自从我们尝试了AnyCubic Photon Mono X和他们的灯丝/FDM 打印机之一AnyCubic Vyper以来，我们一直是 AnyCubic 3D 打印机的粉丝。从那时起，我们就有机会预览AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K。
Photon Mono X 6K是 AnyCubic 最高分辨率的 Mono X 版本，这是一种(Mono X)树脂打印机(resin printer)，它使用掩模立体光刻技术将液态树脂固化成固态塑料材料(plastic material)。我们很高兴看到这台新的高分辨率打印机可以在多大程度上产生高度详细的打印。
我们之前在对AnyCubic Photon Mono X的评论中介绍了树脂印刷(resin printing)的危险，因此我们假设您了解使用蒙版立体光刻印刷时可以预期的学习曲线和清理，(learning curve and clean-up)并直接跳到(stereolithography and skip)这个神奇野兽的功能.
这箱子里有什么东西
与Mono X一样， (Mono X)Mono X 6K有许多配件，包括metal and plastic spatulas/scrapers、面罩、手套以及启动和运行打印机所需的所有部件。
组装和调平
拆开所有配件包装后，我们组装并调平了打印机。组装大约需要五分钟，另外还有五分钟才能戴上随附的屏幕保护膜(screen protector)。预装屏幕保护膜(screen protector)是一个非常好的升级，因为它意味着您不会意外刮伤并因此毁坏屏幕。我们建议您观看有关如何安装屏幕保护膜(screen protector)的视频，因为它可能有点棘手，而且您只能尝试一次。该过程类似于在智能手机屏幕(smartphone screen)上安装保护膜。
我们注意到构建说明没有说明何时安装屏幕保护膜(screen protector)。您应该在调平床之前(before )安装它，或者在将保护器放在打印机上之后重新调平床。如果没有，Z 位置(Z position)会有点太低。
调平床很简单——只需按照说明进行操作。与Mono X一样，触摸屏会引导您完成快速调平床所需的一切。以下是步骤：
- 使用触摸屏，点击工具(Tools )，然后点击移动(Move)。
- 使用触摸屏，通过点击向上箭头(up arrow)将构建板抬高到屏幕上方约五或六英寸。如果您先选择10mm(10mm)选项，这会更快。
- 松开(Loosen)构建板上(build plate)的四个螺钉并将其固定到打印机上。
- 将平整纸(leveling paper)放在固化屏幕上，然后按(screen and press)主页按钮(Home )。
- 单击触摸屏上的主页(Home )图标并等待(screen and wait)打印机停止移动。
- 用一只(Use one)手轻轻按下构建板(build plate)。构建板(plate shouldn)根本(at all)不应该移动。用另一只手慢慢拧紧四个螺丝。
- 现在点击z=0按钮，然后选择Enter确认。床现在会升高一点，让您可以使用树脂桶(resin vat)。
这就是它的全部 -打印机床(printer bed)现在是水平的。
构建体积和打印速度
Photon Mono X 6K的构建体积(build volume)与Photon Mono X(Photon Mono X)的构建体积几乎相同。根据 AnyCubic 的在线技术规格(online tech specs)，6K 版本的构建量要大一些。(build volume)
6K的最高打印速度(print speed)比Mono X快 33% ，最高可达每小时 8 厘米。请记住(Remember)，对于树脂打印机，打印对象所需的时间完全取决于曝光时间(exposure time)以及层数和高度(number and height)，而不是每层固化多少材料。
新的纹理床很棒
Photon Mono X 6K配备有纹理的床，这是对 Photon Mono X 随附床的明显升级(Photon Mono X)。有纹理的床真的很抓人。因此，您的印刷品出现粘附问题的可能性似乎要小得多。
您可以在上图中看到Photon Mono X 6K（左）和Photon Mono X （右）的床纹理之间的差异。
打印精度和分辨率
除了纹理床，Mono X和 6K 版本之间的主要区别在于打印机的打印分辨率。Mono X的分辨率为 3840 x 2400像素，而Photon Mono X 6K的分辨率为 5760 x 3600像素。这意味着AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K的分辨率比Mono X 打印机(Mono X printer)高 125% 。
换句话说，对于 Mono X 中的每个像素，Mono(Mono X) X 6K(Mono X 6K)有 2.5 个像素。这是一个大幅度的增长。例如，请参阅上面 AnyCubic 对Mono X 6K打印与竞争对手 4K 打印机打印的比较。
产品质量
打印机的质量是您对 AnyCubic 的Photon 系列产品(Photon lineup)的期望。如果您并排查看Mono X 和 Mono X 6K，很难分辨哪个是哪个。(Mono X and Mono X)同样(Same placement)的按钮位置，同样的盖子，同样惊人的双线性导轨系统(rail system)。机器(machine haven)的螺母和螺栓没有太大变化。
超高分辨率 (6K) LCD 屏幕(LCD screen)的加入和更快的打印速度(print speed)使这款打印机在其前代产品中脱颖而出。
清洗和固化您的印刷品
