Elegoo Jupiter SE printer review — Large format printing sees a big improvement — GAMINGTREND

I’ve been 3D printing for a number of years at this level. It began with issues like chip clips, substitute plastic elements, and fidget toys, and has spun to date uncontrolled that it could in all probability qualify for a case research of some variety. In Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Center-earth there are spherical boulder pogs – these have been changed with well-painted resin rocks. There are cardboard fences as effectively, now changed with quite a lot of related taste items. Ebook instances, chests, statues, and extra spherical out that sport, which is once I graduated to well being counters for Nemesis, flames, caravans, and markers for Return to Darkish Tower, and a complete lot of organizers and play boards. These days I’ve been spending much more time printing medium scale high-detail statues and portray them with my spouse, Laura. Not too long ago I printed a two foot tall statue of Sylvanas from World of Warcraft for an in depth buddy of mine on my Elegoo Saturn 2 and it taught me so much about helps, calibrations, and meeting. It additionally made me need a a lot bigger printer – one thing that I might make even bigger statues, single-piece sculptures, and all while not having to slice it into small elements. Elegoo as soon as once more confirmed me the answer – their new and improved Elegoo Jupiter SE. After almost two months of calibration and printing, I’m lastly prepared to speak by way of the ins and outs of this unimaginable piece of {hardware}. Let’s make one thing superb.

When the field arrived it put a smile as huge because the printer itself on my face. Elegoo launched the unique Jupiter printer on ‎October 10, 2022. A big grey field with a glass door, it got here with numerous huge enhancements over its smaller counterparts, but it surely was heavy and didn’t actually match the aesthetic feel and appear of their different printers. Nonetheless, it gave loads of of us their first have a look at a prosumer degree resin printer, with an preliminary value of $1300 for those who caught it on preorder. That put it in one of many highest value brackets, and there have been points with that grey frosted glass permitting pass-thru curing contained in the vat, however general reviewers discovered it to be a stable massive format printer. Heading into 2024 we see a significant refresh of this printer, taking the most effective elements of its bigger brothers and some from the smaller ones and mixing them into one thing higher than the sum of each – the Jupiter SE.

Contained in the field is the printer, in fact, although the primary main change is instantly apparent – it appears like a bigger model of the Elegoo Saturn 2 or 3, signature pink hood included. Pulling it out of the froth it’s additionally apparent that it’s far lighter than the earlier mannequin, regardless of having the very same construct quantity and backbone, in addition to a number of new or refined options. The same old bag of instruments is included (wrenches, some gloves, and so on.) as is a USB-powered air air purifier and a pair of automated resin feeding techniques. The earlier system used a kind of trench-type feeding system with bottles together with an adapter to invert into it. This has been fortunately changed with an automated feeding system that we’ll dig into in a minute. To make sure you aren’t having to open a bottle to place extra into it mid-print, Elegoo has included two tube techniques to make sure you’ve at all times bought a spare able to go. These connect with the brand new automated pump system. Past that there’s a USB stick within the field, the resin tray, the construct plate, and a few thankfully-included handles for the massive detachable lid.

One of many first new options I seen is the brand new sample on the construct plate. Slightly than having to take a little bit of sandpaper to a easy floor to scuff it a bit for adhesion, this new construct plate makes an attempt to do the identical factor with a diamond sample all through. After a month of heavy use there have been a number of scratches all through the plate, however no harm, so I suppose the hardness hasn’t modified. The nicest accent you should purchase for a printer continues to be a magnetic plate, so I’ll be headed that path, however as soon as tuned I by no means had an issue with this improved plate system.

Leveling continues to enhance with every printer iteration. Whereas it’s not an ideal system or totally automated by any means, it appears to be extra tolerant to being barely off than earlier iterations. As earlier than, the printer comes with a bit of cardstock that’s meant to be left on the display whilst you run by way of the traditional leveling course of. 4 hex head bolts safe the plate, with a big lever on prime to lock all the things in place. This new mechanism is an enchancment over the Saturn 2 and three’s lock plate, making certain that it stays in place with out the chance of the plate transferring to safe it – one thing I’ve accomplished up to now.

The plate itself is similar dimension because the older mannequin with a printing dimension of 277.8 x 156.2 x 300 mm³, or 10.94 x 6.15 x11. That is paired up with a 12.8-inch 6K monochrome 2.0 COB LED LCD. That leads to a decision of 5760 x 3600 px (51 micron XY), with clear and crisp strains, edges, and corners. I’d be evaluating it with my 8K Elegoo Saturn 2 which is an 8K printer, albeit with a plate quantity roughly a 3rd smaller. In observe, it’s not the peak that proves to be a problem in 3D printing, however the width. It’s uncommon to print an object with a 300mm top, but it surely’s not unusual to want to slice one thing to suit on the narrower width. For instance, the entire gadgets we take a look at printed for this venture had base plinths that have been in a position to be printed as a single piece, the place they might have been both scaled drastically, sliced in half, or angled severely which dangers suction and adhesion issues.

