SL1 first impressions
I have had my SL1 kit for about a week. First assembly was easy and instruction were excellent.
This is my third resin printer. I have a Monoprice DLP printer and a Peopoly laser printer. Both of these were a chore to get a good print with. The SL1 is a whole different story. It just works and works well, I am very impressed. The user interface is great, Prusa Slicer works great and print quality is fantastic. The CW1 is a real game changer, it make post processing simple and much cleaner than any method i had previously used.
I would like to see Prusa Slicer have the ability to hollow out and put holes in models.
Thanks Prusa for a great printer
Debra
RE: SL1 first impressions
I have to second Debra's evaluation. I had one previous resin printer, wanhao-D7 and it was a bit of a nightmare.
The prints I am getting out of the SL1 are just amazing and the CW1 makes life so much easier for post processing.
I'm sure there will be little tweaks and enhancements over the coming months that will make it even better.
RE: SL1 first impressions
What sort of objects are you guys printing? I'm looking to print mostly engineering or mechanical parts with prismatic shapes and where geometric and dimensional accuracy will be important as opposed to miniature figures where accuracy may not be too critical.
Mike
RE: SL1 first impressions
So far just samples for me. I haven't tried anything mechanical and/or requiring dimensional accuracy. I expect there will be a learning curve there as I try to work out correct resins and exposure times to makes things work. But here is a geometric sample:
RE: SL1 first impressions
So far just samples for me. I haven't tried anything mechanical and/or requiring dimensional accuracy. I expect there will be a learning curve there as I try to work out correct resins and exposure times to makes things work. But here is a geometric sample:
Thanks. I'm trying to decide between SLA and MSLA 3D printer alternatives. This is one part that I'd like to print, for example.
The part is about 23mm long x 8 mm for the largest OD and the thinnest wall section is about 0.3mm. I wouldn't mind needing to experiment to get a good part but need to get there in the end on many similar types of parts. I know that FDM won't get me there.
RE: SL1 first impressions
Thanks. I'm trying to decide between SLA and MSLA 3D printer alternatives. This is one part that I'd like to print, for example.
The part is about 23mm long x 8 mm for the largest OD and the thinnest wall section is about 0.3mm. I wouldn't mind needing to experiment to get a good part but need to get there in the end on many similar types of parts. I know that FDM won't get me there.
Do you live in the US? If so, if you send me the stl for this I would be happy to print this object and send it to you
RE: SL1 first impressions
I have just bitten the bullet and gone for the SL1 kit, with the CW1 bundled. Prior to this I had 3 Elegoo Mars (currently 2, as one of them ended up in the bin due to persistent faults). For the price of an SL1, you can buy 5 x Elegoo Mars, but as the owner of 2 x MK3S's, one with an MMU2S, I have to say I love Prusa kit. I am currently in the market for a Prusa Mini, (kind of a collect the set thing), and decided to treat myself to the SL1.
I prefer buying the kits, as I enjoy the build itself, and it gives me a greater understanding of the machine. The kit itself was superbly presented, well packaged and thought out - Prusa are the 'Apple' of 3D printing, thought has gone into pretty much everything (though my experiences with the MMU2S leave a little to be desired, but that's another story). The build was simple, took me two sessions over 2 days (work got in the way), and once completed, the Prusa felt like a quality product. The Elegoo Mars is a great little printer, but you can feel a massive difference in quality between the two. The Prusa has lots of great features, looks amazing...if these things cost a little less I'd ditch my Elegoos altogether and go for a fleet of SL1's. The first print failed, but that was my own fault for failing to secure one of the resin tank FEP screws fully, so the tank wasn't flat on the bed. Once I had addressed that, it was well away and printing perfectly.
Onto the CW1 - this has taken my post process time down from nearly an hour to about 10 minutes. Whilst it's chundering away, I can clean up my work area, and it is so effortless. I've just been guiding my 13yo son through his first MSLA print using the SL1 and CW1 and he loved it.
The difference between the Elegoo Mars and the SL1 is night and day, but alas so is the price. But then, Prusa could easily complete with Elegoo if they wanted to compromise on quality, and then we'd all be having a different discussion.
TLDR : If you have the cash, and want a decent quality MSLA printer, go for the Prusa SL1, and if you can extend to it, the bundle with the CW1.
RE: SL1 first impressions
I am looking to purchase the SL1 printer but want to know the quality of the print first. Is there someone in the U.S. that would be able to print me a sample part using the tough resin? I can provide a drawing as well.
RE: SL1 first impressions
@debra-k
I am looking to purchase the SL1 printer but want to know the quality of the print first. Would you be able to print me a sample part using the tough resin? I can provide a drawing as well.
Thanks,
Tim