Simple Elegoo Saturn Review – Worth Buying or Not?
The Elegoo Saturn MSLA 3D Printer is a shining addition to the Elegoo range of printers. Its predecessor, the Elegoo Mars 3D printer made waves in the industry and gained stellar reviews from creators and 3D printing enthusiasts across the globe.
It boasts of being a truly promising 3D printer under a budget. This 3D printer offers some outstanding features that will surely drive you to think about it as your next upgrade or purchase.
Let’s look into what makes users rave about the Elegoo Saturn 3D printer.
Features of the Elegoo Saturn
- 8.9″ 4K Monochrome LCD
- 54 UV LED Matrix Light Source
- HD Print Resolution
- Double Linear Z-Axis Rails
- Large Build Volume
- Color Touch Screen
- Ethernet Port File Transfer
- Long-Lasting Leveling
- Sanded Aluminum Build Plate
8.9″ 4K Monochrome LCD
The Elegoo Saturn 3D printer comes with an 8.9inch 4K Monochrome LCD with an HD resolution of 3840 x 2400. The monochrome LCD helps in reducing the curing times of the resin by a large extent.
This 3D printer reduces the layer printing time to 1.5s-2s, which is 60% faster than Mars Pro. What’s remarkable is that despite this, there is no compromise on the print quality, it is outstanding as ever.
54 UV LED Matrix Light Source
Matrix light source present in the Saturn consists of 54 UV LED lights with uniform light emission, ensuring superior print results and a more accurate printing size.
The set screws on the build plate assure long-lasting leveling, no need for frequent calibration, and the sandblasted surface provides a much stronger adherence, especially when printing large 3D models.
HD Print Resolution
The Elegoo Saturn 3D printer comes with an HD resolution of 3840 x 2400. It is interesting to note that it is four times more than the number of pixels that 2K screens offer.
However, owing to its large build size, the overall X/Y pixel size comes down to 50 microns. It is just a little more than the pixel size found in Mars and Mars Pro (i.e. 47 microns). Nonetheless, the print details remain exquisite.
Double Linear Z-Axis Rails
The significant size of the Saturn means it is important to ensure it has great stability throughout the printing process.
This is where dual linear rails come into play.
The 3D printer utilizes two linear rails on its Z-axis, with the lead screw sandwiched in between them. This enhances the printer’s moving accuracy and helps in keeping it sturdy and fixed.
Large Build Volume
The Elegoo Saturn has a large printing volume of 192 x 120 x 200mm/7.55in x 4.72in x 7.87in. With a print capacity like this, coupled with accelerated print speed, you can surely have a lot of fun while printing.
It gives you the freedom to print multiple full-sized models at the same time, which can dramatically improve your productivity.
Color Touch Screen
The user interface involves a 3.5-inch color touch screen that is powered by the latest firmware. Incredibly straightforward and easy to use, you are bound to have a fuss-free printing operation experience.
The design and accessibility is top-level, giving a seamless screen at the front of the 3D printer.
Ethernet Port File Transfer
Rather than just have a USB connection, you can also make use of the ethernet port at the back of the Elegoo Saturn for quick transfer speeds. It allows for file transfers through your local area network.
Most people usually stick with the USB option, but this is a nice change for people who have the desire to use it. You also have a 4 GB built-in data disk to make use of.
Long-Lasting Leveling
This 3D printer is sturdy in many ways, especially when it comes to leveling the build plate. Once you’ve tightened the set screws on the build plate, you can be sure to have a bed which should stay leveled for a long time.
You don’t need to regularly calibrate or reset your 3D printer bed level, allowing you to get more successful 3D prints down the line without all the hassles.
Sanded Aluminum Build Plate
The build plate surface has been specially sanded to promote better adhesion for your 3D prints. Through testing and experimenting, it is found that sanding the aluminum build plate gives the surface more opportunities to grip the print.
This is now a fairly standard procedure when it comes to resin 3D printers, so you can definitely benefit from this feature.
Benefits of the Elegoo Saturn
- Outstanding print quality
- Accelerated printing speed
- Large build volume and resin vat
- High accuracy and precision
- Rapid layer-curing time and faster overall printing times
- Ideal for large prints
- Overall metal build
- USB, Ethernet connectivity for remote printing
- User-friendly interface
- Fuss-free, seamless printing experience
Downsides of the Elegoo Saturn
- Cooling fans can be slightly noisy
- No built-in carbon filter
- Possibility of layer shifts on prints
- Build plate adhesion can be a little difficult
- Been having stock issues, but hopefully that gets resolved!
Specifications of the Elegoo Saturn
- Operation: 3.5 Inch Touch Screen
- Slicer Software: ChiTu DLP Slicer
- Connectivity: USB
- Technology: LCD UV Photo curing
- Light source: UV Integrated LED lights (wavelength 405nm)
- XY Resolution: 0.05mm (3840 x 2400)
- Z Axis Accuracy: 0.00125mm
- Layer Thickness: 0.01-0.15mm
- Printing Speed: 30-40mm/h
- Power Requirements: 110-240V 50/60Hz 24V4A 96W
- Printer Dimensions: 280 x 240 x 446mm (11.02″ x 9.44″ x 17.55″)
- Build Volume: 192 x 120 x 200mm (7.55″ x 4.72″ x 7.87″)
- Weight: 22 Lbs (10 Kg)
Customer Reviews on the Elegoo Saturn
The Elegoo Saturn MSLA 3D printer has gathered stellar reviews from across the globe with users claiming that they hit it out of the ballpark this time.
Several creators and 3D printing enthusiasts are calling the Elegoo Saturn as their workhorse printer.
The outstanding print quality of this 3D printer is impressing the most sceptical users.
With an overall metal build, strong and sturdy mechanism, the Elegoo Saturn is providing users with the ultimate 3D printing experience.
Users seem quite happy with how well-built the printer is. With the build plate perfectly flat, users share that with the right settings the printed parts attach themselves very well to the surface.
With amped up layer curing time, you will face little to no adhesion issues with the Saturn.
Incredibly easy to set-up, you can go from unboxing the package to printing in just a matter of few minutes. With such a print volume at this cost, users are describing this machine as a revolutionary game changer in the 3D printing industry.
Even after long-term use, creators have barely reported any signs of damage and the Saturn continues to print flawlessly in all its glory. Nonetheless, a couple of users noticed layer shifts on their prints.
Users also wish that the 3D printer came with an air purifier, like the Mars 2 Pro.
The huge build volume of the Saturn has gained immense praises from users and 3D printing enthusiasts.
With a print capacity of this extent coupled with accelerated print speed, users are now printing multiple full-sized models at the same time successfully.
Users recommend this printer to people who are new to 3D resin printing and would like to start with a medium-sized printer.
If you are looking for a printer of this size at an amazing price with outstanding features – MSLA, huge build volume, linear rails, and a bunch of well thought out touches, the Elegoo Saturn is unarguably the best 3D printer out there.
Verdict – Elegoo Saturn Worth Buying or Not?
I would definitely recommend going with the Elegoo Saturn, seeing as it comes from a company with a long track record of great resin 3D printers. Many of the top 3D printer hobbyists influenceers are showing this 3D printer plenty of love.
In terms of the features, benefits, and customer reviews, they all point in a very positive direction in terms of print quality, ease of operation, and printing speed.
You can get yourself the Elegoo Saturn from Amazon today.