Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K review - The highest quality resin prints
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- čas přidán 30. 07. 2024
- What machine gave me the highest quality 3D print I’ve ever produced? The Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K! It has a monochrome LCD for fast layers, but now 4K resolution for outstanding detail.
This review is overwhelmingly positive because my experience was very good. The only failed prints were caused by Chitubox, where version 1.6.3 has an obvious bug. When using 1.7.0 with the official Phrozen resin settings every print came out perfectly.
This printer was provided free of charge by 3dprintersonline.com.au for the purposes of making this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Purchase the Sonic Mini 4K:
Aus - 3Dprintersonline: 3dprintersonline.com.au/phroz...
Phrozen: phrozen3d.com/products/sonic-...
Phrozen spare parts: phrozen3d.com/collections/3d-...
Wham Bam flexible plate for Sonic Mini 4K: bit.ly/3m1PHKv
Models featured in this video:
Orc chief bust: www.myminifactory.com/object/...
Maya Death Whistle: www.thingiverse.com/thing:266...
Eiffel Tower: www.thingiverse.com/thing:912478
Weretiger: www.myminifactory.com/object/...
Chitubox software: www.chitubox.com/en
Reddit post with slicer settings: / sonic_mini_4k_resin_pr...
PPI calculator: www.calculatorsoup.com/calcul...
Previous review of the Phrozen Sonic Mini (non 4K): • Resin 3D printing in h...
Buy quality and affordable filament from X3D. Buy 3, get 1 free and a free sample pack with every order: www.x3d.com.au
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Excellent review. Your channel is one that I promote because you are thorough, straightforward and high quality. Your best feature IMHO is your emphasis on the real resolution, which most channels fail to emphasize. I hope to push you in the direction of continued marketing of the dpi as a standard required spec, and it would be great to define both x,y and z dpi on these resin printers so that the screen build area and min layer thickness are all accounted for. Keep up the great work! 👍
This review is really great and helpful! I've been looking for a printer to print good quality miniatures and I think I found the one! This video was suuuuuuuuuuuper helpful showing the detail of the miniatures even when scaled down. I'm surprised how detailed the smallest one is! Thank you for your work, really appreciated!
Showing the scale models is a huge selling point on this. Great video, thanks!
Had me laughing out loud when you kept showing smaller versions of the mini and then proceed to compare it with your pinky with no stutter at all!
Very nice review 👌
Damn, now that's pretty incredible!! Prints as nice as some of the $1500-$2500 printers I've seen!! Think I'm going to pick one of these up. Thanks for the video!!
Good overall review. I suggest that when you capture any printed objects, do so on a solid color background so the camera doesn't try to focus on the wood grains on your table. Otherwise, manual focus with lower aperture and brighter light is usually preferred. Cheers!
I'd love to expand my studio's capability and add a resin printer. This shows the tech level is there. It's just hard to decide whether to figuratively dive right into the resin vat, or wait just a little longer until better, less toxic resins are available. I'm looking forward to the resin video. Thanks, Michael!
Very nice review. clear and to the point. no doubts.
I bought the Sonic Mini 4K when they had a promo bringing the price down to $279 a few weeks ago on Amazon. I'd been wanting to get into resin printing after 5+ years with FDM. It worked perfectly out of the box and the test print was magical. The liquid process is a bit messy but I'm getting used to it. I definitely wouldn't try to do resin printing in my house, so it is relegated full time to the shop. It is odorless but my shop is pretty well ventilated so maybe I just don't notice it.
I'm thrilled and looking for new adventures in resin 3D printing. Thanks for your reviews.
After 5-6 years of FDM printing I got my hands on one of these 2 weeks ago for parts I need watertight. It's worked perfectly out of the box and the results have been mindboggling! Only failed print was from not tightening one of the vat screws after cleaning.
I am considering getting this Resin Printer. I paint miniatures for D&D and would like to get into some custom work. Thanks for your review.
I’ve only had my sonic mini 4K a couple of days, and I am completely blown away. I did find that I had to sand the build plate as bigger prints were dropping off the plate. I also had to very carefully trim the tape on the edges of the screen as it caused a bed levelling issue in one corner. But compared to my previous photon it’s an absolute dream!
