Anycubic Photon Mono SE Review – Worth Buying or Not?
ByMichael DwamenaReading Time: 9 minutes
The Anycubic Photon Mono SE is a resin 3D printer that delivers some serious 3D printing speed, while keeping print quality and resolution at the top of its game.
There are tons of features that many current users of this machine love, which I’ll go through in this review.
From the design and looks, down to the performance and operation, the Mono SE is a well-respected printer that you can be sure will do well for your 3D printing desires.
I’m surprised at how competitive the prices are, which you can check out directly on the Anycubic website. Check out the current price of the Anycubic Photon Mono SE.
This review will go through many of the important factors such as features, benefits, downsides, specifications, and what other people are saying about it, so stay tuned and get all the key information.
As its light source, Anycubic Photon Mono SE includes a six-inch monochrome LCD with 2K (2560 x 1620) screen resolution. Combined with 10 microns Z-Axis positioning accuracy, it should have an XY resolution of 51 microns to get better results.
New Matrix Parallel Light Source
It comes with a new matrix parallel light sauce that ensures better, uniform, and efficient heat dissipation and exposure. This new monochrome LCD is thermally stable and can easily print for more than 2,000 hours which is much longer than many other LCDs.
Fast Printing Speed
Its large size monochrome LCD allows a lot of light to pass through, which results in a significant increase in exposure time.
The manufacturers claim that the exposure time can get reduced to just one second, this allows the 3D printer to print at a speed 2 to 3 times faster than common printers.
Photon Mono SE only takes 1 to 2 seconds to print a layer instead of 7 to 8 seconds usually taken by non-monochrome traditional 3D printers.
The other versions of the Photon Series can only print up to 60mm/h but Photon Mono SE can print at a maximum speed of 80mm/h.
Wi-Fi Supported App Remote Control
This 3D printer comes with an easy-to-use interface that allows beginners to work efficiently. Controlling the machines remotely through the app is one of the most favorable features because it makes the process easy for the users.
You can adjust the print settings, control the operations, and monitor the printing process through the Wi-Fi supported app without getting close to the machine.
UV Cooling System
The machine comes with an integrated cooling system for the printer’s UV exposure unit. This built-in cooling system not only provides better printing performance but also increases the printer’s service life.
The heat dissipation works really well to improve printing quality.
Easy Bed Leveling System
The bed leveling system in Photon Mono SE is far easy and can be done in two simple steps. Just press the “Home” on the printer and tighten the screw without requiring any hard to do method or technique.
Own Anycubic Slicing Software
The printer comes with its own slicing software with the name, Anycubic Photon Workshop. This self-developed slicing software works fairly well for Photon Mono SE 3D printer, though there are other professional slicer solutions that people use instead.
From the design and interface standpoint, Photon Workshop offers a look related to ChiTuBox, offering easy to operate features such as punch hole, modeling, designing, and hollowing.
From personal experience, the user experience isn’t the greatest, so I’d recommend going for a different option, though it still works well enough.
I’d go for Lychee Slicer or ChiTuBox as an alternative. Since the software is proprietary to the specific file type, you may need to transfer STL files from one software back into the Photon Workshop to get your printer to recognize the file.
I know the Lychee Slicer has expanded their file saving options to work better with Anycubic printers such as the Mono X, so I do think the Mono SE is included in that.
High-Performance Dual Linear Z-Axis
Anycubic Photon Mono SE’s Z-Axis is fully supported by a stepper motor, dual linear rails, and clearance nut combination. These supports improve the Z-Axis performance, stability, during the movements and ultimately reduces the layer shifting risk effectively.
High-Quality Power Supply
A power supply that gives you a steady and safe stream of power is effective in assisting with successful prints. Anycubic made sure to get a high quality power supply to go with the Mono SE, so you can rely on it after long-term use.
It has UL certification, CE marking, as well as ETL certification.
Brushed Aluminum Platform
Getting 3D prints to actually stick to the build platform can be difficult in some cases, but with a brushed aluminum platform, the surface works better to improve bed adhesion.
