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Mars is a desktop-sized UV LCD resin 3D printer that delivers premium quality prints. Offering a modest build volume of 120 mm * 68 mm * 155 mm, Mars is limited to the jewelry industry, tabletop miniatures, and small mechanical prototypes. All its functions are controlled via a 3.5 inches wide full-color touch screen interface present on its front panel.
The heart of the machine is 2560*1440 2K LCD screen backed by an array of 405 nanometers UV lights and mirrors delivering an industry-standard resolution of 0.047mm.
All the parts manufactured on Mars are known to have a layer height of 0.01mm i.e., higher quality than most sophisticated FFF 3D printers. The machine is supported by the well-established and reliable software named ChiTubox 3D slicer.
Mars has many amazing features packed in a very compact size. So, let’s explore them one after the other in this in-depth review.
Features
Elegoo Mars is a very easy-to-grasp printer producing excellent print quality. It has a very compact design and a considerable build volume with an aluminum base and an orange cover. At the core of the printer is a vat of resin and a build platform dipped repeatedly into it.
An ultraviolet light cures the resin layer by layer as the build platform goes in and out of the resin tray. Let’s explore more of the printer’s amazing features one after the other.
Unique and Efficient Design
Equipped with a unique steel ball design, with Mars, all you need is the Z-axis to return to zero and then lock the leveling screw for starting to print. The printer leans much towards the smaller side, not taking up much space and offering a small build volume.
The aluminum baselines are perfectly up with the orange UV cover looking sleek on a workbench. It has a really small footprint around 7.87 inches * 7.87 inches square space with 16.14 inches in height.
A touch screen interface is present on the front of the base is easy to navigate and intuitive in design. Every minute tweak that the user needs to do on the printer is available. Such as basic printer settings, leveling tools, and access to the flash drive storage.
Printed parts are loaded onto a flash drive that can be plugged into the USB slot on the back of the printer. Also, the back panel houses the power button and power cord port.
Speedy Slicing
Elegoo Marks comes with the latest version of CHITUBOX slicing software that takes only a minute to slice 30MB STL model files which the open-sourced slicing software would take up to 10 minutes. The application allows users to hollow out the model before slicing which saves the resin during the photocuring process.
Plug to Play
The printer comes to you already set up, its box has everything that users need for 3D printing their first 3D model.
The box includes the printer, enough resin, gloves, filter funnels, masks, wire cutters, measuring cups, flash drive, and scraper, etc.
So, all one needs to do after receiving the printer is unwrap it and settle the parts present inside at proper place and give the printer a power consumption to start 3D printing.
Removable UV Blocking Lid
The resin and print vat can be accessed via a removable UV-blocking lid that can be fully removed. Once that is done, there is enough clearance around the Z-axis assembly for it to rapidly feel second nature, slinging the lid on and off without catching it on the machine’s appendages.
Moreover, the entire lid can be lifted away thereby giving users unfettered access to remove the vat. So, users can remove the vat without ever having to squeeze through the door’s width thereby leading to an overall tidier experience than with other printers.
Easy Setup and Leveling
Mars is pleasantly simple to set up. The printer’s plate leveling relies on a ball-jointed print plate that users need to loosen via two grub screws. After doing so, the operator needs to lower the plate to the vat bottom as per the instructions provided in the manual.
A firm press for ensuring the level surface and tightening does the job. All of these take not more than two minutes after which you can plug the printer in, level the plate, and queue the print up.
Compatible with Multiple Resins
The printer is one of the most modern desktop LCD 3D printers that are compatible with more than 405 nanometers UV-sensitive resins.
Having stated so, no resin comes along the printer so users need to source their resin before 3D printing. Even complicated resins such as Phrozen ABS-like and standard Anycubic resins print straightforwardly.
Spectacular Print Quality
Across the board, Mars’ print quality is spectacular. Specifically, when 3D printing with LCD 3D printers, any flaws in the Z-axis motion appear exaggerated given the smoothness with which resin prints normally turn out.
The printer can print small pixels at the level of 47 microns in its X and Y axis, appearing smooth to the naked eye.
Easy Removal of Support Materials
The support material generated by Chitubox snaps right off and gives no resistance as well as difficulty in removal. Once the part is soaked in a container of warm tap water for a few minutes, the support material pops off with almost no difficulty.
Moreover, there are many settings for support generation available on Chitubox. So, users can easily adjust for creating thinner or more robust support structures depending on the type of application the part is meant for.
But please note that once the support is removed, the part must be placed in a UV chamber for finalizing the polymerization of any uncured resin.
Specifications
Based on LCD 3D printing technology, Elegoo Mars prints parts and functional prototypes using resin materials.
