Whether you're looking to learn more about SLA stereolithography 3D printers or considering purchasing the Sonic Mega 8K S but want more comprehensive information and real-world reviews, then please read on!
This article features a popular YouTuber's ultimate review of the Sonic Mega 8K S, summarizing what they like about this printer, its pros, cons, and everything in between! But most importantly, should you buy this printer?
Issues with Grey Scalp Miniatures and Sonic Mega 8K S
Shaun of Grey Scalp Miniatures was thrilled when he received his Sonic Mega 8K S! Despite being a large machine, the Sonic Mega 8K S fit easily into his tent, and the liftgate didn't take up as much space as he had initially expected.
However, his excitement was abruptly dampened when he encountered a problem he'd never faced before: the resin ran out, causing the print to fail. He'd never imagined it would be a problem – and thus he began to doubt the true value of the Pump & Fill (automatic filling machine) . Now that he'd experienced printing with such a large-scale resin 3D printer, he was convinced the Pump & Fill add-on was undoubtedly a valuable asset.
Advantages and disadvantages
According to his tests, he successfully printed a large insect model using slightly more than two printing plates, whereas printing on the Sonic Mighty 8K printer would require 10 or 11 plates. Taking full advantage of the printer's capabilities, he printed an entire miniature army in less than 3 hours, without even changing any settings! Shaun believes that once he becomes more familiar with all the settings of this large printer, he can easily achieve even faster printing speeds and more detailed prints.
After considerable testing, certain features certainly caught Shaun's attention more than others. One was the metal hooks built into the printer. For a construction board of this size, he found the hooks extremely helpful in saving all excess resin after printing. Another was the construction board itself, which, to him, "felt like magic"—it would adhere tightly to the model during printing, but would immediately detach as soon as he touched it with a scraper.
He noted that one drawback was the printer's lack of wired and Wi-Fi connectivity. Spoiled by the Sonic Mighty 8K , the lack of connectivity and internal storage left him feeling uneasy. While he mentioned it, he acknowledged there was certainly a simple workaround, and he just needed to get used to it. Finally, he wished the printer had a heater.
Is it the right printer for you?
Shuan acknowledges that this isn't a machine for everyone. However, if you're selling printed materials and have a large volume of orders due within tight deadlines, then it's undoubtedly the perfect 3D printer . After all, managing one printer is much easier than managing multiple printers with various different print platform sizes simultaneously.
This printer can print almost anything, from terrain, props, to even miniature armies. It's incredibly useful for his production; printing lots of things quickly is important, and most importantly, it's a game-changer if you own a printing business.
Battle Brother Sam 1000 Kreigsmen Challenge
To constantly challenge himself, Sam is attempting to create 1000 3D printed Craigman models. He'll rely on the capabilities of the new Sonic Mega 8K S printer to see how long it will take him to complete the challenge!
How many can be accommodated on the build board?
Before Sam started using his Sonic Mega 8K S, he tested his other printers to see how many Kreigsmen models he could fit on the build plates of various printers. His Sonic Mini 8K S could hold 31 models and finish printing in 6.5 hours, while the Sonic Mighty 8K could hold 78 models. In his calculations, printing 1,000 Kreigsmen using the Sonic Mini 8K S would mean 12,500 minutes, or 8 days, of non-printing time. Stop printing.
Meanwhile, his Sonic Mega 8K S can easily hold 164 Kreigsmen models in a single printing plate, five times more than the Sonic Mini 8K S, and requires only about 27 hours of continuous printing.
Are you considering buying the Sonic Mega 8K S?
For Sam, if you're someone who likes to constantly challenge yourself with top-notch projects, or if you run an on-demand printing service, then this printer is a must-buy.
Personally, he likes that it doesn't have a removable cover like the smaller models, as this gives him the advantage of convenience in tight spaces. But most importantly, it meets his most important requirements for a great 3D printer: ease of use and print quality .
VogMan tests the speed performance of the Sonic Mega 8K S
Similar to Fauxhammer's initial assessment of the Sonic Mega 8K S, Geoff from VogMan believes this green large-format 3D printer is simply a slimmed-down version of the Sonic Mega 8K. However, its flip-top design is more appealing, and its speed is significantly improved. In terms of resolution, it retains the 43-micron 8K screen, which, in VOG's words, is " better than any competitor. " But most importantly, it's more affordable.
Does VogMan like the Sonic Mega 8K S?
The answer is simple: yes. Geoff likes the new look; he thinks it's beautiful. The printer comes pre-leveled with a print platen, and removing the metal door saves a lot of space and reduces costs. The lid is cleverly designed with sturdy hinges, so not much space is needed above the printer to keep it open, and it can be held at almost any angle.
Can the Sonic Mega 8K S print as fast as claimed in the release video?
Like most people, Geoff is skeptical of the claim. With more and more companies touting these outrageous speed claims, and him failing to replicate any of them, he understandably sees the Sonic Mega 8K S speed claim as just another marketing stunt.
Geoff also mentioned that most of these companies are developing a new fast-printing resin for these high-speed prints, but he appreciates that Phrozen is using something that has been on the market for a long time— Phrozen TR300 resin , which is usually advertised as a heat-resistant resin rather than because of its printing speed.
After obtaining all the parameter settings, he began printing and was surprised to find that the print tray moved quite quickly in real life. He successfully completed 1,160 layers of printing in 75 minutes, or 928 layers per hour , exceeding the 900 layers per hour claimed in the Sonic Mega 8K S launch video.
But is the print quality as good as the speed? Well, Geoff thinks so. While most speed claims usually come at the cost of quality, he believes that the results from a fast print setting are actually better than what Lake Water 8K resin can achieve at normal speeds.
VogMan's thoughts on the Sonic Mega 8K S
First, Geoff admitted he really liked the TR300 resin and congratulated Phrozen for being the first company to be completely honest about its printing speed. He was surprised to be able to match it successfully, even achieving speeds higher than advertised!
When he had to choose between the Sonic Mega 8K and the Sonic Mega 8K S , he would choose the latter. It's cheaper, requires less space, is easier to move due to its lighter weight, and is more appealing.
In VogMan's words, "I think Phrozen is still the king of Mega printers, and for me, it's the best of the bunch right now."
Miniature model enthusiasts: So many miniature models, yet so little time.
Jon from Miniature Hobbyist also has some comments on the Sonic Mega 8K S. In his review of the Sonic Mega 8K S, he emphasizes the sheer size of the printer, noting that even as a miniature artist, such a large LCD printer can easily print out an entire miniature army in a few hours.
The printer was pre-calibrated directly from the box and offered several tests, such as LCD and exposure tests using XP Finder. However, Jon took a big step forward and started printing directly from a construction board filled with 70 Spartan models.
He also really liked the drip rack built into the Sonic Mega 8K S. This saved him a lot of resin, allowing him to print more miniature models, and most importantly, it avoided the hassle of resin dripping everywhere when transferring build boards.
As Jon increased his setup and print runs with the Sonic Mega 8K S, he came to realize that the machine had only one drawback: with almost no time to spare, there was a lot of gray stuff that needed to be colored (haha!).
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