Thanks for detailed review.
I just bought a my first fdm printer, but I already want a sla printer. Great review.
Great timing, I got mine last month, and haven't had a chance to set it up yet.
cool story bro
Hello again CZcams algorithm, I like this guy.
I give the video a like, just for your Tshirt ! :)
I pre-ordered the MIGHTY 4K bundle, by the way. Can't wait !
After 9 months u recommended mighty 4k or i have to choise anycube/saturn? Thanks for help :)
@@D2PL actually, I didn't have the chance to use it a lot yet, but it has been a good machine so far to me ! Problems most often come from the slicer software (human errors or even software itself) very uncommon from the printer.
10 years ago in cinemas: "You wouldn't download a car"
now: "Give it another 10 years"
Buy the rolling chassis complete w/power and interior and, print whatever body style you want to drive that day!!!
Back when I was starting out, a fellow Solidoodle 2 user was printing this, one 150mm cubed chunk at a time: www.wired.com/2013/07/3d-printed-aston-martin/
And you still won't 10 years from now.
@@drxym Are you sure? You can already print motor blocks.
@@TimeFadesMemoryLasts 1000% sure. The automotive industry use 3D printing for prototyping, scale models, the fabrication of complex parts and even manufacturing tools and spare parts. Obviously this use will increase over time but they're not going to 3D print anything which is cheaper and faster to stamp, cut / bend, weld, injection mold, CNC or whatever. So it will be a hybrid manufacturing process. And that doesn't include the tens of thousands of other components that go into an assembled vehicle - electronics, wire, springs, wrapped copper, epoxies, batteries, rubber hoses, clamps, clips, fabric, paint etc.
For the home user I don't see things scaling up so much as becoming more refined over time. Perhaps in 10 years, FDM will be obsolete and we'll all have SLA printers that use odor-free, water washable resins that can be colored and available in a variety of materials. I don't think it will mean you'll be downloading a car unless you mean a 1:10 scale model of one.
Nice thorough review.
Keeping in mind the lower resolution and the few other Cons you listed in the video, would you recommend the monochrome version of this printer still? I am just getting into this and don't really have the extra cash right now.
if you do, can you give me advice on what I should do from the start to make my jump in smoother?
Thanks
David
Great review
I’ve got the Sonic Mini 4K and I’m amazed by the prints’ details. The only down side I found till now is the z-axis height. It’s too tight to manipulate the build plate and drip the resin residuals from the print back into the vat. I end up getting resin in some part of the printer most of the time. Besides that, I’m loving the printer.
I did have that trouble with the Eiffel tower model. Doable but tight as you say.
Love the smell of resin on my palm in the morning.
I really have my eyes on the new Creality 002H ..... But great video thank you sir !
You've convinced me! Going to purchase!
I am SO CLOSE to being convinced! =)
...
The space, the hassle, the odor, the enviromental cost, the health hazard are the only thing holding me back.
Any time soon, now! =-P
Done. You sold me on it. Thanks!
Have you considered lifting the chair a bit? XD love you videos, keep up the excellent work!
I would love to see you print some functional parts out of tough resin on that
Definitely coming in the future. Tough, high temp, flex and wax like casting.
Wanted to try 3D printing, but after watching this I'm considering getting it. Just need to do some research on it.
I’m on the fence. I liked your review tho thank you 🙏🏽! Trying to decide between this one or the new 8K by Phrozen or the Halot from Creality. Any suggestions?
Michael, another great review. Did you angle that last print at 45 degrees? I didn't see any support scars on some of the overhangs. I'm more familiar with a Form2 where you need supports on pretty much every little overhang.
The wham bam plate was on at that stage, so I was able to print it flat on it's base like you would on fdm and still remove it easily.
Interesting as always 👍🙂
I would like to see the Rasin printer in a combo with a washing/curring arrangement, so there are a better workflow.
Great video as always 👍🙂
I have such a video coming up. Still refining everything but I'm close to a setup I'm happy with.