The printer comes fully assembled and offers users a build volume of 120 mm * 68 mm * 155 mm. The minimum layer height possible on parts manufactured using the printer is just about 10 microns.
The machine prints to produce a resolution of 2560 * 1440 pixels. It needs to be manually assisted with the bed leveling procedure necessary before 3D printing a part or functional prototypes.
A 3.5 inches wide full-color touchscreen interface lets users print parts in one click. Users can connect to the printer using a USB cord.
Elegoo Mars allows users to print with third-party materials, provided that the resins have a wavelength of 405 nanometers. The printer weighs 6.8 kilograms and hence is easily transportable.
Price
Elegoo Mars is available for $150.
First Impression
The printer has a well-built, robust aluminum body with a matte finish giving users a polished premium feel. The printer’s overall dimensions are 195 mm * 195 mm * 405 mm and are ideal to be placed as a household desktop.
The machine has well thought over architecture and there is a USB port at the back of its body to connect to it and transfer files.
Setup
As with standard resin printers, Mars too features a UV filtering cover over the print area. It is in place for preventing the resin in the tank from curing prematurely because of external UV sources like the sun. Included in the box is almost everything that the user needs to start their printing in a few minutes.
The tools needed to loosen or tighten various screws present on the body of the printer are included along with plenty of spare screws.
An instruction manual is included in the box that guides the complete leveling process which takes about five minutes. Following the user manual, even beginners can level the print bed which will then stay as it is for at least a couple of weeks even after heavy use.
After that, you can assemble the UV cover and build a plate while pouring resin or removing prints. Then, connect Mars to the power adapter provided by the Elegoo.
The flash drive already contains a test file that can be printed on the printer. Power the printer and connect the flash drive, thereby pouring the resin into 1/3rd of the tank and gear up with gloves and a mask before working with the photopolymer resin and you are good to go.
Print Type/Cost
Elegoo Mars prints using masked Stereolithography 3D printing technology. Herein a vat of resin and the build platform is dipped repeatedly into it.
An ultraviolet light cures the resin layer by layer so as the build platform goes in and out of the resin tray then another hardened layer is added to it.
The cost of 3D printing a part with MSLA 3D printing technology is generally greater than other 3D printing technologies.
However, it depends on various factors such as part geometry, the resin that you are 3D printing with, the type of support materials needed, and much more.
Print Quality
Credit: ytimg.com
Elegoo’s claim for Mars that it can offer prints in the layer height range of 0.01 to 0.02 microns stands bold.
The prints come off well from the plate and they have on them the detailing that would not generally be possible on a desktop FDM 3D printer in the same price range. All the test prints like printing a rook or a bench on Elegoo Mars turn out to produce great results and excellent surface finishes.
Software
Elegoo Mars comes with the latest version of Chitubox slicing software giving users an extraordinary user experience. It takes only one minute to slice a 30MB file for which other open-source software takes 10 minutes.
Customer Support
All that a user needs are available for download on the website of Elegoo. Manual, tutorials, applications, video assembly instructions, and much more.
Apart from this if something is bothering you, Elegoo’s technical team is available via phone as well as by email for assistance.
Parameters Influencing Buying Decision
Below mentioned are Elegoo Mars’ key factors that are worth knowing before buying it.
3D Printer Cost: Considering the print quality that Mars offers, $200 is a very affordable price that Elegoo demands.
3D Print Speed: Average.
3D Print Quality: Excellent quality surface finishes because of layer resolution ranging anywhere from 0.1 to 0.2 microns is available on all the parts manufactured on Elegoo which is difficult to find on printers in the same price range.
3D Printer Capability: The printer is capable of printing with multiple resins having wavelengths in the order of 405 nanometers.
3D Printer Practicality: Elegoo Mars is primarily meant to give an exposure of masked SLA 3D printing technology to the layman who cannot afford to buy high-end industrial-grade 3D printers and yet is in search of dimensionally accurate precision.
3D Printer User Expectations: The printer offers a simple, straightforward, and rewarding 3D printing experience even to beginners. It ensures that you make the most of the money that you are investing in by providing you a world-class 3D experience.
The Verdict
Overall, Elegoo Mars is an affordable desktop 3D printer with the quality and performance of a professional 3D printer. It’s an ideal machine for newbies and enthusiasts in the field of 3D printing.
Not only does it have a sleek and optimal design, but also extraordinary features that enable users to generate fine detailing on parts and functional prototypes.
So, if you are looking to make the most out of a printer by giving in little effort, Elegoo Mars is a decent choice especially considering the price range in which it is available.
Parts manufactured from the printer can be used in various industries because of the layer resolution range they are available in. Pretty productive, yeah?
