Anycubic Photon Mono 4K: Specs, Price, Release & Reviews

Recently, Anycubic unveiled Photon Mono 4K. Continue reading for our analysis of the specifications for this printer.

For a brief while, it appeared that Anycubic would not be adding more pixels to keep up with the MSLA mob. The DLP-based Photon Ultra’s introduction said as much. Unfortunately, Anycubic is not immune to this specific race to the top (or bottom?). A 4K version of the company’s entry-level resin 3D printer, the Photon Mono, and a new 6K version of the bigger Photon Mono X has been released in response to the apparent need for ever-higher resolutions. After all, it appears like Anycubic is pursuing the high-resolution 3D printing objective using a two-pronged strategy.

The Photon Mono 4K was released by Anycubic around a year after the original Photon Mono, which has a 2K LCD with a 50-micron pixel resolution, was first introduced. There are a few significant modifications outside the most noticeable one, the 4K LCD and the 35-micron pixel resolution it delivers, even though it is essentially the same as the original Mono.

Continue reading to learn more about the new screen, its several new pixels, and the new Anycubic Photon Mono 4k.

Anycubic Photon Mono 4K Features

Resin 3D printing is a rapidly developing field. Monochrome masking LCDs were the big new thing not too long ago. As is customary, the innovation lies entirely in how many thousands of pixels may be crammed into that area.

Anycubic has now entered the 4K club, joining devices like the Elegoo Mars 3 and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K in addition to brands like Longer and Epax. They unveiled an improved model of the Photon Mono, their first low-cost resin 3D printer.

Essentially the same printer, the Photon Mono 4K has more than twice as many pixels. Its 6.23-inch mono LCD provides the same 132 x 80 mm printing area (165 mm on the Z-axis). The original Mono gives an XY-axis resolution of 50 microns; the higher pixel density results in a more acceptable XY-axis resolution of 35 microns.

The monochrome panel supports quick layer cure times in addition to being 4K. Alternatively, rapid printing. The typical layer curing time is 1-2 seconds. A 50 mm/h print speed is what Anycubic advertises.

INCREASED CONTRAST

The mono LCD utilized for the new Photon Mono 4K version, according to Anycubic, also has a 400:1 contrast ratio, which is claimed to be 100% better than the original. The improved contrast will improve the print quality, displaying the image in the exposure area with sharper corners and edges. Alternatively, clearer printing.

Additionally, it considerably decreases any potential print residue in the resin vat. Bonus.

A NEW SOURCE OF LIGHT

A good light source is essential for quick and precise resin 3D printing and a high light-transmitting LCD display (monochrome). A mono screen wouldn’t be much use if there wasn’t enough light coming in, to begin with.

Anycubic has created (yet another) brand-new matrix light source design for the Photon Mono 4K. It is claimed that ingesting 15 quartz lamp beads will result in more consistent UV light transmission.

Additionally, the UV light output can be changed. Anycubic claims that the Mono 4K can be adjusted anywhere between 30 and 100 percent, making it possible to print resins with various UV energy requirements and extend the life of the LCD.

In our assessment, we appreciated the Photon Mono X for having this amount of user control. We understand that it has been carried over to the new Photon Mono.

SCREEN PROTECTION

According to conversations on open forums online, screen shielding for the LCDs inside MSLA-style printers appears to be in high demand, mainly to prevent scratches when sliding the vat in and out. Others genuinely seem unconcerned. The Photon Mono 4K has an anti-scratch coating to shield the LCD from debris and resin leaks, which will suit those in the first category.

PHOTON WORKSHOP

Anycubic’s proprietary slicer, Photon Workshop, created in-house, will be included with the Photon Mono 4K. Photon Workshop has several cool features, such as the ability to add text to prints and 8x anti-aliasing.
ChiTuBox and Lychee slicers have worked with previous Anycubic Photon printers. It’s unlikely that you will be able to use ChiTuBox with the Photon Mono 4K because ChiTuBox’s parent company CTB-Tech has taken steps to limit its slicer to printers using its controllers and firmware (current Anycubic machines do not).

Many people are unlikely to have an issue with that because Photon Workshop provides a comparable experience. In any case, we anticipate a Lychee profile to arise soon after the game’s release.

A 2.8-inch touchscreen is built right inside the printer itself. You’ll need a standard USB stick to transfer print files to it.

NO UPGRADE

We can see why the control boards wouldn’t work together. It won’t be possible for Photon Mono owners to upgrade their LCDs to make their equipment compatible with the new Photon Mono 4K. More work would be involved in an upgrade than just changing the LCD. You’ll need to spend a lot of money on a brand-new printer to get the Photon Mono 4K experience.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

The Mono 4K also has the following extra features:

Indicator for fill level: Tiny indications in the resin tank let you know how much resin is still there.

Automatic shutoff safety feature: The printer will instantly pause if the top cover is removed while printing, thanks to an automatic shutoff safety feature. You can turn off this function.

Date of Release and Availability

Midway through November 2021, Anycubic Photon Mono 4K was introduced. The Anycubic Photon Mono 4K will ship within two weeks of purchase, according to the company’s product listing, unlike other manufacturers who keep customers waiting for months (depending on where you live).

We are convinced that the printer is currently available and is not currently restricted to early bird batches because it is already available from various retailers and resellers.