Read our Voxeland Proxima 6.0 review to see the features, specs, quality of print and performance of this 3D printer.
The Voxelab Proxima 6.0 is a resin 3D printer that prints using a 2K matrix. In this guide, we’ll look at its features and capabilities.
Voxelab is a subsidiary of Flashforge , a renowned manufacturer of high quality 3D printers. The company incorporates many new developments and their wealth of experience in developing its 3D printers.
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The Voxelab Proxima 6.0 2K is one of the best best resin 3D printers under $500. This 3D printer is ideal for beginners but can also be used by advanced users. Due to its low price and high printing accuracy (50 µm in XY and 25 µm in Z), it can compete on an equal footing with many more expensive models.
Let’s find out more about the 3D printer in this review.
Voxelab Proxima 6.0 Review
Specifications
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Shipping weight: 8.2 kg
- Power supply voltage: 12V 5A
- Dimensions: 230 x 200 x 410mm
- Weight: 6.8kg
- Software: ChituBox / Voxel
- Print File format: stl
3D PRINTER SPECIFICATIONS
- Virtual pixel size: 50 microns
- UV wavelength: 405 nm
- Additional features: Auxiliary bed leveling system; Full grayscale smoothing function
- Materials used: Photosensitive resin with a wavelength of 405nm
- Light source: LED light source
- Power consumption: 60 watts
- Working chamber: 130 x 82 x 155 mm
- Technology: LCD
- Layer thickness: from 25 microns
- Display LCD screen: 6-inch 2K monochrome LCD screen
- Hard screen: 3.5 ” hard screen
- Interfaces: USB
- Print speed: 17-22 mm/h
ACCESSORY SPECIFICATIONS
- Permission Eclipser: 2560 x 1620 px
What’s in the Box?
The Voxelab Proxima 6.0 is supplied with a standard set of necessary accessories. The delivery set includes:
- Photopolymer bath printer
- Top cover (one-piece removable cover for UV protection)
- Power supply unit and two cables to it (For US and EU plugs)
- Quick start instructions
- Warranty card
- USB stick with slicer and test objects
- Print platform
- Disposable gloves, nitrile
- Hex key set
- Spare screws
- Metal spatula to separate the object from the platform
- Plastic scraper for removing polymer residues
- Disposable filter for filtering photopolymer
Recommended Purchases for Voxelab Proxima 6.0
If this is your first photopolymer 3D printer, we recommend also purchasing the following:
- Printing material: photopolymer resin (405 nm)
- Solvent: isopropyl alcohol (suitable for washing printed parts, cleaning printer parts, and cleaning up accidentally spilled resin)
- More gloves (they are disposable and will be needed all the time)
- Lots of paper towels (Regular paper towel rolls will do)
There are also some more items that, although not necessary, will be useful. These are:
- FFP2 mask (for respiratory protection from resin vapors)
- Reusable polymer filter (Always flush it with isopropanol immediately after use)
- PTFE Lubricant for FEP Film (so that the print does not adhere to the film, but to the print bed)
Print Quality
If the Proxima 6.0 is your first resin 3D printer, you will be delighted with the print quality, especially when compared to the results of printing on FDM/FFF printers .
If you are already familiar with resin 3D printers, the print quality of Proxima 6.0 will seem familiar. The quality is comparable to that of other resin 3D printers.
The standard pixel size is 0.05 mm, i.e., 50 microns (on the XY plane). The minimum layer thickness is 0.025 mm or 25 microns (resolution along the Z axis).
The Voxelab 6.0 produces high quality stable prints that can be easily replicated during batch production.
Print Samples
Here are examples of models printed using the Voxelab 6.0 3D printer:
The bundled USB stick contains a test print model from Voxelab. This is a deer figurine that is printed without support.
After using the Proxima 6.0 for some time, you will not face any problems. The challenges are only with the very first test print. For example: the print object did not stick to the platform, but to the film at the bottom of the tray. This is a common problem with photopolymer printers. The good news is that it can be easily solved.
