ELEGOO is one of the most popular options for resin printers on the entry level. They carry some of the most versatile and reliable printers in the market such as the famous ELEGOO Saturn Vs Mars. These machines are related to each other and they do have similar capabilities as well which can be confusing to choose from, especially for the first time buyers. If you are currently considering purchasing one of these machines, let’s see below about what they can offer and how they compare to each other.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- What to Know About Resin Printers
- What are ELEGOO Saturn and Mars
- How are the Machine of ELEGOO Saturn and Mars
- How are the Build Volume of ELEGOO Saturn and Mars
- How are the Build Plate in ELEGOO Saturn and Mars
- How are the Screen in ELEGOO Saturn and Mars
- How are the Print Quality of ELEGOO Saturn and Mars
- ELEGOO Saturn Vs Mars
Preparing Resin Printers
Adhesive manufacturing may not be that familiar in the mainstream market but with the increasing number of enthusiasts as well as how people start to realize the full potential of 3D printing, it is slow but sure that the machine will be more well-known in the future. Just imagine creating something from a base material only through a computer and a machine called a 3D printer. Among the types of machines used today, SLA is still the oldest and the most effective method of additive manufacturing.
In general most resin printers today are inverted SLA which address the problem of large printing vats by printing upside down compared to the method in traditional SLA printers that need more room than the printing capacity itself. Now a resin printer has a source of light such as a laser directed up through the bottom of the vat, transparent for the light to come through. After one layer is done curing, the plate will move up one layer at a time.
Just like with an FDM printer, support is a key to achieving a stable and perfect printed object so we have to design the model as ideal as possible. There are plenty to work on the software and this is actually the most difficult part about 3D printing in general. First we have to put a support wall that is at least 0.4mm thick and an unsupported wall should be at least 6mm thick while filleted at the base.
If you choose to print without supports, the unsupported overhangs must be kept less than 1mm in length and at least 19 degree from level. For those printing embossed details including text, it should be at last 0.1mm in height above the surrounding surface. There are still plenty of tips to properly create the model and if possible we should follow them in order to achieve successful printing.
| ELEGOO Saturn | ELEGOO Mars | |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
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| Product Dimensions | 23.5 x 13.1 x 11.7 inches | 22.3 x 11.2 x 11.2 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 21.3 Pounds | 18.9 Pounds |
| Best offer | Check price | Check price |
Next thing to pay attention to is how we must prepare the machine, and this is about the bed leveling on your 3D printer. Compared to FDM, resin printers such as ANYCUBIC Photon Mono Vs Mono SE are coming almost fully assembled except for the build plate and the vat. When installing the plate we have to make sure the distance and flatness of the surface are correct by following the machine’s guide. Additionally, make sure that the vat or resin is clean from any residue such as the previous failed print particles as well as at the proper room temperature.
About ELEGOO Saturn and Mars
These may sound complicated and some of them are indeed complicated but, you will get used to how to handle a 3D machine and how to solve some problems regarding the machine or the print quality itself as we have and play with them often. Not long ago resin printers were more of a professional tools since the machines are expensive but, not anymore today with machines sub $1,000 showing up one after another. These are suitable for anyone who wants to take advantage of resin printers both budget shoppers and curious beginners.
ELEGOO is one of the most prominent players in the market and this company does have some interesting machines to offer. Just like ANYCUBIC with its Photon printers, this brand is offering the ease of use of beginner MSLA printers at a very interesting price point without reducing the overall capabilities. Competing in the now saturated market makes them have to show something more than what the others are capable of and ELEGOO plays well with product pricing along with how good their machines work.
Of course it will be boring to just push a single machine while other manufacturers are carrying a whole line so to accompany the already famous Mars, ELEGOO also released Saturn around a year after. As of now in 2021, the initial prices of both ELEGOO Saturn and Mars have since reduced which makes the two an even more interesting machines to consider. In short Saturn is taking what Mars already has and adding volume to it so now we have a larger machine as well.
