Hello, this review brings to your attention a novelty from the manufacturer Wanhao – a resin printer Wanhao Duplicator 8.
The printer prints using DLP technology (LCD).
A few words about printing technology:
DLP – translated as digital LED projection. The method is based on the use of resin resins that harden when exposed to ultraviolet light. LCD is a long-established method of creating an image on an LCD display, allowing controlled UV radiation to pass through the LCD screen. This revolutionary system is a new printing method that uses ultraviolet light as an energy source to initiate the free radical polymerization required to transform a liquid resin into a solidified object.
The device is delivered carefully packed in a cardboard box for easy transportation.
Sight glass, touch screen and internal parts are packed in protective film:
Let’s start examining the device from its delivery set:
- USB flash drive 8 GB
- Key for connecting via WI-FI to a PC
- 2 hex wrenches for removing the front and back cover
- Funnel
- 2 screws for fixing the platform
- 220V power cord
- 2 sets of medical gloves
- Spatula for removing models
- A jar for draining the material with a tight lid for storing it
The manufacturer also recommends purchasing the following additionally for comfortable printing and post-processing:
- Additional sets of gloves
- Paper napkins or towels
- Plastic container for washing products
- Isopropyl or ethyl alcohol, which, based on the experience of DLP printing, seems to be very reasonable, especially since these components are available and inexpensive, but they will greatly facilitate the work with the product and post-processing of prints, which in turn directly affects the quality of the finished product.
Design features:
The printer is housed in an all-metal black casing with UV-protected plastic viewing windows to monitor the growth of the model. It is compact, it is quite possible to place it on a desk, it is also equipped with a large and comfortable touch screen.
The touch screen for control and monitoring of printing displays the entire process of printing an object: the image of the model, the number of layers, the time until the end of the process, and you can also use it to control all the settings and parameters of the printer and the material used. Undoubtedly, this is a huge plus of this model, both in terms of ergonomics and informational content.
In the main menu, there is a camera icon on the screen, which in fact is not in the printer. Apparently, Wanhao initially had such an idea, which in the future will someday be realized.
Unlike previous Wanhao models, the printer is equipped with a convenient door:
All fasteners, screws, etc. are made at a decent level, in general, the appearance made a good impression. Data files are downloaded via a USB drive (2 connectors on the front control panel), as well as by connecting via WI-FI to a PC or other device, which is a significant innovation for Wanhao. Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting the lack of an “on. – off “. on the front of the machine. Switching on and off is done “by power supply”, which in turn dictates the need for free access to the rear connectors.
Specifications:
| Polymer exposure system | UV lamps 405 nm |
| Print area | 192 * 120 * 180mm |
| Software | Internal Slicer Wanhao |
| Print speed | Up to 30 mm \ hour |
| Accuracy | X – 0.075 mm Y – 0.075 mm Z – 0.035 – 0.1 mm |
| Net weight | 22 kg |
| Build platform material | Aluminum |
| Food | 110-250 V, 50-60 Hz |
Internal structure and electronics:
Of the internal features, it is worth noting the presence of fixing the guide along the Z axis:
Tray for pouring resin, equipped with replaceable films:
In fact, the bath differs from the one installed in the D7 series (although judging by the photographs of the D8 on the official Wanhao website, it was originally planned to be the same): for the D8 it is made of plastic, not metal, and is fastened with 4 screws instead of 2. The bathtub is very solid and, in our opinion, more comfortable than the metal one.
The presence of a carbon filter :
Consider now the electronic control board . The set comes with 2 hex keys, with which you can easily access the “insides” of the printer:
All electronics are mounted by means of loops and convenient connectors with latches, which makes it possible to do without soldering and special equipment for block replacement of control boards and other repair of the device “brains”, which simplifies and speeds up maintenance.
Software:
Next, I would like to consider the features of the software for D8, which the manufacturer offers to download from the official website ( https://www.chitubox.com/download.html?fbclid=IwAR3Jn2D91b42PjfRIIKMezmtvTTCIWu7ne88i_KXEofp7ryCGL6Z0M7FT9Y ).
Requirements for hardware and computer software:
- Dual Core processor or higher.
- Windows or Linux OS
- MAC software compatibility
- 4 Gb RAM memory or higher
The provided Chitubox V 1.2.0 software supports any STL model. It has sufficient functionality and an intuitive interface to create a working file ready for downloading to the printer for printing. There is also an automatic placement of supports according to the specified parameters, the choice of printing parameters, etc.
The device is equipped with a built-in slicer that allows you to download STL files via WI-FI, which increases the autonomy of work, but it may not always be convenient for viewing and preprocessing the model, installing supports, etc. Although this function is likely to find its consumer.
Slicer settings menu:
Loading the model:
Toolbar:
Calibrating the print bed:
Before the first launch, after installing the material tray, the printer naturally needs to be calibrated, which in this model is implemented in a very simple way. The platform is installed by means of two upper screws, then loosen the side four screws and lower to the original print position, after which we tighten the side screws.
Platform appearance:
Platform surface:
Installed material tray:
The calibration process is clearly shown in the pictures in the instructions:
Start printing:
After successfully calibrating the platform, you can start printing directly.
Fill the material:
Starting printing is also not difficult: just write the file prepared by the slicer to a flash drive. Next, using the touch screen of the device, select the required model and press “start”. It is also worth noting that there is no need to send the platform to the “home” manually, the printer will automatically lower it into the material bath and start printing.
Also, as mentioned above, you can directly download the STL model via WI-FI and slice the firmware of the device, but in our opinion this is not very convenient and is not a critical addition to the printing launch process and the device design.
During printing, the printer practically does not create any discomfort, even despite the presence of four coolers that cool the UV lamp and the electronic components of the device. Works quietly enough for use, for example, in residential premises, offices, educational institutions. Also, an undoubted plus is the presence of a carbon filter, which reduces the unpleasant odor and toxicity of the evaporating resin during operation.
Demonstration of prints:
We used several resins during testing. Let’s start with the original one: Wanhao 3d printing resin Gray.
The resin is suitable for prototyping and modeling figurines, souvenirs:
And also for creating dental models:
Next, we have Monocure blue resin, which is suitable for creating jewelry samples, small figurines, etc. It has a pleasant blue transparent shade. Read our MonoCure 3D resin review.
Next, let’s move on to a manufacturer like Esun. In this review, we will consider 2 products: Esun Bio-based resin yellow , which has proven to be an absolutely universal consumable, ideal print quality for both the dental industry, jewelry, and engineering prototypes:
And finally, Esun general-purpose resin white . Well suited for mock-ups or small-scale production of case, simple technical elements. We printed the housing for the sensor:
For jewelry printing, a layer thickness of 35 microns and a layer exposure time of 5 seconds were used, and for all other models, 50 microns and 6 seconds, respectively.
As usual, we sent all the printed models to a Wanhao Boxman-1 UV curing box for additional exposure.
If you are not already familiar with this device, you can read our Wanhao Boxman-1 review.
Conclusions and results:
The printer has shown itself as a good device for dentistry, jewelry, small-scale, souvenir production, creation of casting master models, small-scale products. At its budget price, the device is a powerful competitor to industrial designs, practically not inferior to them in the quality of the resulting prints. Also, an undoubted advantage for the buyer will be compact dimensions and the absence of special conditions for installation and operation. The printer leaves an extremely positive impression, and can be recommended for both business and, for example, educational institutions, scientific institutions or for training operators of additive manufacturing.