AnyCubic 的所有Photon打印机的清洗和固化打印过程都是相同的。您可以用水或酒精(water or alcohol)清洗打印件，固化过程一如既往地令人着迷。虽然Wash and Cure Machine Plus使这些过程变得简单而令人满意(simple and satisfying)，但您也可以在没有机器的情况下进行清洗和固化。与普遍的看法相反，树脂印刷品会在阴天在室外或窗户内固化。
最终建议
如果您正在寻找一款易于使用、组装快速且打印质量无与伦比的(print quality)树脂打印机(resin printer)，那就别无所求。我们喜欢最初的Mono X，但如果我们今天决定购买哪一个，额外的分辨率、纹理床和更快的打印速度(print speed)将使决定变得容易(decision easy)。
Photon Mono X 6K可预购，价格为 599.00 美元。这仅比普通的Mono X多 100 美元，后者目前的售价为 499 美元，低于 759 美元。
或者，您可以添加 1KG 树脂和Wash and Cure Machine Plus，总计 838 美元。我们非常喜欢Wash and Cure Machine Plus，它让整个过程更快、更轻松、更愉快。
我们不确定预购期结束后价格会是多少，但我们预计它会大幅攀升。但是，对于那些对预购持谨慎态度的人，我们会说这台机器绝对可以生产。此外，购买后，您会发现所有可以使用新 3D 打印机打印的东西都会很有趣。
*特别感谢FormerLurker帮助审查AnyCubic 的Photon Mono X 6K 3D 打印机。
Review of the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K 3D Printer
We’ve been fans оf AnуCubic’s 3D printers since we tried the AnyCubic Photon Mono X аnd one of their filament/FDM printеrs, thе AnyCubic Vyper. Since then, we’ve had a chance to preview the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K.
The Photon Mono X 6K is AnyCubic’s highest-resolution version of the Mono X, a resin printer that uses masked stereolithography to cure a liquid resin into a solid plastic material. We were excited to see the extent to which this new high-res printer could produce highly detailed prints.
We previously covered the perils of resin printing in our review of the AnyCubic Photon Mono X, so we’ll assume you understand the learning curve and clean-up you can expect when printing with masked stereolithography and skip straight to the features of this magical beast.
What’s in the Box
As with the Mono X, you get a bunch of accessories with the Mono X 6K, including metal and plastic spatulas/scrapers, a mask, gloves, and all the parts you need to get the printer up and running.
Assembly and Leveling
After unpacking all the accessories, we assembled and leveled the printer. Assembly took about five minutes, with another five minutes to put on the included screen protector. The pre-fit screen protector is a really nice upgrade because it means you won’t accidentally scratch, and thus ruin, the screen. We recommend you watch a video about how to install the screen protector because it can be a little tricky, and you only get one shot at it. The process is similar to installing a protective film on a smartphone screen.
We noticed that the build instructions didn’t say when to install the screen protector. You should either install it before you level your bed or re-level your bed after putting the protector on the printer. If not, the Z position will be a bit too low.