This puts Saturn in an interesting position because if you already like Mars then there is no reason to dislike Saturn besides probably its price point. Between ELEGOO Saturn and Mars, the prominent difference will be on their build volume as you can print about two times larger on this machine compared to Mars. It also brings the high-end quality into budget range, perfect for anyone who is requiring the volume for their type of projects.
ELEGOO Saturn and Mars Design
Before checking what the ELEGOO Saturn and Mars can offer, let’s open the box first and see the machines. We are not very good at measuring with eyes but side by side the Saturn is probably about 20-40% larger than Mars. The machines however stay the same in terms of design so you will have the same base with a tinted plastic cover to filter the light. As you can expect everything is attached but the building plate and the vat.
Despite the machine getting bigger, surprisingly the control panel stays the same in size which is a 3.5-inch type of full color display with touch sensitivity. Another thing we recognize here is now Saturn’s vat has this little helper at the corner to aid with resin changing. Thankfully we can see the Max fill labeling in Saturn’s vat while they also include a measuring cup in the box, it is better with a clear indicator that we can see on the machine because with larger machines we have to monitor the resin more carefully too.
ELEGOO Saturn and Mars Volume
Now for the most important part, let’s talk about the ELEGOO Saturn and Mars capacity since this is what makes Saturn a very eye catching machine when it enters the market for the first time. Small resin machines that can deliver 120mm by 68mm by 155mm capacity like Mars is very common out there but increasing the object up to 192mm by 120mm by 200mm is impressively attractive for a machine sub $1,000 as we only see them on the professional lines previously.
ELEGOO Saturn and Mars Build Plate
Next we want to talk about the machine itself and starting with the build plate, both of them are using the same mechanism so Saturn still has this slot-like holder where you can slide the plate and its mounting. The ball mounting has two large screws at the front and side so these are what tighten and loosen the plate. Just like most printers, ELEGOO Saturn and Mars require manual leveling but worry not because the machines will guide you to perform this simple task.
What’s different now is the Z axis rod is supported by two linear rails on each of its sides. This did not exist on the Mars machine so we do think it is meant to improve the stability because larger print volume means heavier objects as well.
ELEGOO Saturn and Mars Screen
Next on the screen technology, the machine we are comparing today is the Mars Pro instead of the original Mars because the former machine is difficult to find here and the lowest version you can buy now is probably the Mars2. The difference between the two is if you are choosing the original machine it was using 2K RGB LCD while the Pro version is using Mono LCD, the same with, Mars2 and Mars 2 Pro from this company.
To accommodate the larger built volume, this Saturn machine is upgraded with a larger 4K mono LCD screen with XY resolution at 0.05 instead of 0.047mm. The layer thickness is the same at 0.01-0.02mm but the most interesting part is due to using a mono screen the printing process on these printers are quite fast compared to the other machines with different screens.
ELEGOO Saturn and Mars Print Quality
Lastly on the printing quality, we do think both ELEGOO Saturn and Mars are delivering a very good printing quality. They are capable of printing them at the same level of details that are visually difficult to distinguish as from the naked eyes they are very well sculpted. Speed wise they are the same as well and in ease of use they are carrying the same convenience, working with the popular slicer ChiTu Box. Overall the experience with both machines are easily satisfying.
ELEGOO Saturn Vs Mars
Both machines are very capable but it is getting difficult to find the original Mars and the Pro is probably the closest machine to the original printer and should be the one released earlier as the first from the line. Comparing the two, they are working really well in details and ease of use that the only noticeable difference is on the build volume and if you already have Mars or Mars Pro, we do think they are comparable to each other.
Conclusion
Both machines are great choices as your first or upgraded machine. The prominent difference is on the volume only and while there are some added and better designs, they are not as much affecting how the print quality looks like so if your Mars is too small for the application, Saturn is a great upgrade for the price.