I know it varies depending on the resin used, but how resilient are resin prints? Are they extremely brittle, or can they be used in functional prints? Is it recommended to use the tougher resin for these types of tasks, or does the normal stuff get you by just fine for most use cases?
Purchased, thank you! Have you tried any water-based resins?
Nice T-shirt 👍
Can definitely see layer lines on your miniatures in places
OF NOTE: phrozen is doing a resin sale in the first week of december and it includes the 4k resin for this printer, and if you buy 15 of their resins at once during that period they will give you the regular sonic mini for free with the order. Anyone who knows they will be using the resin eventually could make very good use of this deal.
That's amazing. What's your source on this?
@@stupid13375p34k3r their website + another 3d printing youtuber who was in contact with them
Hi, I would like to make my own keycaps for my mechanical keyboard and encapsulate some extremely small figures with epoxy resin. Do you think this printer would be the right one for that level of detail? Thank you very much for your video, very good review.
Really appreciate the work that you put into the videos. I value your opinion. I have been looking at all the reviews and my conclusion comes down to cost to benefit ratio. Mars 2 pro versus sonic mini 4 reviews have been the mini beats the pro but not by heaps and bounds in regards to quality. Here in Canada, I can get the Mars 2 Pro for $333 plus tax of 15% Canadian. The sonic mini 4 price is between 530 to 550 plus tax of 15%. That is approximately a 59-61 percent increase in cost, but does the mini provide a 60 percent increase in quality? While attempting to quantify such a subjective concept is difficult, from the side by side comparisons that I have seen done online, the Mini is not 60 percent better in quality. My subjective guess would be 15-20 percent better in quality. I am sure there are other factors to consider such as print speed which the mini wins at. Printer volume size, the Mars would appear to win on that one. Due to the price difference here in Canada, I would have to vote for Mars 2 Pro. Just my 2 cents.
Keep up the great work.
Id be interested to see you try and print some mechanical parts with specialist super strong/tough resin.
edit: oops can see someone else requested this too
Amazing video thank you! I’am about to buy it but would you consider the Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K for a bigger printing area? Thank you!
I bought this printer and so far I am still figuring out how to make it work propperly, the lcd screen sticking out from the base and forcing the FEP sheet inside the vat causes disturbing suction noises and I got weirdly bended supports.
It would’ve been awesome if you could’ve shown a direct comparison between the 4k and the original Mini as well. It was good to see the parts comparison, but why did you stop there, with both printers right in front of you???
That’s what I need to see to choose - the bottom line.
Could we see some of the mechanical properties of some of the resins? The results might be interesting for someone who had to make small gears
I see during the build plate leveling the paper used was folded and had a gap under it when you tightened the screws. Is that an issue? or how precise does the leveling of the build plate have to be?
Another great review. One thing that caught my eye was your mention of 'Burn In Layers' I'm guessing this is something that ensures build plate adhesion? A friend has has prints come of the bed and also layer splitting early in the print. Can you explain how to set up burn in layers?
The first few layers (six in this case), are cured for 25 seconds instead of the 2-2.5 seconds for the normal layers. This makes them bond really well to the build platform, kind of like a raft in FDM. When I was having problems, the resin profile was set to 4 layers at 20 seconds. After switching to the official Phrozen settings no more issues.
@@TeachingTech Great info, thanks Michael, I'll pass that on.
Nice printer, great review. Have you reviewed any large format resin printers. Is there one out there that’s affordable and can possibly print something as large as a helmet?
I have a review of the Phrozen Transform: czcams.com/video/c-lhDsE5z6w/video.html
Now Peopoly has even bigger printers than that. Check out Uncle Jessy here on CZcams.
I have the 4k mini. preordered it and I LOVE it. The hardest part is getting supports correct and orientation of the model to get it to print correctly. This is universal for all of these types of printers. other than that, it's a great machine. don't forget to buy 100's of nitrile gloves and gallons of isopropyl alcohol. LOL
Thanks!
I love my sonic mini 4k. All the 4k resin is sold out here, how does it compare to another high detail resin like EPAX Hard?
Will you review the Sonic Mighty 4K next?
