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Anycubic announced two new 3D printers, including one that is to be priced at under US$200.
Anycubic Photon D2
The first of the two machines is the Anycubic Photon D2, a resin 3D printer. This device, characterized by its distinctive blue UV cover, is a bit smaller in build volume than many machines currently on the market, at 130 x 73 x 165 mm.
However, the Photon D2 more than makes up for the small build volume with astoundingly precise 3D prints. We did an extensive test on the Photon D2 and were greatly impressed with its ability to produce extremely small and precise structures. In fact, the best quality prints I’ve ever made so far came off of the Photon D2.
The secret to the Photon D2’s precision comes from its very unique light engine. Instead of a laser or masked LCD panel as are found in most desktop resin 3D printers, the Photon D2 uses a DLP projector.
Yes, the same kind of projector you might find in a wall projection system. Except that instead of projecting on a wall, the pixels are tightly focused on the 130 x 73 mm build area. This makes for pretty extreme resolution.
There’s more than just pixel resolution going here, too. Anycubic explains:
“The latest light uniformity compensation algorithm significantly enhances light uniformity to 92%, which means the energy in every exposure place is almost the same, thus contributing to a more consistent print result. Furthermore, a higher light uniformity combined with a 16-step gray anti-aliasing algorithm could also ensure a sharp, neat, and smooth surface of the printed miniatures.”
The DLP engine is also lightweight, and pulls only a small amount of power since the light flows directly to the resin and doesn’t have to pass through an LCD mask. The low power means the Photon D2 runs quite cool and should last for around 20,000 hours of use. That’s far more than you’d expect from a typical MSLA system.
The Photon D2 runs so cool it doesn’t even have a fan and emits only 35 dB of noise, which is basically silent.
While having a relatively small build volume, the Photon D2 is still able to 3D print many objects quite easily, including figurines, jewelry and more.
The Photon D2 is priced at US$679.
Anycubic Kobra Go
The second machine announced is the Kobra Go, the latest entry in Anycubic’s Kobra line of FFF desktop 3D printers.
The Kobra Go includes a number of features often found on other equipment, including:
- 1.75mm filament Bowden extruder
- 0.4mm brass nozzle
- i3-style motion system
- Build volume of 220 x 220 x 250 mm
- Provided in kit form for assembly
Those are basic features that one could find on any inexpensive desktop 3D printer. However, the Kobra Go also includes some surprising advanced features:
Automated leveling system using Anycubic’s LeviQ technology
Magnetically attached PEI-coated spring steel build plate
The leveling system, which we’ve tested on other Anycubic machines, is quite capable and is able to quickly compute the topology of the print surface and adjust during printing to ensure first layer adhesion.
The spring steel plate enables easy print removal by simply twisting the plate, causing the rigid print to detach. This approach is becoming the standard method for desktop FFF 3D printers.
Both of these features make the 3D printing experience far easier and accessible for newcomers, but typically are found only on more expensive equipment.
Anycubic is providing the device in kit form for full assembly by operators. Anycubic said this approach provides a way for operators to “learn the machine inside and out”, and I agree with this: there is no better way to learn how a 3D printer works than to build one.
This brings us to the pricing for the Kobra Go. We’re told Anycubic has set the pre-sale price for this 3D printer at only US$189, making it one of the least expensive desktop 3D printers on the market, and one that includes ease-of-use features that will greatly assist those new to 3D printing. After the pre-sale, the Kobra Go will be priced at US$209 at Anycubic’s official site and US$219 at their Amazon page.
The combination of low price and advanced features should make the Kobra Go ideal for anyone’s first 3D printer.
If the Kobra Go is as well-built as the other Kobra units we’ve tested, it will surely be a hit in the marketplace.
Via Anycubic
