed is aligned.
Build Volume & Printing Speed
The build size of the Photon Mono X 6K is almost identical to the build size of the Photon Mono X. According to AnyCubic’s online tech specs, the build volume in the 6K version is much larger.
The 6K maximum print speed is 33% faster than the Mono X, up to eight centimeters per hour. Remember, for resin printers, the time it takes to print your object is entirely dependent on the dwell time, the number and height of layers, and not how much material hardens per layer.
The New Textured Bed Is Awesome
The Photon Mono X 6K comes with a textured bed, which is a clear update to the bed that came with the Photon Mono X. The textured bed really is exciting. As a result, it is unlikely that your print will have adhesion problems.
You can see the difference between the bed textures on the Photon Mono X 6K (left) and Photon Mono X (right) in the image above.
Print Accuracy and Resolution
Apart from the textured bed, the main difference between the Mono X and the 6K version is the print resolution. While Mono X has a resolution of 3840 x 2400 pixels, Photon Mono X 6K has a resolution of 5760 x 3600 pixels. This means the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K has 125% more resolution than the Mono X printer.
In other words, for every pixel in Mono X there are 2.5 pixels in Mono X 6K. This is a significant increase. For example, see AnyCubic printing on a Mono X 6K versus a competitor’s 4K printer above.
Product Quality
Printer quality is what you expect from the AnyCubic Photon line. If you look at the Mono X and Mono X 6K side-by-side, it’s hard to tell which is which. Same button layout, same cover, same amazing dual linear rail system. The nuts and bolts of the car have not changed much.
This printer sets itself apart from its predecessors with its ultra-high resolution (6K) LCD screen and faster print speeds.
Washing & Curing Your Print
The process for washing and curing your print is the same for all AnyCubic Photon printers. You can rinse the print with water or rubbing alcohol and the cure will be more mesmerizing than ever. While Wash and Cure Machine Plus makes these processes easy and enjoyable, you can wash and dry without using a machine. Contrary to popular belief, on cloudy days, resin prints freeze on the street or in a window.
Final Recommendation
If you’re looking for a resin printer that’s easy to use, quick to install, and unmatched in print quality, look no further. We loved the original Mono X, but if we were deciding which one to buy today, the extra resolution, textured platform, and faster print speeds would make it easier to choose.
Photon Mono X 6K is available for pre-order for $ 599. That’s just $ 100 more than the regular Mono X, which now retails for $ 499, up from $ 759.
Optionally, you can add 1kg of resin and Wash and Cure Machine Plus for a total of $ 838. We love Wash and Cure Machine Plus, which makes the whole process much faster, easier and more enjoyable.
We are not sure what the price will be after the end of the pre-order period, but we expect it to rise significantly. That said, for those of you wary of pre-ordering, we’ll say this machine is definitely production-ready. What’s more, once you’ve made your purchase, you’ll have the pleasure of discovering everything you can print with your new 3D printer.
* Special thanks to FormerLurker for helping me review the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K 3D Printer.
Review of the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K 3D Printer
Review of the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K 3D Printer