I have been interested in buying a resin printer. I currently have a large delta and an ender 3 FDM printers. Just how messy is resin printing compared to FDM? Also do you have to buy extra stuff to cure the prints or can you do it without?
Just got this printer. First printer I’ve ever gotten. Gonna be a challenge for me to say the least
Do you recommend this one for a first 3d resin printer?
Nice.. how is the accuracy of the dimendional tolerance?
I was thinking of buying the Anycubic Photon Mono X 4K, but after seeing this i will probaly buy the Phrozen.
Will you make a comparison video between the two printer?
I think the mono x has the same resolution but over a much much larger screen. That means it’s less dense and detailed but it can make large prints.
Can you include pictures of those prints? It would be awesome to be able to look at them close up.
Interested in Phrozen printers but have a few questions?
Already own a Phrozen printer but need help troubleshooting?
Consider joining the Phrozen User Group discord!
discord.gg/NM6AtSjjUJ
Michael, do you have experience putting ptfe lubricant or something similar on the FEP film to prevent prints from sticking? Would love to see a case study on that!
I purchased some PTFE spray ready to experiment but haven't done it yet. I am looking forward to trying it.
You can use normal talc, then wipe the fep well with a cloth. It works
@@TeachingTech Put a little bit of that PTFE lubricant on your lead screw as well.
@@TeachingTech awesome! I'm curious to see what impact release agents may have on resin prints. Uncle Jesse seems to have success with it
It will be awesome when the materials evolve as they have for FDM
we already have nylon-like, transparent, flexible, and more for resin printers, aside from embedding powders/fibers to make the stone-like and wood-like materials I don't think they have much more evolving to do :)
If something has evolved and will continue evolving is material science ;)
Thermoplastics have the advantage of decades of research for inyection molding and stuff... But I bet photopolymers will close the gap very rapidly, actually they pretty much are closing it, as you said =)
@@santiagoblandon3022 aye, and I think it's safe to say we're past the 'macroevolution' stage and in the 'microevolution' stage for resins :) A fascinating time to be alive!
I will be testing out a lot of these new resins in the future. Investment cast silver jewellery using the wax like resin, tough parts using the Nylon like resin, high temp moulds, etc.
I'm not sure if it was mentioned in the video, but what layer height were the prints done at?
Hi, can you help me with my printer? Its an ender 3 but I think its a problem with cura as its the same issue with different models. Near the top, the layer doesn't go to the correct size so it makes sort of a taper for 3 layers and then goes back to normal
But why the wardrobe clip is installed this way instead of having the round part on the bottom? you could've also made it thicker on the holding part to avoid having to print it again due to breaking...
Looking at the phrozen sonic mighty instead of the elegoo saturn. Is 52un still good in terms or resolution . Can the Mini allow me to break down a statue to create a 1/4 version of it. Mighty sells for 500 us.
thanks
Hi sir, i am planning to buy one but confused btw creality ld 002h and mini 4k . Can you do the comparison ?
Hi, I love the review and I tried the eiffel tower model, you printed aswell, unfortunately every time one of the feet(always the same one) fails and I have to stop the print. I tried to print it not tilted may this be the problem or could it be a problem in my slicer wich fails to render this particular foot right? Any tips or ideas how to fix this? :)
You should probably re-level your bed. It's quite sensitive. You can tall if there are any issues by doing a test print in each corner. If one doesn't stick: relevel
My brother has a Creality LD 002R. Hates it. Can't get service from Creality at all. He's looking to upgrade. Would you suggest this, the Anycubic Photon, or an Elegoo? Price isn't really an option for him. He mostly prints 25mm minis
What was the print time differences between the weretigers? I’m looking to print minis for D&D and curious how long it would take to print something ~1 inch (25-28mm) tall.
I'm currently deciding between getting this or the mighty 4k as my first foray into resin printing
I just did for my little bro... he’s going to be surprised as he wanted only $50 for a $200 cheapo version. I hope it’s everything this vid says it is for him
Have you ever looked at the other sonic 4K tutorial videos available?
Smeg! Nothing helping anyone.
All unboxing videos.