Leveling the bed was straightforward—just follow the instructions. As with the Mono X, the touch screen walks you through everything you need to level the bed quickly. Here are the steps:
- Using the touch display, tap Tools and then Move.
- Using the touch display, raise the build plate about five or six inches above the screen by tapping the up arrow. This will go faster if you select the 10mm option first.
- Loosen the four screws on the build plate and secure it to the printer.
- Place the leveling paper over the curing screen and press the Home button.
- Click the Home icon on the touch screen and wait for the printer to stop moving.
- Use one hand to press down gently on the build plate. The build plate shouldn’t move at all. Use your other hand to slowly tighten the four screws.
- Now tap the z=0 button, and then select Enter to confirm. The bed will now raise up a bit to give you access to the resin vat.
That’s all there is to it—the printer bed is now level.
Build Volume & Printing Speed
The build volume of the Photon Mono X 6K is virtually identical to that of the Photon Mono X. According to AnyCubic’s online tech specs, the build volume on the 6K version is ever-so-slightly larger.
The maximum print speed of the 6K is 33% faster than that of the Mono X, up to a maximum of eight centimeters an hour. Remember, for resin printers, the time it takes your object to print depends entirely on the exposure time and the number and height of layers, not on how much material is cured per layer.
The New Textured Bed Is Awesome
The Photon Mono X 6K comes with a textured bed that’s a clear upgrade from the bed that came with the Photon Mono X. The textured bed really grips. As a result, it seems far less likely that your print will have adhesion problems.
You can see the difference between the bed textures on the Photon Mono X 6K (left) and the Photon Mono X (right) in the image above.
Print Accuracy and Resolution
Aside from the textured bed, the main difference between the Mono X and the 6K version is the resolution at which the printers print. While the Mono X has a resolution of 3840 x 2400 pixels, the Photon Mono X 6K has a resolution of 5760 x 3600 pixels. That means the AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6K has 125% more resolution than the Mono X printer.
Put another way, for every pixel in the Mono X, the Mono X 6K has 2.5 pixels. That’s a substantial increase. For example, see AnyCubic’s comparison of a print from the Mono X 6K versus a print from a competitor’s 4K printer above.
Product Quality
The quality of the printer is what you’d expect from AnyCubic’s Photon lineup. If you look at the Mono X and Mono X 6K side by side, it’s hard to tell which is which. Same placement of buttons, same cover, same amazing dual linear rail system. The nuts and bolts of the machine haven’t changed that much.
It’s the addition of the super high resolution (6K) LCD screen and the faster print speed that makes this printer stand out from its predecessors.
Washing & Curing Your Print
The process for washing and curing your print is the same across all AnyCubic’s Photon printers. You can use water or alcohol to wash the print, and curing is as mesmerizing as ever. While the Wash and Cure Machine Plus makes these processes simple and satisfying, you could wash and cure without the machine. Contrary to popular belief, resin prints will cure outside or in the window on cloudy days.
Final Recommendation
If you’re looking for a resin printer that’s easy to use, fast to assemble, and unparalleled in print quality, look no further. We loved the original Mono X, but if we were deciding which one to purchase today, the extra resolution, textured bed, and faster print speed would make the decision easy.
The Photon Mono X 6K is available for pre-order at a steal for $599.00. That’s a mere $100 more than the regular Mono X, which is currently on sale for $499, down from $759.
Optionally, you can add 1KG of resin and the Wash and Cure Machine Plus, which brings the total to $838. We absolutely love the Wash and Cure Machine Plus, making the whole process much faster, easier, and more enjoyable.
We’re not sure what the price will be after the pre-order period is over, but we expect it to climb substantially. However, for those of you who are cautious about pre-ordering, we’ll say that this machine is definitely production-ready. Moreover, once you make the purchase, you’ll have fun discovering all the things you can print with your new 3D printer.
*Special thanks to FormerLurker for help in reviewing AnyCubic’s Photon Mono X 6K 3D printer.
