A mini SL1?  

RE: A mini SL1?

You want a smaller build plate??  or just a more economical version?  The SL1 is an awesome MSLA printer but in the last year lower cost units have come out of China  with the same build volume to compete with the SL1 but are far from the same build quality of the SL1.   As components become cheaper hopefully Prusa will come out with something more budget friendly.  As for me I hope they come out with something a little bigger..... 

RE: A mini SL1?

I don't think it would be that much cheaper. All the core components/mechanics are going to be the same with the exception of a smaller display, smaller vat and smaller Z screw, unless they do a radical redesign. I think it's a bit early for that to happen given how young it still is...

RE: A mini SL1?

I don't really like SLA printers, they release a lot of fumes, they work with hard-to-handle material, you have to wear gloves, quickly clean up the remains, wash the parts, cure them with UV light or with the sun. But I think FDM printers are not going to reach SLA quality ever.
I thought that a small printer, like the Monoprice mini SLA ( https://www.matterhackers.com/store/l/monoprice-mp-mini-sla-3d-printer/sk/MXEPYP00 ), would not take up much space, it would not cost a lot and I could have it for sporadic jobs that would allow me to have the quality that these printers can give. All that without sacrificing space and money.
The Prusa SL1 is too expensive to use sporadically and a bit large for the space it would reserve.

RE: A mini SL1?

@manelto

Don't really see the advantage having even smaller SLA size. You will never place this printer on your work desk and sitting right next to it like you can with FDM printer. As you said already it's a nasty technology with chemical post processing required. Saving space does not make sense in this case.

RE: A mini SL1?

Posted by: @nikolai-r

@manelto

... Saving space does not make sense in this case.

Well, maybe not for you, but for me it'is important.

RE: A mini SL1?

@manelto

I didn't say it's not important. I'm just trying to understand where you see a benefit especially because you need a separate room for that anyway. Let's say Prusa will offer SL1 mini for $900 with half a build space and SL1 for $1100 with current build space. Which one would you pick and why.

RE: A mini SL1?

Posted by: @nikolai-r

@manelto

I didn't say it's not important. I'm just trying to understand where you see a benefit especially because you need a separate room for that anyway. Let's say Prusa will offer SL1 mini for $900 with half a build space and SL1 for $1100 with current build space. Which one would you pick and why.

none of them. Maybe a mini SL1 (dimensions 200x200x280 with Maximum Print Size 118 x 65 x 110 mm) for € 500

RE: A mini SL1?

@manelto

Yes, dreaming is allowed. That's pretty far from the current offer: SL1 - build size: 120 × 68 × 150 mm, price $1700

RE: A mini SL1?

I d rather say budget sl1, than "mini". Budget version can lower in price as tradeoff for low quality parts. Btw. SL1 should be cheaper for at least 500$...

For me EPAX X1 is ideal choice, and is great example of compromise between crap budget lcd printers and "hasslefree"? ones like Zortrax Inkspire and Prusa SL1. It has great build quality, great fep film, stable Z axis, huge heat sink etc..

RE: A mini SL1?

IMO, making the SL1 smaller really wouldn't save anything in cost. At most, you are shaving pennies.

And resins really aren't a big deal to work with. Folks tend to freak out about toxicity, but it's not much different most model or woodworking finishes folks use. But yes, there are fumes (like when printing ABS on an FDM printer), and drips, so I don't keep mine on my main desk, just like I don't paint models on my main desk. 🙂

Pete