| Build Volume | 115 x 65 x 165 mm |
| Layer Resolution X | 47 microns |
| Layer Resolution Y | 47 microns |
| Layer Resolution Z | 1.25 microns |
| Layer Resolution Low | 100 microns |
| Layer Resolution High | 25 microns |
| Print Speed Max. | 20 mm/h |
Photon-S is a resin 3D printer from the Chinese manufacturer Anycubic. It is a later version of its pretty famous predecessor, Photon. This series of DUP machines is a staple of affordable 3D printers for photopolymer resins. Photon-S utilizes a 2K LCD screen as a curing source and provides a build volume of 115 x 65 x 165 mm.
Anycubic Photon is one of the most popular and low-cost resin 3D printers on the market, that gained popularity due to easy use and maintenance, high resin compatibility and good value for the money. This machine is still popular now, despite later versions released by Anycubic and other brands jumping onto the market of low-cost resin printing. Let’s start with the changes and upgrades of the S model.
Both visually and structurally Photon-S looks slightly different. Moreover, the enclosure and the machine are now primarily plastic, making the printer weight less, which is a questionable change from the metal Photon. The printer has wider “windows” to monitor the process, though, Photon didn’t have a significant issue with that. Additionally, the machine lost handles on the sides and front.
The build volume of Photon-S is insignificantly larger. It stayed the same in X and Y but grew a bit in Z-axis allowing for taller prints.
Photon-S notably has dual rails in Z-axis, which isn’t that common for an affordable DUP printer. Unstable Z-axis can be a source of print artifacts and quality issues, so having 2 of them helps get smoother work from the printer.
Printing bed on Photon-S features a “hairline build plate” or, simply put, textured aluminum. This tiny relief on the plate helps the print to grab onto the plate and sit safely during the printing process.
Anycubic upgraded the operation process of LCD screen, which in S model features a focusing lens for every diode. This change provides better resolution and reduces excess curing. Additionally, the power of the light source has grown from 40W to 50W. While Photon featured only 4 diodes on the plate, Photon-S has 28.
Photon-S has a different control display and UI. It also has a second air filter (while Photon had only one). Other small but handy features are the ability to run an exposure time test, which is available after firmware update, and the alias slicer option (which smooths the surface of the print).
Moving to the similarities, there are lots of them as well. The structure of the resin tank and build plate stayed the same. Anycubic’s own software for slicing is required for Photon-S, too, and with the firmware upgrade, the machine loses its ability to read files sliced in another software (like Chitubox). Overall, for users of Anycubic Photon, there aren’t many reasons to move to S model. However, for starters that look to try out resin printing without breaking the bank, Photon-S would be a preferable machine.
