Anycubic Photon
This printer marks the beginning of my foray into stereolithography (SLA). SLA printers are different from standard FDM 3D printers in that they build solid parts not though the deposition of molten thermoplastics, but rather through the selective curing of liquid resin. This process allows for the creation of parts that are incredibly detailed, with layers down to four times thinner than a human hair.
= Upgrades =
Upgraded Firmware & Photonsters UI Mods
The original firmware supplied with the Photon was somewhat outdated, and did not support anti-aliasing. The fonts and color schemes used in the firmware also made menu items difficult to read. As such, the firmware was updated to the most recent stable version, and Photonsters UI Mods were installed to enable a high-contrast color scheme and access to networked printing via the OEM ethernet port.
Respirator Filter Mod
The resin used in SLA/DLP/LCD printing produces strong fumes that are unpleasant and unhealthy to be exposed to. The OEM system uses a filter to limit the output of these fumes, but its effectiveness leaves something to be desired. To improve this, the printer's original rear access port was removed and replaced with an FDM 3D-printed mount and respirator filter cartridge. The result has been a substantial reduction in resin fumes, with almost no discernible scent present during prints.
Drain Bracket
Once a print has completed, the build plate is left hanging in midair, parallel to the resin vat underneath, with substantial amounts of liquid resin still clinging to both the plate and the print. To simplify clean-up and minimize material waste, a PETG drain bracket was printed to hang the build plate at a 45° angle, allowing excess material to more easily drain back into the vat.