Anycubic Photon-S

Photon-S #0

Properties

Build Volume 115 x 65 x 165 mm
Layer Resolution X 47 microns
Layer Resolution Y 47 microns
Layer Resolution Z 1.25 microns
Layer Resolution Low 100 microns
Layer Resolution High 25 microns
Print Speed Max. 20 mm/h

Documents

BrandAnycubic
Machine type 3D Printer
Technology DUP (LCD-based Direct UV Printing)
Materials Resin, Castable Resin, Tough Resin, Flexible Resin
Websitehttps://www.anycubic.com/products/anycubic-photon-s
Average Price US$139.00

About Photon-S

Photon-S is a resin 3D printer from the Chinese manufacturer Anycubic. It is a later version of its pretty famous predecessor, Photon. This series of DUP machines is a staple of affordable 3D printers for photopolymer resins. Photon-S utilizes a 2K LCD screen as a curing source and provides a build volume of 115 x 65 x 165 mm.

Features:

  • 2K LCD screen (2560 x 1440 px);
  • Dual linear Z-axis rail;
  • Activated carbon filter;
  • Offline printing;
  • Colorful 2.8” touchscreen;
  • More quiet printing;
  • Compatible with UV-resins cured by 405nm wave length;
  • Shipped assembled.
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What are the differences between Photon and Photon-S?

Anycubic Photon is one of the most popular and low-cost resin 3D printers on the market, that gained popularity due to easy use and maintenance, high resin compatibility and good value for the money. This machine is still popular now, despite later versions released by Anycubic and other brands jumping onto the market of low-cost resin printing. Let’s start with the changes and upgrades of the S model.

Photon-S is lighter

Both visually and structurally Photon-S looks slightly different. Moreover, the enclosure and the machine are now primarily plastic, making the printer weight less, which is a questionable change from the metal Photon. The printer has wider “windows” to monitor the process, though, Photon didn’t have a significant issue with that. Additionally, the machine lost handles on the sides and front.

Taller Builds

The build volume of Photon-S is insignificantly larger. It stayed the same in X and Y but grew a bit in Z-axis allowing for taller prints.

Less Wobble

Photon-S notably has dual rails in Z-axis, which isn’t that common for an affordable DUP printer. Unstable Z-axis can be a source of print artifacts and quality issues, so having 2 of them helps get smoother work from the printer.

Better adhesion

Printing bed on Photon-S features a “hairline build plate” or, simply put, textured aluminum. This tiny relief on the plate helps the print to grab onto the plate and sit safely during the printing process.

Matrix LCD light source

Anycubic upgraded the operation process of LCD screen, which in S model features a focusing lens for every diode. This change provides better resolution and reduces excess curing. Additionally, the power of the light source has grown from 40W to 50W. While Photon featured only 4 diodes on the plate, Photon-S has 28.

New interface and filters

Photon-S has a different control display and UI. It also has a second air filter (while Photon had only one). Other small but handy features are the ability to run an exposure time test, which is available after firmware update, and the alias slicer option (which smooths the surface of the print).

 

Moving to the similarities, there are lots of them as well. The structure of the resin tank and build plate stayed the same. Anycubic’s own software for slicing is required for Photon-S, too, and with the firmware upgrade, the machine loses its ability to read files sliced in another software (like Chitubox). Overall, for users of Anycubic Photon, there aren’t many reasons to move to S model. However, for starters that look to try out resin printing without breaking the bank, Photon-S would be a preferable machine.

 

Reviews 4.6 1 reviews

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Works great for a beginner. I find after so many prints it needs a slight buff from grit paper otherwise it starts to fail prints. I also use a different software but overall happy with the printer.