Rather than having to wet sand your own build platform, Anycubic have provided one that has pre-made marks that allow your resin 3D prints to stick down better.
Air Filter System
The Mono SE has some mounted fans which sits above some activated carbon filters, providing resistance to strong odors that come from the 3D printer resins. It has two fans inside which also work to prevent dust and other particles getting in between layers.
Unlike the Photon Mono and Photon Mono X, the SE has this filtration feature, so you can enjoy the reduction in odor over the other 3D printer releases.
You’ll have to replace the carbon filters after some time since they don’t last forever, but this is made easy since Anycubic designed it to be quick to access.
Provides a high precision with a minimum layer height of 10 microns (2K resolution).
The platform can be easily calibrated using a single nut
The system includes high-performance air filters
Its high printing speed is about 3-4 times faster than an RGB screen
The printer has a reduced exposure time to 1 second
Easy to use interface
Allow you to remotely adjust the print settings, control the print operations, and monitor the progress.
System packing includes other necessary accessories such as handles, scrapper, masks, gloves, funnels, etc.
This 3D printer does include a Wi-Fi Module or Antenna
Includes a high-quality metal resin vat
Downsides of the Anycubic Photon Mono SE
A drawback is its non-removable lid, though some people enjoy this concept since it takes up less space
Its build volume is relatively low as compared to other resin 3D printers.
The proprietary file type is limited to certain slicers and may mean extra steps to get your desired model.
Specifications of the Anycubic Photon Mono SE
System Series: Photon
Display Screen: 6.08-Inch Touch Screen
Technology: LCD Based SLA (Stereolithography)
Printer Type: Resin 3D Printer
Operating System: Windows, Mac OS X
Layer Height: 10+ Microns
Build Volume: 130mm, 78mm, 160mm (L, W, H)
Max Printing Speed: 80mm/h
Compatible Materials: 405nm UV Resin
Z-Axis Positioning Accuracy: 0.01mm
XY Resolution: 0.051mm 2560 x 1620 Pixels
File Types: STL
Power: 55W
Assembly: Fully Assembled
Connectivity: USB
Printer Dimensions: (L)220mm x (W)200mm x (H)400mm
Third-Party Materials: Yes
Slicer Software: Anycubic Photon Workshop
Weight: 8.2 KG (18.07 Pounds)
Customer Reviews of the Anycubic Photon Mono SE
The feeling after completing the first two 3D prints was a great one as one user of the Mono SE (Banggood) described. Even from day 1, you can expect to be impressed with the stunning quality and detailed precision.
Being able to have an exposure time of just 1.5 seconds is a concept that many thought wouldn’t be possible, but it has been achieved with this amazing 3D printer.
I think one of the main aspects that users love is just how easy things are to set up. Gone are the days of complicated pieces and parts that fit together like a puzzle. Compared to your standard FDM 3D printer, assembling the Mono SE is a breeze.
A user said that using this printer was much easier, and it was fully assembled. All he had to do was to unpack the machine, remove the safety foam, and plug the power cable to get things done.
When talking about this 3D printer and people’s experience with it, the speed always comes up. The Photon S was the previous version, which at the time of release, worked superfast, but this one has still gone up a few levels in speed.
Users are happy with its fast printing speed and precision. They mention that the level of details and precision is much higher when compared to Photon’s previous versions and even more from many 3D printers of other brands.
The cherry on top is the new screw design for easy leveling. I’ve gone through the frustration of trying to level a filament printer, namely my Ender 3.
One of the users said that he was very happy with its single screw bed leveling system. With the new screw design and leveling mechanism, a lot of his time was saved and the print came out with an amazing quality.
Being able to level just one part and not needing to do extra testing or not being sure it’s actually level, is a great feature that is often overlooked.
Anycubic Photon Mono SE Review – Worth Buying or Not?
Anycubic is a well-known name in the 3D printers industry and to maintain their reputation, they are working consistently to bring up the best 3D printers that can provide ease of working to the precious users.
As described above, Anycubic Photon Mono SE has come up with many amazing features and powerful specifications which is worthy of buying for anyone who wants to experience the best resin 3D printing.
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