Resin printers like Anycubic Photon Mono 4K Vs Mono X are best for a highly detailed result. They are not only able to print various items for varying purposes but also at a different capacity that may affect your decision. These machines are very similar in performance, but they are pretty different specs-wise. If you wonder which of the two to buy, here is what to know about the printers.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- What is Resin Printing
- What are Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X
- How are the Machine of Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X
- How are the Capacity of Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X
- How are the LCD in Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X
- How is the Z-axis in Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X
- What is the Slicer for Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X
- What else Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X can offer
- Anycubic Photon Mono 4K Vs Mono X
Resin Printing
3D printing is revolutionary as it allows people to create in the comfort of their own homes. The machine opens up many possibilities, starting from professionals who want to model their product first to hobbyists who love creating many items from their creativity. The machine can make anything that can be built with plastic material. They are also very affordable to start with, and there is so much information we can look for to know more about how the machine works or troubleshooting.
One of the most common 3D printers is resin-based, often called stereolithography (SLA). Based on the technology used to cure this liquid resin, there are many machine varieties such as SLA, DLP, and LCD. They all work similarly when it comes to curing or hardening; a light source exposes UV light to liquid resin, one part at a time. This method is, in general, slower than Fused Deposition Modeling, but the level of detail is higher.
This makes the machine very popular among the sea of FDM printers that often cost lower and are easier to start with. Quality like details are crucial for some applications where your model is highly complicated, so choosing a machine that can replicate the design properly is best. Is resin more expensive than filament? Yes, the cost of owning a resin printer and the material used are typically more expensive than FDM with their filament. Additionally, they tend to be messy because we are working with liquid.
| Anycubic Photon Mono 4K | Anycubic Photon Mono X | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 8.74 x 8.94 x 15.08 inches | 10 x 11.4 x 18.7 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 9.35 pounds | 23.5 pounds |
| Shop now at Amazon | Check price | Check price |
About Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X
There is no single option that will be perfect for every application, so it is wise to consider what you will need them for rather than saying a specific machine is the best. 3D resin printers can create more minor details, perfect for the type of application that calls for such quality. While currently not as popular as the FDM variants, resin printers are still widely available, and most companies who made FDM also have the resin printer in the collection.
One of them is Anycubic, and if you ever heard of Mega or Predator FDM machines, they are coming from the same manufacturer. Mega series is one of the most popular entry-level choices for people who want to get a quick start on printing. Predator, for example, is a perfect choice if your printing process requires a taller height. As for the resin-based printer, Anycubic has Photon series. It consists of several machines, primarily small and entry-level collections with convenience features.
If you need something more than just a basic resin machine with more character, the Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X are two exciting options to consider. These models are higher choices than the Anycubic Photon Mono Vs Elegoo Mars 2 Pro, and one of the most noticeable upgrades is their 4K LCD panel. Are Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X an SLA printer? These two are MSLA which is quite different from SLA as it used masked LCD to solidify the layers.
Performance-wise, these machines use the same technology, so the core is the same, but the specs are quite different. One of the most crucial factors when considering a new machine is the model they can make, and for the Mono X, this machine is perfect for users planning to cure larger items. Does Anycubic Photon Mono X worth it? We think it will be a worthy investment, specifically for operators who want to upgrade their entry-level machine’s capacity.
Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X Machine
If you have seen the Photon Mono line, the fashion of this family is very similar to each other. Anycubic chooses to use one base and combine it with a removable lid. The lid is plastic and transparent so the operator can monitor the curing process. However, the form factor is different, and it is easy to see why. Photon Mono X is coming with a higher build volume, so the machine is also bigger at 270-mm wide, 290-mm deep, and 470-mm tall.
The Photon Mono 4K is also larger than their entry-level model at 222-mm wide, 227-mm deep, and 383-mm tall. For some reason, Anycubic keeps placing the USB on the right panel of the machine, which means we need to have good clearance on this side; we hope they choose to put it at the front for higher convenience. The Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X machines have minimum assembly. Users will only need to install the vat, build plate, and do a basic setup before using the printer.
Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X Capacity
When buying a 3D printer, regardless of the type, it is crucial to consider the build volume or capacity of the machine. Try to measure the size of typical items you will be printing with the machine and match the size to their capacity. Typically resin printers are smaller, so they are not ideal for making large items, but, in comparison, the Photon Mono 4K is noticeably smaller at 135-mm wide, 80mm deep, and 165-tall. The Mono X is 192-mm wide, 120-mm deep, and 245-mm tall.
Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X LCD
Moving further, let’s see what’s most interesting about these machines: the masking technology. Not very long ago, Monochromatic became a massive movement in resin printing because they can increase the curing process, making your machine faster. The next trend is to increase the resolution, and this is why Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X are coming with a 4K panel. The main difference is the size of the panel because it is between 6.23-inch and 8.9-inch LCD.
These specs affect pixel density because Photon Mono X will have an XY resolution of 50 microns instead of 35 microns on the Mono 4K. Monochromatic LCD is seen as a better resolution in 3D printing because the panel has a higher UV light permeability, which suggests that it can cure layer faster at 1.5-2 seconds than the RGB screen, which can take around 6 seconds. Another advantage of using a monochromatic screen is that it lasts longer for about 2000 hours or four times longer than RGB.
Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X Z-axis
The Z-axis is another difference between Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X. Being the bigger machine, Photon Mono X needs to be stable enough to sustain the weight of the model we print, and this is why it comes with dual Z-axis. The Photon Mono 4K only uses a single axis, and this is fine for smaller machines, but having it double means the plate will be more accurate in movement. As for removing, installing, and leveling the build plate, both machines are using the same method.
Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X Slicer
Before feeding the design to your machine, we will need a slicer. Like any Anycubic resin printer, the Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X are using Anycubic Photon Workshop. This is their proprietary software, and we should be able to perform the essential functions to set up resin printing. Using this software, the operator can hollow, punch-hole, and make cutting functions. There is even a feature to put letters on your model. It supports 8x anti-aliasing, and a high chance we can use ChiTuBox too.
Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X Features
Lastly, we think Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X come with all the essential features that make an excellent 3D printer easy to operate. The resin vat has an indicator to tell the amount of liquid inside. The machines have this brushed aluminum finish that is easy to clean if the resin drip or falls into the surface. The user interface is easy to understand or intuitive, while the touch screen is bright and responsive. There is an automatic shut-off that automatically stops the printing when the top cover is removed and WiFi for the Mono X.
Anycubic Photon Mono 4K Vs Mono X
The core specs of Anycubic Photon Mono 4K and Mono X are very similar. In comparison, the main difference between these machines is the capacity and Z-axis rail. Because Mono X is a significantly larger machine than Mono 4K, this dual-axis is meant to improve the stability and accuracy of the Z-axis to achieve a perfect print. In addition, because they use the same 4K display, but Mono X is larger, the pixel density is not as small as Mono 4K.
Conclusion
Both machines are good options if you want a higher model for the new resin printer. We recommend the Photon Mono X, especially for those utilizing its extra build quality. But, if your products don’t require a large capacity but extra details, the Mono 4K with better pixel density can be an excellent choice; moreover, it is cheaper.