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

I’ve been 3D printing for a couple of years at this level. It began with issues like chip clips, alternative plastic components, and fidget toys, and has spun to date uncontrolled that it could in all probability qualify for a case examine 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 nicely, now changed with quite a lot of comparable taste items. E book instances, chests, statues, and extra spherical out that sport, which is after I graduated to well being counters for Nemesis, flames, caravans, and markers for Return to Darkish Tower, and an entire lot of organizers and play boards. Currently 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 rather a lot about helps, calibrations, and meeting. It additionally made me desire a a lot bigger printer – one thing that I might make even bigger statues, single-piece sculptures, and all with no need to slice it into small components. 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 via the ins and outs of this unbelievable 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 quite a lot of huge enhancements over its smaller counterparts, nevertheless it was heavy and didn’t actually match the aesthetic feel and look of their different printers. Nonetheless, it gave a number of of us their first have a look at a prosumer degree resin printer, with an preliminary price of $1300 if you happen to 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 giant format printer. Heading into 2024 we see a significant refresh of this printer, taking the very best components 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, after all, although the primary main change is straight away apparent – it seems like a bigger model of the Elegoo Saturn 2 or 3, signature crimson 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 determination, 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 computerized resin feeding techniques. The earlier system used a type of trench-type feeding system with bottles together with an adapter to invert into it. This has been fortunately changed with an computerized 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 all the time obtained a spare able to go. These connect with the brand new computerized 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. Somewhat 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 couple 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 course, 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 chunk of cardstock that’s meant to be left on the display screen whilst you run via the traditional leveling course of. 4 hex head bolts safe the plate, with a big lever on high to lock every part in place. This new mechanism is an enchancment over the Saturn 2 and three’s lock plate, guaranteeing that it stays in place with out the chance of the plate transferring to safe it – one thing I’ve completed up to now.

The plate itself is similar measurement because the older mannequin with a printing measurement 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 ends in 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 peak, nevertheless it’s not unusual to want to slice one thing to suit on the narrower width. For instance, the entire gadgets we check printed for this venture had base plinths that have been capable of 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 while you have a look at the rear of the Jupiter SE. To assist delay the lifetime of the display screen, Elegoo has taken quite a lot of steps. The COB LED isn’t straight 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 additionally 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 steady temperature. Many individuals don’t understand that the display screen is taken into account a consumable, however with this new cooling tech it must be rather a lot longer earlier than that involves go.

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 gadget, and it made passing last prints extra problematic fairly than the unobstructed method supplied by the lid. For the Jupiter SE they’ve gone again to this method, providing the identical signature crimson 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 every part stays proper and tight. The crimson shade additionally retains gentle ingress to a minimal, although I’d nonetheless advocate maintaining this or any MSLA printer out of direct daylight. It’s additionally a lot simpler to scrub, as an added bonus.

One other enchancment over the unique is the brand new fill system. Somewhat 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 suitable aspect of the gadget 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 straight into the vat, which might maintain about two liters of resin. It’s going to accomplish that routinely and periodically, doing its degree greatest to make sure you by no means run out of resin. In observe, I are likely to order my resin in far bigger portions than 1KG, so I needed to preserve a pair of 1KG bottles readily available to refill. Sadly each producer makes use of a special thread kind, so none of my different resin bottles match right here both. Sure, it does guarantee model loyalty, however I can’t rely this towards Elegoo – no person can agree on a normal.

Draining the vat for a shade change, teardown, re-leveling, or cleansing generally is a ache. Attempting to carry the vat whilst you pour the contents right into a funnel and in the end the bottle is a recipe for a multitude. On the display screen 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 go away a small quantity within the backside. Tilting the vat in the direction of the nook and utilizing a rubber spatula will get the remainder 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 respect on all my printers going ahead.

Reverse the brand new pump is an improved USB-powered air air purifier. These are the identical bodily measurement 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 certain any person with higher measuring gadgets than I’ve can communicate to the efficacy of those filters, but when they aren’t sufficient there’s additionally a pre-cut place behind 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 usually utilized in business settings attributable to its capability to deal with bigger format printers, however current updates to each Lychee and Chitubox will deal with this printer effective. 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 search out that Voxeldance Tango was a demo model, although, provided that it was the complete 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. Nicely, “wild” is an acceptable identify for what got here out of the opposite finish. Layer shifts, splits, and different weird failures brought on the poor princess to return out wanting like a Necromorph from Lifeless House. Behold the horror:

Utilizing the drain operate I pulled every part again to the beginning, re-leveled, and doublechecked my settings with the assistance of the unbelievable of us at TableFlip Foundry. Ty, the CEO of TableFlip, is liable 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 features. 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 couple of issues. You possibly can see some unbelievable sections on the warrior, however you may also see the place an error brought on it to stretch his sword out flat, melted some helps flat, and ruined the rear of the physique. Barely much less horror…

Anticipating 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 capable of get a ravishing print out of the Jupiter SE, which gave me some foundation for comparability to the upper decision 8K Saturn 2. I used to be stunned to see simply how little distinction there may be between these two gadgets. Sure, if you happen to examine very, very intently you’ll be able to 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 virtually unimaginable to inform the distinction. Eventual paint work will remedy the remainder.

Undeterred, and emboldened by my Zelda success, I needed to print one thing to maximise the construct peak 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 %, and by printing the bottom and bear head individually, I used to be capable of maximize the complete 300mm of construct peak for the printer. I’m very completely satisfied to report that, after a couple of bumpy begins, it did precisely that.

As you’ll be able to 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 definitely giant, nevertheless it may very well be bigger. The problem of a single object print is that you’re courting catastrophe. If all goes nicely, there’s no further meeting, seam restore, or different challenges. If it doesn’t, you’re looking at one other very lengthy print, and a number of wasted resin within the course of. By printing in items, you’ll be able to 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 measurement 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 sufficiently big. Extra particularly, my wash and treatment station was struggling to accommodate a few of these bigger prints – I’ll must put money into one thing bigger just like the Elegoo Mercury XS to have the ability to wash and treatment fashions of this measurement.

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

As with all of our {hardware} evaluations, the final cease on the journey is guarantee and value. The launch value for the unique Jupiter was $1300 if you happen to caught it at pre-order, or $1500 if you happen to missed the Kickstarter. The Jupiter SE is at the moment promoting for $700, down from the complete MSRP of $1000. That’s a fairly important financial savings over the earlier mannequin, regardless of the entire enhancements. The guarantee for the gadget is 6 months for the display screen (up from 3 months for the earlier mannequin) and 12 months for every part else. Certain, it’d be good to see an extended guarantee, however that’s pretty commonplace for this business.

The factor I respect most concerning 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 straight 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.

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