UniFormation GKTwo 3D Printer Evaluation: 8K Printing in One Stable Package deal

Execs

• Heated Resin Vat
• Giant construct space
• Hinged lid
• Curing station is superb

Cons

• Filters do nothing
• Slicer is just not good
• I want for WiFi

With few exceptions, my experiences with consumer-grade resin printers have largely been an train in persistence. When all of it comes out such as you need, it is simply shy of magic, however the path to get there may be greater than a bit difficult, and there aren’t a ton of corporations that appear centered on making the method simpler. The UniFormation GKTwo resin printer grabs your consideration by providing a bigger construct plate than a lot of the consumer-grade rivals whereas remaining aggressive on worth, but it surely’s the entire {hardware} suite obtainable to enrich this printer, which actually elevates the expertise to one thing really fascinating.

At its core, GKTwo is a ten.3-inch 8K resin printer with a helpful contact display screen on the entrance and a hinged door to make getting out and in of the construct area pretty straightforward. In a world the place most resin printers underneath $1,000 lack refined interfaces and often embody a shell you must take away and put aside to entry the construct area, the design alone is one thing to be a bit enthusiastic about. It isn’t excellent by any means, the interface might use some tweaks in its translation to English and the carbon filter connected to the fan within the again may as properly be ornamental for all the great it does in eliminating vapors and odors, however the general expertise is loads much less intimidating than many others on this class. Plus it is massive, comparatively talking, which is nice information for anybody seeking to both print bigger issues or print smaller issues in better quantity. 

The GKTwo additionally units itself aside in a means by providing a heated vat, which in some instances dramatically reduces the time to print one thing. A hotter resin pool means it cures sooner, so much less time is spent pausing between every layer of the print to verify all the pieces has gone in response to plan. This characteristic is extra widespread amongst dearer resin printers, so it is good to see extra consumer-focused choices beginning to see these extra superior choices. I really feel it is vital to spotlight that this characteristic is not enabled by default, and discovering the characteristic within the menu to activate it could possibly be a greater expertise. It is also not one thing the GKTwo Slicer software program appears to concentrate on, which makes its predictions on how lengthy one thing will take to print much less helpful.

The place the GKTwo actually begins to really feel like one thing particular is while you add in its equipment, the washing station and curing station. Whilst you can clearly use any washing or curing station with the prints from this machine, the washing vat UniFormation made is particularly designed to allow you to take the construct plate off the GKTwo and place it straight into it after which hit begin. This is not a requirement; you should utilize the included basket to drop in no matter you’ve got printed and raise the entire thing out so it will possibly drip safely for a second, however the comfort of utilizing the construct plate is incredible. 

My solely actual difficulty with the washing station is the shortage of a safe seal on the lid of the container. A big resin printer requires a big washing station, which suggests this method can maintain seven liters of denatured alcohol which might evaporate shortly if not sealed tight. As for the curing station, it could not be easier to make use of. It is bought 4 mild strips with 4 UV LEDs every, so the rotating heart can guarantee each angle will get the identical quantity of sunshine. 

3D Printers are often restricted solely by the creativity of its person and the way straightforward the software program is to make use of, and sadly, this is not an space the GKTwo excels in. The really useful slicer for this printer feels pretty barebones, providing plenty of the fundamental choices you’d anticipate for those who’ve used every other slicer however nothing particularly stands out. There is no technique to ship information wirelessly to the printer, you want a USB follow switch, and there is no technique to remotely verify on the progress of an energetic print other than utilizing the show on the printer. Like many different 3D Printers, the general expertise can be so significantly better if just a bit extra consideration was paid to the person expertise within the slicer. You should use Chitubox, which is extra feature-rich than the usual slicer however nonetheless lacks any form of distant monitoring.

Printing on the GKTwo is constantly good if a bit guide. The 8K panel delivers spectacular element, and the one time I’ve had any prints fail, it was totally as a result of person error. You really want to understand how a lot resin you will have in your vat, as a result of there aren’t any measurements on the facet of the container or an inside scale to let you know. Equally, it is advisable sometimes re-level the construct plate, however the software program will not let you know this must occur. These are comprehensible compromises to maintain the fee down and pretty straightforward to make part of your routine, however the first time a print fails as a result of certainly one of these upkeep issues lapsed it is certain to frustrate a reasonably new person. 

There’s loads to love about UniFormation’s massive inexperienced resin printer. As intimidating as this type of printer may be in comparison with the broad world of FDM printers on the market, the GKTwo and its equipment stand out as an entire package deal value investing in. On the similar time, this printer represents a baseline for software program that the business as an entire wants to deal with. If the purpose of a machine like that is to get extra individuals keen on printing, the software program wants to begin exhibiting the identical degree of excellence and thoughtfulness because the {hardware} it helps.