Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K

[paratom]

OK, have any members here purchased this printer. Thinking of adding it to my stable of printers and attracted by its large print plate but wondering if the Saturn 4 Ultra will do just as good a result. My work room get quite cold in the winter and having a tank that heats the resin seems the only benefit of the 16K. I have also been hearing some good reports about Siraya Tech resins which are compatible with these printers. I look forward to any replies.

Thomas

 

[simond]

I have the earlier 8K, and purchased the fan heater that goes inside the red cover.

ELEGOO Mini Heater for Resin 3D Printer

The Mini Heater boasts 120W high power and advanced PTC heating, ensuring faster, more stable and efficient temperature control for resin 3D printer.

uk.elegoo.com

I keep my resin on a reptile heater mat, so it’s never cold, and the fan heater gets up to 25C in about five minutes. The whole kit is in our utility room, which is not heated but has the gas boiler and fridge freezer, so isn’t cold either. Probably 15-17C

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Temperature-Adjustment-Terrarium-Removable-Amphibians/dp/B0DHCRN7DN/ref=asc_df_B0DHCRN7DN?mcid=debeab7850da341eace746ed595ce094&hvocijid=14484274768721648913-B0DHCRN7DN-&hvexpln=74&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14484274768721648913&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045106&hvtargid=pla-2281435176658&psc=1&gad_source=1

I'm currently mainly using Elegoo resin, though I have Siraya FNG as a back-up.

 

[Kev T]

My experience of the Saturn 4 Ultra has been rather poor. No obvious reason but failed prints on an intermittent but too frequent basis. I tried slowing the print process right down but still had the issues. My previous printer was a Mars3 Pro on which I eventually replaced the screen and started to use again in preference to the Saturn, with typical good results.
I've now given up on the Saturn and it's currently in a box under my workbench.
Reading posts on various forums it appears I'm not the only one with problems. It appears that the Saturn 3 was a good reliable workhorse, but for me, not the Saturn 4.

I've now got a Uniformation GK3T which has been working well after I dialled it in.

I use ST resins with good results but they are expensive and are prone to separating out after a few hours, so need to be stirred between prints.

 

[Ian_C]

Just sold my Saturn 4 Ultra 16k. It was capable of turning out some very good prints. But only after a a lengthy process of calibrating exposure and settings to match printer with resin. Plenty of people report problems with build plate adhesion but I never experienced it. Not all Elegoo print plates are flat though. Mine wasn't initially. I flattened it with wet & dry on a granite surface plate. Ended up very flat and nicely textured. Might be your problem?

I found it quite capable of printing in the outside workshop at temperatures less than 10C. It helps considerably if you store the resin inside at room temperature and pre-warm the build plate with a hot air gun just before printing. Resin gets up to temperature quickly and vat keeps it at temperature without problems.

For what it's worth I sold the Ultra 16k and bought a Heygears Reflex Turbo. Pricey and a closed system, but everything works perfectly first time. No messing around with exposure and settings at all. 3D printing isn't my hobby, just a means to make parts. And the strange part is that the Heygears is only about 8K resolution, but it prints every bit as well as the best results from the Elegoo 16K.

Pic of some 4mm axle box and spring prints for reference. This on the 8K Heygears, but the Elegoo Saturn 16K could match it if you get the settings spot on.