Did you ever do a follow up video, showing off this accuracy potential?
I’m sure there is a 3d model design that’s capable exaggerating this function.
Love your work
🤓🤜🏼🤛🏼🇦🇺😎🍀🍀🍀🤓
Does this cure the models aswell? Or does that need to be done separately, if at all?
Hi , I would like to know can I be able to print models of size like 11 inches or some thing like that with this printer some how, like action figures or something's like that may be by dividing the entire models in different parts and merging them into one after the print gets completed??
Expax, mono x or mighty .... just wait for next gen and get sonic mini 4K?
I'm have the phrozen sonic mighty 4k in hopes to have it compared to the elegoo saturn
what wash and cure equipment did you use for this please?
I'm using stuff I already have, which is an eBay ultrasonic cleaner with Monocure Resinaway as the cleaner, then under hot water from the tap, following by curing in the Anycubic machine I reviewed previously: czcams.com/video/IPPAjL7Wqks/video.html
I have a few more little details left to refine my setup then I'll be making a video.
@@TeachingTech Thanks bud! So I can cure in any uv box and wash with any resin washer?
線が細すぎたり面が薄すぎたら造形崩れやすい感じなんですね、大変参考になります。
Do you have a link to the websites with the printer profiles and resin profiles? That would be greatly appreciated!
I'm sure you've found it by now, but for others looking for the same thing: TT included the link to the reddit post about the Phrozen provided settings, skeletores
linked to the community version in the comments as well: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eQ0ifTlMXSxCr-EaFGtyJiFeyUOb9WYDEz1wFuE7oJQ/edit?usp=sharing
@@TylerSilcox Thank you! 👍
You should have printed same model with old version and 4K printer and show details. For details you really need closer images
I could do with a Macro lens for sure.
I've been considering getting this, but I had a few concerns.
What are you guys' take on the venting requirements and smell of the printer as it prints?
I've heard that it has a strong smell even in well ventilated rooms.
It's not the smell you have to worry about. It's not less toxic if the resin is odorless. Best way is to have a dedicated space with an active fan that can evacuate the contaminated air outside of that room. Also run the fan as you take the hood off of the printer and while use cleaning agents and whatnot.
@@basementdwellR Well obviously the fumes are what you're more worried about which is why I bring up the venting requirements, I'm just saying that on top of needing better ventillation, a lot of resins have a heavy odor. I wasn't aware that there were odorless resins, though.
@@1objection I would argue that smelly resins are better; if you can smell it the area is not ventilated enough as smell is particulates :) And yes there are odorless(ish) resins too.
The whistle and the Ikea bracket you printed on this machine and the Prusa Mini, what was the print time like between the two printers for the same model?
Great question. In resin, doing two at a time at a 45 degree angle with supports was 3 hours 30 minutes. With the Wham Bam sheet you could potentially print them flat on the bed (and then easily flex off) and halve the time. On the Prusa Mini, I printed them one at a time at 1 hour 20 minutes. Therefore, I would say the monochrme LCD speeds things up to the point where it's almost as fast as FDM if you can print multiples in the one resin print (which takes the same amount of time).
@@TeachingTech Awesome information, thank you! Been wondering how fdm and monochrome resin compare in terms of speed, I figured it was not a simple answer, but this does help quite a lot.
On LCD printers printing time scales on number of layers, not area of layers, as the entire layer is cured at the same time. Resin printing can be a lot faster than FMD if you do something quite small you can fit many copies next to each other, like rings for example.
@@ayylmao.mp3 I understand how the layers are cured, just never seen anyone compare the new screens with fdm and printing time. I just keep hearing the new screens are faster and more durable.
I am a man with very little patience, fdm printing still tests that patience a year and a half later. Resolution is important, but I tend to error on the side of speed and do more post processing, depending on what I am printing.
after you level the build plate on the phrozen sonic mini 4k... if you power off the machine... then power it on a day or a week later... will it remember your leveling settings?? or do you have to level it again after powering it off? thanks (please give my comment a thumbs up if you reply so that i am notified)
I'm looking to purchasing a resin printer for my husband. He builds custom scale model cars . I an considering this printer or ANYCUBIC Photon Mono LCD 3D. Have you reviewed the Anycubic? I know you tested the Mono X, but honestly that one is a bit pricey for me. He usually does 1:32 scale. Thank you.