There’s a change whenever you have a look at the rear of the Jupiter SE. To assist delay the lifetime of the display, Elegoo has taken numerous steps. The COB LED isn’t immediately aimed on the glass, as a substitute utilizing a single level reflection contained in the case. This reduces gentle diffusion, which helps with general readability, but in addition reduces direct warmth in your FEP and resin. Moreover, a pair of cooling followers and a heat-conducting copper tube system ensures any warmth is pulled away from the resin which ensures a secure temperature. Many individuals don’t notice that the display is taken into account a consumable, however with this new cooling tech it ought to be so much longer earlier than that involves cross.

I discussed that the unique Jupiter had a tinted glass system. Whereas good intentioned, and definitely giving some nice aesthetics, it created issues as a substitute of fixing them. It added dramatically to the load of the machine, and it made passing remaining prints extra problematic quite than the unobstructed strategy provided by the lid. For the Jupiter SE they’ve gone again to this strategy, providing the identical signature pink plastic lid you’ve seen on their different printers, solely this time with a set of handles included. Previously I’ve bought little stick on handles for my different printers, however these are threaded holes to make sure all the things stays proper and tight. The pink shade additionally retains gentle ingress to a minimal, although I’d nonetheless advocate retaining this or any MSLA printer out of direct daylight. It’s additionally a lot simpler to wash, as an added bonus.

One other enchancment over the unique is the brand new fill system. Slightly than being a part of the resin tray, Elegoo has constructed a pump system for the Jupiter SE. Plugging into the USB port on the fitting aspect of the machine is a brand new pump that may each fill and empty the resin vat. Two tubes and a wire come off the pair of included adapters, drawing resin from a 1KG Elegoo resin bottle immediately into the vat, which may maintain about two liters of resin. It is going to achieve this routinely and periodically, doing its degree finest to make sure you by no means run out of resin. In observe, I are inclined to order my resin in far bigger portions than 1KG, so I needed to hold a pair of 1KG bottles readily available to refill. Sadly each producer makes use of a distinct thread sort, so none of my different resin bottles match right here both. Sure, it does guarantee model loyalty, however I can’t depend this in opposition to Elegoo – no person can agree on a normal.

Draining the vat for a shade change, teardown, re-leveling, or cleansing generally is a ache. Making an attempt to carry the vat whilst you pour the contents right into a funnel and finally the bottle is a recipe for a multitude. On the display is a brand new button to empty the vat, inflicting a small tube to descend into the vat and suck the resin again into the bottle. This course of takes 2-3 minutes, however will depart a small quantity within the backside. Tilting the vat in direction of the nook and utilizing a rubber spatula will get the remaining out, making cleansing a breeze. The pump makes use of two steel leads sitting within the vat to detect ranges. It’s a remarkably easy system, and albeit one I’d recognize on all my printers going ahead.

Reverse the brand new pump is an improved USB-powered air air purifier. These are the identical bodily dimension as those for the Saturn 2 and three, albeit with twice as a lot activated carbon – an enchancment. The brand new model is supposed to final for roughly a yr and can run you about $28 bucks for a pair of them. I’m positive any individual with higher measuring units than I’ve can converse to the efficacy of those filters, but when they aren’t sufficient there’s additionally a pre-cut place at the back of the case to connect a full vent system.

Additionally included within the field is a USB stick. It has a model of Chitubox (Chitubox 1.9.6 Beta01) with a preloaded profile for the Jupiter SE. It additionally has a trial model of Voxeldance Tango. I personally use Lychee Slicer, however this printer will work with nearly any slicer you like. Tango is often utilized in business settings on account of its means to deal with bigger format printers, however latest updates to each Lychee and Chitubox will deal with this printer wonderful. In a pinch you should utilize the unique Jupiter’s profile since most of your modifications might be made in your resin profile anyway. I used to be disillusioned to seek out that Voxeldance Tango was a demo model, although, on condition that it was the total model for the unique Jupiter.

