Nova3D Elfin – 3D Printer Review

A reasonably priced photocuring 3D resin printer can be found with the No products found.. 3D resin printing is the process of projecting layers of a design through a high definition masking screen onto the print bed as it rises out of a vat of resin. As each layer rises from the vat it’s cured by an ultraviolet light source. Most builds can be easily cleaned and processed under a UV lamp to strengthen the finished product.

No products found.

No products found.

The No products found. offers an improved 3D resin printing experience. Take a look at the specs:

Nova3D Elfin LCD 3D Printer Technical Specs

Design & Features

This No products found. review finds the machine to be sturdy as its triangular shape stabilizes it for the build process. The anti-ultraviolet orange cover promotes consistent lighting throughout printing as well as being shatterproof. Its design is an improvement compared to other 3D resin printers within the price range as the bulk of its parts are injection molded. The injection-molded parts allow for prolonged use which translates into saved dollars as parts don’t need to be replaced as often. However, it does mean the replacement parts have to come from Nova3D, so the photocuring 3D resin printer isn’t mod-friendly.

When it comes to replacing parts like the FEP film, Nova3D makes it an easy process as the film’s held taut in an injection-molded cover that screws into place. You’ll also notice the print bed design fits snugly as it attaches to the thickened z-axis rail with a single locking wheel. It comes factory leveled out of the box but can be adjusted with the three mounting screws securing the z-axis to the printer’s base.

The print bed moves up and down easily without excessive vibrations as it rises an impressive height of 150 mm. The build area is larger compared to other 3D resin printers. Even though it’s enclosed due to the photocuring process of building designs, it should be used in a well-ventilated area. 

Another notable feature is the wireless connectivity options so the printer doesn’t have to be tethered to a machine. Connecting the 3D resin printer to your personal Wi-Fi network allows it to be connected to several computers without the hassle of wiring, or for a single computer to connect to several Elfin resin printers simultaneously. The Nova3D Elfin also supports a USB stick and holds an impressive memory storage capacity of 8 GB so files can be stored on the printer without having to be online. 

Navigating the menu options to reach the wireless network settings is easy too. The color touchscreen makes the Nova3D printer simplistic and intuitive allowing users to track the print progress, time-lapsed, number of layers, and imaging. The company also provides an Android-based app to monitor those untethered print jobs that slice faster than normal 3d resin printers. 

This photocuring 3D resin printer uses proprietary NovaMake software to slice builds at an impressive speed but an increased print speed often means sacrificing quality.

Printing 

Printing with the No products found. from Nova3D isn’t complicated when starting out as the print bed comes leveled out of the box. The builds finish with great precision and fine details, but be sure to check your leveling as the first layer adhesion can be lackluster with your first test print. Other build issues may arise when printing with clearer resins as the voxels can be highly evident in these rather than with more opaque resins. The NovaMake slicer software can diminish the rougher surface finishes and voxelization by increasing the anti-aliasing feature. In doing so, you’ll get an even finer build finish but it decreases the build speed. The build speed averages around 30 mm per hour.

When performing test prints with the Elfin resin 3D printer, check the properties of the resin to be sure the material isn’t over curing as the build can become very brittle. Snapping off supports can break off pieces of the finished print. You can use programs like Meshmixer to create support in the .cws files along with hollowing out the design files too. Always make sure to drain excess resin from finished builds prior to any post-curing process which can be done with a UV lamp.

Users can print a variety of files from the Elfin printer with any preferred resin. The 3D resin printer is able to use third-party build materials but the machine itself doesn’t come with a sample in the packaging. Some sites like Amazon offer a free 250 ml bottle of resin to accompany the printer’s purchase. Another bonus is that the printer is very quiet making it optimal for studios and offices but should still be used in a well-ventilated area as the fumes from the resin can be pungent and toxic.

Packing

The No products found. 3D printer comes packed tightly in foam inserts to prevent damage during the shipping process. It takes no time at all to unpack the Elfin resin 3D printer connect the print bed to the thickened z-axis rail, power cord and set up a test print. 

Here is what you can expect out of the box:

• 1 x Quick operation guide
• 1 x Power adapter 
• 1 x Power cable
• 1 x Tweezers 
• 1 x Tool kits 
• 4 x Pairs of gloves 
• 1 x U-disk 
• 1 x Spatula 
• 1 x Spray bottle 
• 1 x FEP film set 
• 1 x Build plate 
• 1 x Resin vat
• 1 x Funnel 
• 1 x Filter

Customer Support

Nova3D offers a one-year warranty for the product along with a lifetime of technical support that doesn’t include the masking screen or the FEP film. Questions regarding the warranty should be forwarded to the support team which promises to respond to all inquiries within 24 hours except for some holidays. However, some customers report extreme delays with receiving help from tech support and the online community. It should be noted that the company and the Elfin is a new product without widespread use so massive forums aren’t available as of yet.

Nova3D offers a collection of video tutorials and guides on the website along with answers to common issues like how to clean spilled resin and replace specific parts of the Nova3D Elfin 3D printer. If the videos and troubleshooting solutions don’t have the answers you’re looking for, the company provides emails, phone numbers, and addresses to their offices in the US, Japan, and Australia. The email and phone number to the after-sales team are also provided on the website’s contact page.

Nova3D Elfin Pros & Cons

No products found.

No products found.

Pros:

• There’s wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi, along with a USB stick, and large memory storage for both tethered and untethered printing.
• The triangular injection-molded printer is built for stabilized printing and the injection-molded parts prolong the life of the machine’s consumable pieces.
• Third-party resins can be used with the photocuring 3D resin printer.
• The anti-aliasing feature increases smoother surface finishes and can be adjusted.
• The printer and touch screen are easy to use and navigate.

Cons:

• The build area is small compared to filament printers but larger in comparison to 3D resin printers.
• There isn’t any sample resin included with the packaging.
• The printer isn’t mod-friendly since the bulk of its components are injection-molded.

Verdict

After this No products found. review, it’s easy to see this resin printer is a great deal for the price. It comes factory-leveled, but can be adjusted via the z-axis mounting screws. It’s a stable photocuring 3D resin printer that prints quietly, but resin gives off strong fumes. The wireless connectivity feature makes it great for housing multiple Elfins to print from a single untethered device that can be monitored through the app. It’s a reasonably priced resin printer that can be used across a variety of industries like dental, jewelry design and DIY projects. 

Last update on 2024-10-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API