Curing resin prints with the printer itself
Hi all,
I’m quite new to resin printing and I was wondering if one was able to post-cure their prints with he printer’s built in “cleaning” function. I mean, it’s a pretty powerful UV light, right there. Does this damage the LCD more than usual? I was thinking of just “roasting” prints to cure them. If anyone tried it before, do share.
If you can truly afford resin printing and all the waste and resources and safety equipment required, you can afford a wash and cure station. Use the right tool for the job.
also you risk some droplets of resin, or even the print itself, sticking to the LCD and damaging it. Than you'll spend money buying another LCD on top of the station.
That was the first thing I thought of. Not worth the risk to such a sensitive piece of equipment.
For anyone who doesn't already know resin can be toxic, be safe!
The main issue I see with that is uneven curing. Since the UV is only on the bottom, it would only cure where the UV can hit it. I suppose it might be possible if you manually turned the print to cure every angle, but I imagine this still wouldn't cure evenly.
Yeah I was about to post the same. I actually modified my old printer (sparkmaker) to be my curing box. To solve the turning issue I put the LED panel upright by strapping it to the Z linear rail, chopped short the Z lead-screw and attached a lazy Suzan to that screw.
Edit: photo of my monstrosity
Notwithstanding part lifetimes, I don't think you'll get even enough -- or even enough in general -- UV exposure to produce satisfactory results. Also, while you're doing this you won't be able to use your printer for anything else.
I think buying or rigging a curing box will be significantly less irritating. And probably cheaper in the long run, too.
If you are looking for a home-brew solution, I'd get a UV bar light and a lazy Susan. Make sure you wear gloves and eye protection when using.
Alternatively there are cure stations on the market. I use the elegoo wash and cure station (Mercury, I think they call it?)
The easiest turn table is a microwave oven's motor for a low speed, mains powered device. You can likely find one on the curb for free depending on where you live.
I haven't tried with resin, but when I'm using photoresist to etch my own circuit boards, I use the sun because It is effortlessly fast. However I also have a fingernail polish curing stand. These are a cheap option for a decent UV curing lamp. If you use the Sun be sure it is a completely clear day at around solar noon if consistency matters. Even light clouds can cause weird refractive inconsistencies in my experience.
The screens generally have a short life in resin printers. I wouldn't use it for this.
Just feel like this needs to be said, if you have any intention of opening up a microwave oven, know that just touching certain parts can kill you even if it's been off for a while
Thanks.
Wouldn't the problem be that you'd still have to remove the print, wash it, empty the vat, clean the vat & build plate and only then could you put the print back in and then fire up the UV. Meanwhile you won't be using the printer for anything else. Maybe it's easier to just buy something that can wash & cure separate to the printer or leave the print out in the sun to cure.
The LCD panels that typical resin printers use do have an expected lifespan. I wouldn't advise eating into that just for post-curing prints.
I'd think the LCD isn't used at all here, as it's left fully transparent
Doesn't the LCD just black out the pixels that shouldn't be exposed to the UV light?
Haven't tried to use the printer for curing. I built my own curing box using a decommissioned microwave, some spare wood and mirrors, and a rather powerful UV source.
I guess you could build yourself a mirror box to hold the object and place it on the printer instead of using a separate UV source.
The printer should be able to handle the generated heat, so I don't think you'll see increased wear.
Tbf it's not worth the risk of damaging your LCD and the pain of having to change it