The Mono X2 has been updated from the Photon Mono XThe X2’s upgrades are subtle and if you already own a Mono X that works well, there is no need to replace it. The X2’s upgrades are subtle and if you already own a Mono X that works well, there’s no need to rush out to replace it. But if you’re in the market for a mid-size resin printer with good quality that doesn’t hog up your whole desk, the Mono X2 is a great pick.
Don’t let the 4K tag underwhelm you. The Mono X2 produces crisp detail of 48 microns, smaller than a salt grain. Comparatively, the average FDM plastic extruder layer height is.2mm or 200microns.
Photon Mono X2 currently available for sale. $309 on Anycubic’s website Opens in new window. This printer is an incredible bargain. It can print gaming minis and art pieces that are nearly 8 inches in height. Ready to compete? best resin 3D printersThe X2 comes with a 9.1-inch monochrome display that has an improved light source for smoother prints. The build plate is laser etched, which helps prints stick, but not so much that they’re hard to remove.
Specifications for Anycubic Photon X2
| Build Volume | 200 x 196 x 122 mm (7.8 x 7.7 x 5 inches) |
| LCD Screen | 9.1″ Monochrome |
| Light Source | Parallel matrix |
| Axis Resolution (XY) | 48 Microns |
| Normal Exposure time | 2.5 seconds |
| The interface | Touch Panels 3.5″ |
| Connectivity | USB Type A 2.0 |
| Machine Footprint | 417 x 290 x 260 mm (16.4 x 11.4 x 10.2 inches) |
| Machine Weight | 7 kg (15.6 lbs). |
Includes: Anycubic Mono Photon X2
You will find everything you need in the Anycubic Photon Mono X2 when you open it. You will receive a metal scraper to clean the build plate and a plastic one for cleaning the FEP film. Also included are a large screen protector as well as paper funnels, disposable masks and gloves, Allen keys, an adapter cord, and printed instructions.
Also in the box is a USB thumb drive preloaded with Anycubic’s Photon Workshop slicing software, a PDF of the manual and two pre-sliced test prints.
Printing with Safety on Anycubic Photon X2
Safety precautions are the same for resin printers such as the Anycubic Photon Mono X2. Uncured resin and solvents used to remove prints from the printer can cause irritation to the skin. Wear safety glasses and gloves when handling uncured prints and pouring resin.
Avoid inhaling resin fumes by making sure your room is well ventilated. Spilled or drippy resin should be cleaned as soon as possible with 99% isopropyl. After printing, wipe down the printer and bottles with isopropyl alcohol to remove any smudges. Store your resin out of reach from children and pets.
Assembling Anycubic Photon Mono Mono
The printer comes assembled. It is only necessary to replace the old LED screen protector with the one that comes with the printer. Screw in the vat and build plate and you’re ready for calibration.
The Build Plate of the Anycubic Photon Mono Mono X2 can be calibrated.
As with all 3D Printers, the Anycubic Photon Mono X2 also requires calibration before it can print. It’s easy to level the build plate with just a piece paper and an Allen key. Unfortunately, there’s no good way to tell if you’ve succeeded in leveling until you start printing.
To level the machine remove the vat, and place the piece provided by Anycubic paper on the LCD. The four adjustment screws located on the sides of your build plate should be loosened. The buildplate should be able wiggle.
Put the Z-axis build plate in place and tighten up the top knob. Click on the Tools symbol, then click Move Z. After clicking the Home symbol the Z axis is automatically lowered to the glass.
Press the build plate firmly, evenly and firmly to the glass. Now tighten all screws.
Click Z=0 to set the Z height. Set the Z height. Enter the menu by pressing Enter.
Test the UV light next. Move Z to raise the build plate until you see the LED lights in the machine. Select Exposure from the Tools menu. Choose an image, and how long it should blink. Once you click next, the image should appear. If, for any reason, you don’t see the full image, contact service for help.
The design of the Anycubic Photon Mono X2
The Anycubic Photon Mono X2 resin printer is a midsized model with the same familiar color scheme as other Anycubic resin printing machines. The hood is prism-shaped and the front case has stylish cutouts. The machine feels solid with its metal vat, dual rails and dual rails for the z.
The Photon Mono X2 is a 4K printer with Anycubic’s smooth “LighTurbo” system. Due to the X2’s larger size, its light is spread over a greater area. This leads to a slightly lower resolution of 48 microns. Even though the resolution is 48 microns, it’s still impressive when you consider a hair measures 70 microns.
The Mono X2 has a 196 x 122 mm – 7.7 x 5 inches – laser-etched build plate that has room for a good number of game miniatures or a nice sized sculpture. The surface grabs onto prints to keep them safe, but isn’t too difficult to scrape off. The surface of the plate is sloped enough to allow the majority of resin to drain into the vat.
The screen protector is included to protect the LED glass from scratches and resin drips.
