Are Resin 3D Printers Better? 3d SLA Resin?

Resin 3D printers are among the most popular manufacturing processes today. They produce complex shapes from digital files while still ensuring the essential quality, durability, and safety. So, are resin 3D printers better?

You do not have to know all the technical jargon to find out. So continue reading to find our brief insights and make an informed decision by the time you finish!

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The Fundamentals of Resin

Before we jump into why some people prefer resin 3D printers over other types, we will break down the fundamentals of this technology.

Resin 3D printing is essentially the process of using particular wave lights to change the properties of liquid material and thereby solidify it.

In this case, resins are used. The wave lights can come from a variety of sources, such as lasers, projectors, and even LCD panes.

You might have heard of the recent hype around the extraordinary Phrozen Transform large dip LCD resin 3D printer.

The primary components of these printers include a build platform or plate, resin tank, light source, and series of mirrors.

But fancier ones may have extra features and tools like rollers. Depending on how these components come together to create the internal operation of the printer, objects can be printed right-side-up or upside down.

An upside down print using a resin 3D printer

With desktop machines, there is a high chance that items will be formed upside down. Do not worry about any gravitational pull, though.

There will be print adhesion and supporting structures that keep parts from falling.

Although they are collectively called resin, these materials can differ in terms of chemical and mechanical resistance, biocompatibility, stiffness, strength, maximum resolution, solidification time, and wavelength necessary for curing.

So, if you are purchasing resins to fuel up your tank, be extra careful to get the right ones for your printer.

SLA resins will not work on DLP printers. There are standard resins, glass-reinforced resin, dental resin, castable resin, ceramic resin, and shell casting resin, to name a few.

Standard 3D Printing Process: 6 Important Steps to Print 3D models

The typical printing process with this type of machine involves six steps.

But unlike other printing methods, post-processing is a must with resin 3D printers, which includes:

Step 1: Washing (filament)

You do not want any remaining uncured resin on your print.

So, submerge the print in alcohol, water and leave it to dry on some napkins.

Step 2: Curing with UV

Strengthen your prints by putting them under a UV lamp.

If you do not have one, lay it under the sun.

Skipping this step can make your final prints very fragile.

Step 3: Removing Support Structures

Take away all of the supporting structures.

This process is relatively easy but can be a bit time-consuming.

So pack some patience and diligence to complete this step!

Be extra careful not to cut into the item’s volume when removing the support structures.

Check out this article for further details.

Particular “sensitive” items may have to undergo additional processes, such as the following:

Patching Holes:

Hollow models can have vent holes to release resin from the inside.

While this makes the process less costly, the final product can be an aesthetic eye-sore.

So, a patching process will close up the holes with resin.

Apart from the appearance, this will also help reinforce the print’s structure.

Sanding:

Just like an artwork, you may have to rely on sanding to smooth out surfaces.

If you want your item to be matte, you will also have to sand it.

This is typically done in areas where support structures were previously placed.

You can choose to do dry or wet sanding.

But I suggest using wet sanding because I always find that it gives my prints a smoother surface.

Many sanding machines in the market can do the work for you. Do not hesitate to check them out!

Finishing:

This is to cover up “blemishes” and strengthen a part of the item. There are special compositions that you can choose from.

Certain types of resins require a coating to keep them from degrading over time when exposed to UV rays.

An alternative to this is priming, which sets the item up for painting.

Polishing:

If you want your end product to look glossy, there are special compounds that make the surface more clear and smooth.

Pros of Resin filament

Now that you know the basics about resin 3D printers, we will look through their pros.

1. Quality

Resin is crowned king when it comes to quality. It consistently offers a superior printing standard, characterized by impressive fine details. For this reason, they are sometimes even referred to as resin 3D printers for miniatures.

If you want to print small models with fine features, perhaps, a resin 3D printer is ideal for board games.

However, if your goal is to print large models, prototypes, or items like cosplay props, including helmets, shields, and armors, consider other options, like filament 3D printers.

Bring out the details of your design with a resin 3D printer

2. Waterproof (3D windows)

You do not have to worry about your prints absorbing moisture in the air.

The products are watertight to protect against any possible exposure.

3. Availability (dlp 3d printer)

Resin 3D printers are no longer exclusive. They are readily available in the market, both in-person and online. You can also easily find resins to meet your needs.

4. Diversity

There are countless types of resins in the market.

There are even ones with additives, such as dyes and pigments, to produce different shades.

If you know where to look, you can find ones that can be mixed with certain solvents to become glow in the dark as well.

5. Check Speed before Printing(FDM printers)

Resin 3D printers are considerably fast in delivering products.

Thanks to their single “active” laser, these machines operate speedily. As a result, they keep up well with the increasingly fast-paced industries of today’s society.

For example, resin 3D printers are often used to make jewelry prototypes in large-scaled corporations and design departments.

Hence, they are often grouped as resin 3D printer jewelry.

Cons of Printing Resin

1. Strength

Premium resin 3D printers deliver robustly durable prints.

However, because of the nature of resin, this form of printing is not the strongest.

They can snap or crack. However, there are ways to make your resin 3D prints more durable. Find out here:

Filaments are generally stronger—for example, polycarbonate, which is used in filament 3D printing to make mechanical parts.

Where strength is a concern, rethink your decision to use resin 3D printers. For instance, printing automotive and aviation parts may not be appropriate.

2. Safety

In the discussions around 3D printers, safety cannot be ignored. Resin 3D printers pose health and safety risks, but so do other types of 3D printers. Along with the use of high temperatures, these devices can emit toxic fumes that threaten the health of users.

In addition, it has the potential to incur unanticipated chemical reactions, leading to skin irritation and long-term respiratory issues.

Therefore, to keep yourself and the people around you safe, it is essential to invest in a good 3D printer.

There are a lot of choices in the market, including resin 3D printers under $500.

Additionally, make sure that you use these in a well-ventilated area. Operate them with safety gloves and glasses for maximum protection!

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3. Usability

Resin 3D printers are typically messier than filament 3D printers. Thus, if you are a beginner, it is easier to start with filament 3D printers.

On the other hand, resin 3D printers require precision, so it demands more effort on your half.

Furthermore, as mentioned, the A to Z process for resin 3D printers is more complex because post-processing is mandatory.

Filament 3D printers, on the other hand, only rely on a magnet built to extract the finished product.

Therefore, if you are worried about navigating the printers or are limited by time, you should opt for the filament 3D printers instead.

4. Price

Desktop machines cost from $3,500, and industrial grades one can be around $80,000.

Aside from the cost of the printer itself, you will have to spend on resins, which are pretty pricey, ranging from $40 to $150 for a liter.

Over time, the build platform and resin tanks will have to be replaced, and they are roughly $100 and $80, respectively.

Together, these can be referred to as resin 3D printer accessories.

Be ready to shell out some cash if you want to use a resin 3D printer.

For your reference, filament replacements are around $15 per kilogram.

Most filament 3D printers also come with spare nozzles, so they can go for a long time before having to be replaced.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you now have enough information about resin 3D printers to answer the question“ are resin 3D printers better?” So, what is your final call? Let me know in the comments! I am always excited to hear from my readers.

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