To solve the problem, roughen the surface of the printbed by lightly sanding it with fine sandpaper. This will help to improve adhesion of the model.
You can also use PTFE grease on FEP foil to improve adhesion. Apply a drop of grease to a dry and clean foil and distribute it evenly. One can of this grease will last you for years.
The next project was the Mandalorian.
The layers can be seen immediately after printing on those areas of the object planes that are parallel to the printing plane. However, they almost completely disappear after the first layer of spray paint is applied.
If you orient objects so that their planes are perpendicular to the print bed, you get a perfectly smooth surface.
The Mandalorian is made up of many distinct parts. It took only three sessions to print all the parts. We placed several parts on the platform in the slicer at a time.
The figure’s cloak is printed vertically. It is thin in many places but it printed well the first time.
Here are a few more models.
The statue of Meridia from the Elder Scrolls.
Mario with a pistol.
The Voxelab Proxima 6.0 2K prints models with excellent detail and high quality surface.
Features Voxelab Proxima 6.0 2K
6-inch Monochrome Screen
Monochrome screens have replaced the older RGB screens in resin 3D printers because they are more powerful and better suited for 3D printing. The Voxel Proxima 6.0 is equipped with a monochrome screen.
The advantages of a monochrome screen include:
- Service life: 4 times longer than color screens (up to 2000 hours)
- Faster curing of the layer: 1-5 seconds per layer, depending on the polymer used
- Low price
Unsurprisingly, monochrome screens have become the standard.
The Proxima 6.0 monochrome screen ensures uniform backlighting of the entire screen.
Old printers had problems with illuminating the screen evenly. This issue has been resolved in the Voxelab Proxima 6.0 thanks to the monochrome screen. The result is high print quality over the entire surface. The quality at the corners of the matrix does not differ from that in its center since the UV LEDs are located evenly over the entire area.
2K Resolution and 0.025mm Layer Thickness
The 6-inch Proxima 6.0 has a 2K resolution, which is 2560 x 1620 pixels. At this resolution, you get a pixel size of 50 microns or 0.05 mm. The minimum layer thickness is 0.025 mm.
2K is the standard resolution for most hobby photopolymer printers. Only much more expensive printers have a 4K matrix (like the Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K), and some like the Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K even have8K. Frankly, these high resolutions are unnecessary for household and hobby use. However, they are important for professional uses such as in dentistry or jewelry making.
If you want the highest possible accuracy, read our higher resolution printer reviews:
- Phrozen Sonic XL 4K 3D printer review
- Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K 3D Printer Review
- Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4k 3D printer review
1.6 liter Print Volume
The Proxima 6.0 has a print volume of 130 x 82 x 150 mm, which is approximately 1.6 liters. With this volume, you can print medium sized objects and large objects in chunks. The volume is also standard for printers in this price and target segment.
Works With Different Slicers
is compatible with many slicers, including VoxelPrint (Voxelab’s own slicer based on FlashPrint), ChiTuBox, and Lychee Slicer.
The popular 3D printing slicers have standard profiles for Proxima 6.0. Therefore, the settings before printing are simplified as much as possible. The only thing you will have to do is to choose the exposure time for a particular resin and editing the supports.
We had no problem using Proxima 6.0 with ChiTuBox.
Easy and Fast Calibration
It is very easy to align the print bed on Proxima 6.0. Moreover, the calibration does not need to be done before every print. It will take a very long time before you will need to calibrate the printer again.
Read on to find out how to calibrate the Voxelab Proxim 6.0:
Install the platform in the printer before the first calibration.
The platform is attached to the holder on the Z-axis using a large clamping handle.
Calibrating the printbed in Proxima 6.0 takes place in a few simple steps:
- Loosen the adjusting screws (see photo above). The screws fix the platform tilt hinge.
- Remove the resin container tray. The tray is also attached to two screws.
- Place a sheet of paper on the screen to create a gap.
- Lower the platform in the menu. This can be done with three clicks.