The Anycubic Photon Mono X2 is different from its FDM cousins in that it reads files off a USB stick, not a microSD. The port is located on the side with the power switch, situated where you’re unlikely to drip resin.
There are only three menus to choose from: Print, System, and Tools. The Print menu shows thumbnails for all models stored on your USB stick. The System menu allows you to select the language and display any information that may be needed for service. The Tools section is where you can move the Z-axis, check the LEDs, and level the bed.
Anycubic Photon Mono X2 compatible with Slicers
Anycubic Photon Mono X2 comes with a copy Photon Workshop V3, the custom slicer. The slicer has improved quite a lot and I didn’t have any problems using it. It can automatically and manually add supports. It has easy-to use tools for hollowing and adding drainage holes to the model.
Lychee slicer also supports Mono X2, however, at this time there is no profile available for Chitubox.
How to Wash and Cure Your Prints
Before you can admire your prints, you’ll need to Wash them with Isopropyl Alcohol and cure with UV Light. I give my prints a 30 sec hand rinse with 95% Isopropyl Alcohol, then a two minute rinse with the Anycubic wash and cure Opens in new windowAnycubic.com offers the separate product for $219.
Completely dry the print with a hair dryer on cool – IPA left on the print will turn white. You can let the print dry by air in an area away from sunlight.
Because they are softer, supports can be removed more easily before curing. Use side cutters to cut off the supports and tweezers for stubborn ones. Always wear gloves when handling uncured prints.
Place the print on a UV curing machine for 15 minutes or in direct sunlight for several hours.
It is not a good idea to flush your IPA down a drain, particularly if the resin hasn’t been cured. Instead, keep using the resin until it’s too dirty, then leave the container open to evaporate. The remaining sludge may be dried with UV or sunlight before being thrown out.
Before disposing of supports, they should be cleaned.
Sample Prints of the Anycubic Photon Mono X2
Anycubic has provided an excellent exposure test. The USB stick contains 8 models that are nearly identical. It is a pre-sliced R E F (Resin Exposition Range Finder). Each model is assigned a unique number between 1 and 8. The default exposure for the first model is 1.5 seconds. All other models print.25 second longer. This allows one plate of test prints to give you a decent range of exposure settings – from 1.5 to 3.25 seconds using a default of 1.5 seconds.
Each test print has a number, so that you can remove them, wash them and cure before making any judgements. All the settings I used with Anycubic Water Based were good enough, so i decided to use a 2.5-second exposure.
The X2 is no stranger to miniatures. I was able to fit 8 of MZ4250’s tiny warriors – some reclining at a steep angle – on the build plate. They turned out crisp with excellent details using Anycubic’s Grey Water Washable resin. They’re a little shiny from being washed with alcohol, which is what I’ve got in my wash and cure station. Water washable resin can be clean with tap water, but it’s still toxic to wildlife and should not be poured down the sink. If you wash with water you’ll get a flat finish – and still have a gallon or so of nasty water you’ll need to dispose of like a household chemical.
It took 4 hours, 11 minutes and 2.5 seconds per layer to print the models.
Anycubic provided a sample. High Clear Resin (opens a new window) Photon Mono X2 was tested and the results were amazing. The resin is as clear as glass – if you handle it correctly. After washing, it needs to be sealed with a thin layer of High Clear resin, and then dried. The process of painting resin on an articulated dragon may not be easy, but the end result is worth it.
The X2 is big enough to fit a full sized dragon, so there’s no need to reduce the size of this print. The print was flattened on the plate and gently removed with a scraper. High Clear requires a longer print time and a 4-second exposure per layer. This was printed in just 3 hours, 23 minutes.
I used this 100mm tall replica of Lance Reddick in the role of Commander Zavala. Siraya Tech’s Fast Navy (opens a new window) resin. The exposure time was 2.5 seconds and it took 8 hours 31 minutes. The model has incredibly fine details, including text that’s hard to read without a magnifier on the backside. It was created to honor Reddick. Destiny players paid tribute to him in game after he passed away in March. It’s posted free of charge on CG Trader for fans.
The print was tilted back 45 degrees in the printer, so there’s a tiny blemish on his forehead from the layers lines. It’s only .5 mm wide and barely perceptible without magnification.
Bottom Line
The Anycubic Photon Mono X2 strikes the right balance between resolution, size and price. The build size of the Anycubic Photon Mono X2 is large without being difficult to use. It has enough resolution to produce impressive models, and retails at a reasonable $429.
The Mono X2 is so easy to use I feel it’s a good entry point for beginners who don’t want to start with a tiny machine. It’s also a very reasonable upgrade for someone who’s outgrown a smaller desktop printer, but not ready to invest more for a printer with ultra resolution.
If you want a larger printer with even more resolution, check out the Phrozen Sonic Mighty 8K which has a 10” LCD screen and 28 microns of resolution for $649. The older Anycubic Photon Mono X, which is currently on sale at $299, is also available if you are looking to save some cash. The Photon Mono X2 offers a good combination of output quality and value.
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