Setting up and Prep
I started off by gutting out my garage to make space for my new ELEGOO printer, which involved scraping off paint from the workbench, organising tools, and battling too many cobwebs to count. Thankfully it was worth the effort, as my garage is now my official resin factory – and offers the perfect space for plenty of ventilation, and handling toxic chemicals away from my usual work-from-home office space.
This is very important when working with resin, as the fumes produced during the curing process emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are harmful to your health and can be poisonous if inhaled. ELEGOO kindly sent me the Mars Mate Air purifier as well as its Mercury XS washing and curing stations to help with my resin printing mission, and to ensure a smooth and safe process of curing my resin prints – which become non-toxic and safe to handle without gloves once fully cured.
Other safety precautions I’ve been taking involve wearing nitrile gloves every time I handle materials, wearing a respiratory mask when the printer is on, and keeping a clean workspace to avoid contamination.
ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra First Impressions
I was told that Elegoo’s Saturn 4 Ultra printer was a great option for complete beginners using resin, and actually, I do think that I’ve been lucky in most cases with how easy the printer has been to set up and operate. For example, the Saturn 4 Ultra has automatic bed levelling, which I know from working with FDM printers is a huge time saver and eliminates the hassle of having to level the build plate for optimum print quality. It also comes with an AI camera included to help monitor prints, which is usually a costly extra with other competitor printers.
I like that the touchscreen display is large and simple to navigate, without too many options or advanced settings to complicate things. The included Wi-Fi antenna is superb for allowing the printer to download and install its own firmware updates automatically, and it provides the option to send files to the printer over WiFi instead of the included USB stick too. Another great feature is the resin exposure test, which in concept allows four separate models to be exposed at different times to assess the results, though I haven’t fully figured out how to do this yet.
As for the design of the Saturn 4 Ultra, I think it’s stunning to look at and incredibly sturdy with an enclosed build, although there are a few things that have left me scratching my head. Firstly, I feel like there should be some kind of handle or latch for opening and closing the cover, especially since most of the time you’re usually trying to avoid touching too many things while wearing gloves, to prevent spreading resin everywhere.
Secondly, my research on resin printing suggested that prints can ooze resins because of its easier UV light transmissions. So with this in mind, I reduced the normal exposure time of this specific resin within the new ELEGOO Satelite Slicer, and I’m happy with the results I got when printing some Crystal Lapras Pokemon models – although they did turn out to be pretty yellow-tinted from over curing during post-process, which I’ll keep in mind when I attempt this model again soon.
Printing with Resin
I also purchased a 1KG bottle of ELEGOO’s grey resin, and have been using this to print mini models including a set of TMNT figures, a Princess Peach model (I haven’t removed the supports yet), as well as a large T-Rex skull which I’m very excited to wash and cure. I did have a few failed prints in the early stages, where I would check the build plate after a few hours to discover nothing was there.
I managed to troubleshoot this by using the Vat Cleaning feature on the Saturn 4 Ultra display screen, and by cleaning the build plate thoroughly with Isopropyl alcohol. It’s worth noting that these failed prints all occurred overnight when the temperature had dropped, so perhaps the colder temperature also played a part in my failed prints. I might need to get myself one of the ELEGOO Mini Heaters to solve this problem long-term.
Conclusion
I’ve really enjoyed my first week of resin printing, although I still have plenty to learn and I’m excited to try out some resin dyes and alcohol links with the translucent resin for some creative effects. I also need to make some PPE upgrades with a better respirator and buy some extra storage and a sturdy bin for my garage. I have a feeling this might turn into a very expensive hobby pretty fast.
FAQs
Q: What is the best way to handle resin printing?
A: Always wear nitrile gloves, a respiratory mask, and keep a clean workspace to avoid contamination.
Q: What is the purpose of the Mars Mate Air purifier?
A: The Mars Mate Air purifier helps to remove VOCs emitted during the curing process, making it safer to work with resin.
Q: How do I troubleshoot failed prints?
A: Check the build plate for any debris or residue, and use the Vat Cleaning feature on the printer display screen. Clean the build plate thoroughly with Isopropyl alcohol and try again.
Q: Can I use FDM printing settings for resin printing?
A: No, resin printing requires its own specific settings and techniques. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations for resin printing.
