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Made in us
Inspiring SDF-1 Bridge Officer





Mississippi

Well, I've been both happy and frustrated with my Anycubic Photon I bought a little less that 2 years ago; it's not a 4K printer but it has (mostly) suited my needs as a start into the hobby. I have liked the quality, but a lot of misprints as I am learning. It's easily paid itself off, but now the LCD screen is going bad ("holes" in the light pattern, not lighting up).

I'm debating whether it is worth it to replace the LCD screen or if I should be looking for a new resin printer altogether and what would be good to move to. How easy is a LCD screen replacement? As for what I'm printing in possibly choosing a new printer instead, I'm mostly printing 1/56 and 1/100 WW2/WW3 vehicles, some 28mm figures and batches of various starfighters and Star Trek ships.

Also, about how often do ya'll go through a FEP sheet? I think I got a hold of really cheap set and have gone through them rather quickly (4 sheets in 6 months, though printing nearly non-stop 15hr prints; the last one got a hole in it which I think led to the LCD problem).

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/02/28 22:41:42


It never ends well 
   
Made in gb
Decrepit Dakkanaut




UK

A few thoughts

1) I've not yet done an LCD change, but it is expected to happen for all printers. In general I think if you can work your way around a screwdriver and fit things like computer parts, then you should be fine. Opening up a printer I have done and its just a few screws. The real trick is just being careful with the ribbon cables when pushing and connecting things - firm but not forceful and such.

2) As for replacing the LCD VS a new printer - that's kind of on you to choose somewhat. More modern higher resolution printers (remember its not just screen resolution but screen size too).
Otherwise it depends, I know for some older printers they've offered upgraded screens - eg some RGB can be upgraded to a monoscreen (faster printing time and much longer lifespan).

Personally I've my eye on the Sonic Mini 8K printer - which seems ot be doing really well right now in general with few errors (a few people have found issue with the thicker tape around the screen and some have had poor FEP tension with the provided VAT; both of those being easily fixed - eg Kapton Tape to replace the screen tape and a new FEP)

3) FEPs are a case of "when its dead its dead". There's no real hard and fast rule on how long they will last. OF course how you treat it also has an impact, so if you are a very rough and and such (eg lots of fails etc...) then it might give out faster. In general if its giving out replace it.


A Blog in Miniature

3D Printing, hobbying and model fun! 
   
Made in de
Regular Dakkanaut




Berlin

If you're ok with the quality go for a 4k and about 8.9" mono screen.
That's probably the sweet spot right now. You will get faster print times and larger build space.

Replacing the LCD is real cheap and (sorry meant to write not complicated) not complicated. Some manufacturers glue their screens to the case which is unfortunate. But a solvent will - dare I say it - solve this problem.

As it was said before there is no hard rule for FEP. The correct working procedure will make the FEP last longer - you might already doing it. Sometimes the FEP is still undamaged, but the tension got less. Increasing the lift height will help in this case. But this will slow down the print process, so you might want to do so only as a stop gap.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/03/01 21:58:08


 
   
Made in gb
Is 'Eavy Metal Calling?





UK

I went from a dying Photon to a Voxelab Proxima about 6 months ago, and that was definitely worth the upgrade rather than hassling with fixing the Photon screen.

It only cost me slightly more than the Photon, but with a mono screen is much faster, has a slightly larger build volume and has been vastly more consistent in terms of avoiding fails. I was looking at replacing the Photon with a Mars 2, but the Proxima has basically the same specs (better in some cases, coming with a metal vat rather than plastic) and is usually significantly cheaper, unless you catch the Mars in a steep sale. Not a 4k screen, but still puts out prints as crisp or crisper than the Photon ever did.

 
   
Made in us
Courageous Questing Knight





Texas

I had an Elegoo Mars for years and replaced the LCD screen probably three-four times and it only took about 5 minutes and the screens were less than $29. However, I do not know about the Anycubic Photon machines, but search Youtube and you will see someone doing it. Don't be scared, it should be fairly easy, if it is anything similar to the Mars.

I did sell my Mars and went to the Saturn about 6 months ago for the mono screen and larger build plate and I am ecstatic with the Saturn!!

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