Resin 3D print post processing can be tricky to get right for both amateurs and professionals. To make your work easier, you can use a curing machine. In this Anycubic Wash and Cure Plus review, find out what to expect from the post-processing device.
Finally, the first really big washing and curing machine for resin 3D prints is available. We are talking about the Anycubic Wash & Cure Plus.
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Anycubic Wash and Cure Plus Review
Anycubic has never sent anything to our Test Lab. However, we wanted to test something for our prints with the ELEGOO Saturn. So, we got the Anycubic Wash & Cure Plus.
As the name suggests, and also in principle, this is just a larger version of the Anycubic Wash & Cure 2.0. The unit has enough space for resin prints that use at least half the space of large resin 3D printers such as Anycubic Mono X, ELEGOO Saturn, Qidi i-Box Mono, etc.
In comparison, the The Creality UW-01 is just a medium-sized in-between…
Compared to V2.0, some details have been improved in the Anycubic Wash & Cure Plus. Moreover, the cure station is much easier and more sensible to use than the Creality UW-01.
Here are the highlights of the cure station:
- Clear, no-frills and user-friendly design. This unit has one button, two LEDs, four-digit time display, and one large rotary knob with
button.
2. The station has slightly fewer accessories than what the Wash & Cure 2.0 comes with. There is no replacement ball bearing for the very massive stirrer here.
The accessories available include a good manual, reflector foil and knobbed turntable, and a plug-in power supply.
3. In the tank, we have the washing basket for cleaning, extra shelf for tall objects, and a lid (not in the picture).
4. The tank is huge and can accommodate more than 8.5 liters of washer fluid! On the minimum, you need the washer fluid to be 2 liters.
The construction platform fits in upside down from 4.5 liters.
Unfortunately, the lid is not as high-quality as the V2.0. Still, it is a little better than that of the UW-01.
5. For objects up to 14 cm high, you need at least 4.5 liters of the washer. For prints up to 23 cm high, you need approximately 9.0 liters of the washer. Unfortunately, the large build/flex plate does not fit on the turntable. Therefore, the objects have to be detached from it before post-curing.
6. The Anycubic Wash & Cure Plus has 20 UV LEDs with a wavelength of 405 nm. The LEDs illuminate the printed objects to be post-cured. The top four can be folded forward by 45 degrees if the objects are not too high. The reflector film under the turntable also indirectly illuminates from below.
Let’s now look at the refined details and the improvements of this unit, compared to the smaller predecessor, the Anycubic Wash & Cure 2.0.
Anycubic Wash & Cure Plus vs. Anycubic Wash & Cure 2.0.
To begin, the Plus has guide lugs on the four corners of the aluminum base plate. The lugs are shaped differently at the front and back. This makes it easy to use the hood easily, precisely and the right way around.
A nose has been attached above the cover sensor on the back of the UV LED tower so that the sensor cannot be accidentally damaged.
The LEDs that indicate which mode (washing or post-curing) is active are now also clearly visible from above.
Conveniently, the washing function is activated after switching on. Therefore, you can hardly accidentally harden the contents of the washing tank. The button on the left is used to switch to hardening and back again.
The desired duration (up to 60 minutes) is then set using the large rotary knob on the right. However, this is only possible in 2-minute steps in wash mode since the stirrer needs 20 seconds to accelerate and decelerate each time. For this reason, the direction of rotation is only reversed every 2 minutes. When you click the button, it starts again and the process is paused.
The time for post-curing can be set to the minute. In both modes, the maximum post-curing time you can set is 60 minutes, which is sufficient. After completion of the post-curing process, the unit produces a loud beep a few times.
When washing, you don’t need to have the UV-blocking yellow hood on. However, curing won’t start without it and will be interrupted if you remove it.
Unfortunately, the power supply is a bulky plug-in with an unusual voltage of 33 V that delivers 48 W. A mechanical on/off switch is located on the rear of the machine.
Of course, you can also post-treat prints from smaller resin printers with this station. However, there are no special holders or trays for this. Instead, we have a flexplate of approximately 13×8 cm^2 that fits easily in the basket and on the turntable. Therefore, if you only have a small printer, this monster is not worth it. Instead, I would recommend the V2.0.
Conclusion
This is a very well thought-out machine that has everything you would need in a camera station. The unit comes at a reasonable price.
The only thing I don’t like is the simultaneous washing and hardening, which is currently necessary in the hobby resin printer sector for the appropriate post-treatment.
It seems Anycubic took the experiences with the previous models and competition devices to come up with the Plus. The company has optimized its performance, usability, safety and comfort.
I absolutely recommend the Anycubic Wash & Cure Plus station if you own a large resin printer and want an easy post-curing process.
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