With my Z-axis set and my plate leveled I went for broke and printed an unsliced Princess Zelda from Breath of the Wild. Effectively, “wild” is an applicable identify for what got here out of the opposite finish. Layer shifts, splits, and different weird failures precipitated the poor princess to return out trying like a Necromorph from Useless House. Behold the horror:

Utilizing the drain perform I pulled all the things again to the beginning, re-leveled, and doublechecked my settings with the assistance of the unimaginable of us at TableFlip Foundry. Ty, the CEO of TableFlip, is answerable for the frequently-used Cones of Calibration. Utilizing their latest model (which is virtually an journey sport, with a cranium, sword, and cones!) I dialed in my resin, layers, speeds, and printer capabilities. I additionally switched as much as an undead samurai as a result of I’ve the eye span of a toddler. This second try went much better, however nonetheless had a number of issues. You’ll be able to see some unimaginable sections on the warrior, however you can even see the place an error precipitated it to stretch his sword out flat, melted some helps flat, and ruined the rear of the physique. Barely much less horror…

Looking forward to a win, I tackled the Princess Zelda print, however sliced up. Unwilling to compromise, I additionally scaled it as much as 170%. I might describe how that went, however an image is price a thousand phrases, so they are saying. Let’s see it.

There we go! I used to be in a position to get a gorgeous print out of the Jupiter SE, which gave me some foundation for comparability to the upper decision 8K Saturn 2. I used to be shocked to see simply how little distinction there may be between these two units. Sure, for those who examine very, very intently you may spot the occasional layer line. A little bit of sanding and fill work by Laura cleaned up any of that, and as soon as primered it was nearly unimaginable to inform the distinction. Eventual paint work will remedy the remaining.

Undeterred, and emboldened by my Zelda success, I needed to print one thing to maximise the construct top of the system in a single construct. Not solely to showcase the capabilities of the printer, however to see how the Jupiter SE would deal with a whopping 31 hour print. I couldn’t consider a more sensible choice than H3ll Creator’s Minthara from Baldur’s Gate 3. Scaled as much as 205 p.c, and by printing the bottom and bear head individually, I used to be in a position to maximize the total 300mm of construct top for the printer. I’m very pleased to report that, after a number of bumpy begins, it did precisely that.

As you may see, the outcomes are completely flawless. Zero layer strains, shifts, or defects. It took a little bit of calibration and small tweaks and changes, however there’s no denying the outcomes.

this print, it’s actually massive, but it surely could possibly be bigger. The problem of a single object print is that you’re courting catastrophe. If all goes effectively, there’s no extra meeting, seam restore, or different challenges. If it doesn’t, you’re looking at one other very lengthy print, and loads of wasted resin within the course of. By printing in items, you may scale up even additional. I’ve personally printed states double the dimensions of Minthara, however in a lot smaller chunks. It allowed me to scale to the exact dimension I needed, re-print something that wanted to be adjusted (e.g. I hollowed the arm, hand, and light-weight saber for an upcoming LED-powered meeting of Darth Talon), and with minimal waste.

There was one factor that the Elegoo Jupiter SE uncovered about my printing station – it’s simply not large enough. Extra particularly, my wash and treatment station was struggling to accommodate a few of these bigger prints – I’ll have to spend money on one thing bigger just like the Elegoo Mercury XS to have the ability to wash and treatment fashions of this dimension.

I bumped into one persistent difficulty with the resin fill system. The cutout for the tubes within the rear is small to attenuate any smells escaping, but it surely does imply you’ll find yourself hitting the tubes with the hood nearly each time. As such, it knocks the fill system askew barely, leading to an error incessantly. Some kind of locking mechanism to carry it from transferring could be good as having to drag the hood time and again and punctiliously place it like some kind of resin printer Jenga is irritating. It’s a minor nitpick, however one you’ll completely encounter for those who use the automated fill system, which I do advocate – it’s very helpful.

As with all of our {hardware} critiques, the final cease on the journey is guarantee and value. The launch value for the unique Jupiter was $1300 for those who caught it at pre-order, or $1500 for those who missed the Kickstarter. The Jupiter SE is presently promoting for $700, down from the total MSRP of $1000. That’s a reasonably important financial savings over the earlier mannequin, regardless of the entire enhancements. The guarantee for the machine is 6 months for the display (up from 3 months for the earlier mannequin) and 12 months for all the things else. Positive, it’d be good to see an extended guarantee, however that’s pretty customary for this trade.

The factor I recognize most in regards to the Jupiter SE is that it very clearly demonstrates Elegoo’s dedication to hearken to their prospects. Each enchancment to the Jupiter SE got here immediately from buyer suggestions, and all to the higher. The revamped air flow system, the return to kind on the hood, the redesigned resin feed system all makes for a greater expertise for even a novice person. The vastly improved value is icing on the cake, and when your prints come out this huge and looking out this good, what a scrumptious cake it’s.

Except in any other case said, the product on this article was offered for evaluation functions.