At a claimed printing rate of 80mm / hour, and assuming the finest detail of 771ppi @ 2 seconds per layer, the ring should have printed in ~2300 seconds (~40 minutes). Why then did your print take 3h 20m?
Which one has the two linear rails? It was rated good also.
Maybe the Phrozen Transform? That thing is a monster.
Hey I’m trying to decide between this and the elegoo Mars 2 pro or the anycubic photon mono se any advice here I’m looking at getting into custom jewelry and small decor pieces
What did you decide? I am sort of in the same boat.
@@DoubleL11862 I’m in South Africa and it takes so long to get stock at our local retailers that I still haven’t got it but I decided the 4K mighty is a better option you lose some definition but the large build area means more objects per print also it’s a way more solid built machine the price gap here isn’t huge either
Is it just me or should LCDs not be considered a consumable? Like that sounds like a pretty big flaw
How does this printer compare to the prusa sl1?
Man, you didn't mention your printer settings. That's important info! I don't even know the maximum printer resolution in millimetres.
If you download chitubox for free, it will tell you the specs of this and many other printers. It's a great way to compare them.
Here's the settings I eventually figured out:
Layer Height: 0.05
Bottom Layer Count: 7
Transition Layer Counter: 0
Exposure Time: 5s
Bottom Exposure Time: 30s
Light Off Delay: 10s
Bottom Light Off Delay: 9s
Bottom Lift Distance: 6mm
Lighting Distance: 6mm
Bottom Lift Speed: 60mm
Lifting Speed: 60mm
Retract Speed: 150
(This is for Water washable Resin on a Sonic Mini 4k)
Ở phút thứ năm thay vì mình in một chiếc nếu mình in nguyên mâm thì thời gian nó cũng vậy hay sao ạ ?
I currently have 2 FDM printers which are both about 3 years old and have been thinking about getting a resin machine. I want something that can do more detail, which resin is good for, only thing holding me back is the concern for the smell of the resin. I machine will be in my small office which is only 3meter X 3meter (10 foot by 100 foot). Michael whats the smell like for the Phrozen resins and how big of an area do you print in.
I have them in a separate room, actually inside a built in wardrobe with an exhaust fan in the ceiling. I have been slowly refining my setup and will be making a video in future. The Phrozen resins have odour but it's pretty reasonable. It's no where near as strong as Isopropyl alcohol and other washing solutions people use.
@H D Can't really vent it out the window as the printers are on the opposite side of the room where the window is.
Wow 4k is going to make miniatures awesome
Agreed. Finally an affrdable resin printer that I would consider buying.
I wonder what it does with 8K screen.
@@jw200 If there are no distinguishable lines at 4k, I doubt you'd see any difference. The vertical resolution will still be the limiting factor.
@@matbroomfield I don't see why that'd be the case. This printer has an XY resolution of 35 micrometers, but some printers (not sure about this one) can do layer heights of 10 micrometer so even at 8K XY would be the limiting factor
@@kendokaaa Oh fair enough.
Cool shirt
wanna buy resin printer soon🤤🤤🤤
What’s the dimensional accuracy
Is this the printer currently for sale at Jaycar ?
Hi! I wanna buy one and i dont know what to choose between Mini 4k and Mighty 4k. Can you help me pls?
Tough decision
I just scaled this up for my saturn and made a time-lapse of it on my channel
How much time it will take to print a plastic drinking water bottle cap
Please let me know
Thank you in advance
what about this vs the creality resin printer they are both almost the same price. can u make a comparison video please. the results are astonishing
which model creality resin printer?
Buddy of mine just sold me his Mini 4k and it's pretty awesome. The only issue I'm having is with the off-gassing of the resin. Man that stuff smells toxic and will FILL up your house. I'm about to move this thing to the garage. Insta-headache.
Can't you just use a replacement lcd of a higher resolution with the previous model of this printer?
I wondered the same thing