- Press the platform evenly against the screen with a sheet of paper between them. Then, tighten the adjusting screws.
The paper should be pressed against the platform so that it can be pulled out with little force.
Once you have found the ideal height, you can set the Z-axis to zero in the menu (Set Z = 0, then Confirm). With this done, the calibration is complete.
At first glance, it may seem that there are many steps. However, the calibration is very simple and it is almost impossible to do something wrong.
Comfortable Resin Bath
The resin bath is designed to be easy to install, remove and clean.
- One of the corners of the container is elongated to forms a spout for draining the unused photopolymer back into the bottle.
- There is a maximum resin level mark engraved on the inside of the wall. You will never spill the resin if you use it to guide you. This will save you from the long and unpleasant cleaning of the entire printer because of resin spillage.
Many Compatible Resin
Voxelab Proxima 6.0 is equipped with 405 nm UV LEDs. Most printing resins support this wavelength.
You can find out more about resins in this guide: What is resin 3D printing?
Easy FEP Film Replacement
The FEP film on the bottom of the resin bath is a consumable item that lasts 20 to 30 prints. It can even last longer with careful handling and lubrication.
Replacing FEP film is easy. At the bottom of the bath there are 12 clamping screws that hold the film. Loosen the screws, remove the old FEP film, insert a new one and tighten the screws again. All this takes a few minutes.
It is best to always some spare film supply as it can be depleted suddenly.
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Single Linear Rail
The number of linear guides in a resin 3D printer depends on its size. The Proxima 6.0 has one linear guide. This makes sense given the price of the printer.
Due to the small footprint, one linear guide is sufficient for stable printing.
Easy Touchscreen Control
The touchscreen control is very simple and intuitive. The touchscreen is responsive, accurate and reacts to touch the first time. The menu navigation is logical and the interface is informative.
The only drawback in the control system is a shrill and very loud sound signal. Unfortunately, you cannot make it quieter. However, you can turn it off completely.
Pros and cons of Voxelab Proxima 6.0 2K
Pros of Voxelab Proxima 6.0 2K
- Low price
- Good equipment
- Simple and straightforward instructions
- Very good print quality
- Easy to operate
- Robust construction
- Easy and fast calibration
- Support for different slicers
This is the best 3D printer for beginners who have never printed with a resin 3D printer.
Cons of Voxelab Proxima 6.0 2K
- Average operating noise (fan + Z-axis)
- Annoying beep (can be turned off)
- Settings and dwell time cannot be changed while printing.
- The USB stick comes with STL files, not a pre-sliced model. You’ll have to slice the model yourself to test the printer.
- Includes one pair of gloves that may not fit everyone.
- There is also one resin filter.
Who is Voxelab Proxima 6.0 2K For?
The main advantages of the Proxima 6.0 are high accuracy at a reasonable price. Therefore, the 3D printer is intended for hobbyists, especially beginners.
Its accuracy is sufficient for printing miniatures, decor items and household items. For a cheap price, you get a device that can print high quality objects for years to come.
Voxelab Proxima 6.0 2K Alternatives
If you are looking for alternatives to the Voxelab Proxima 6.0, these are the printers you should be eyeing:
Elegoo Mars 2
Elegoo Mars 2 is a lightweight version of the Elegoo Mars 2 Pro . The machine has a print volume of 129 x 80 x 150 mm, a pixel size of 50 microns, a layer thickness of 10 to 200 microns, and 405 nm monochrome LEDs.
Like Proxima 6.0, it is very well suited for beginners.
Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K
The Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K is noticeably more expensive than the Proxima 6.0. However, it offers a 4K screen with a pixel size of just 35 microns. The difference between 50 microns and 35 microns is quite small, but can be noticeable on very detailed objects.
Anycubic Photon Mono
is similar in almost all characteristics to the Voxelab Proxima 6.0. The main differences are the exterior and the slightly taller Z-axis of 165mm.
This machine prints quickly and, like the Proxima 6.0, will be a very good choice on a small budget.
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