The Wanhao Duplicator 7 Plus series has been around since the beginning of 2017 and it has drawn a lot of attention from the 3D printing community. One of the main reasons for this was because finding a DLP 3D printer for less than $500 is a phenomenal deal.
When the Plus version finally arrived, at a slightly higher price point, it was a game-changer. With some great additional benefits, it proved to be a really nice upgrade.
When you compare a DLP 3D printer with a FDM 3D printer you’ll find that the DLP machines are able to print much smaller objects with more detail. With that being said, as these types of 3D printers are becoming more and more popular the competition has become stiffer. With newcomers to the market such as the Anycubic Photon S and the ELEGOO Mars UV LCD 3D producing high-quality prints with an attractive price, tags are a little more commonplace than prior years.
Today, we are going to review the Wanhao Duplicator 7 Plus in detail and cover this amazing DLP 3D printer from top to bottom. But first, let’s go over the technical specifications.
Wanhao Duplicator 7 Plus Technical Specifications
| Technology: | UV Resin DLP (Digital Light Processing) |
| Build Volume: | 120 x 68 x 200mm |
| Layer Resolution: | 35-100 microns |
| Materials: | 405 NM UV resins |
| Max Print Speed: | 35mm/hour |
| Resolution: | 2560 x 1440 |
| Connectivity: | USB, SD Card, WiFi, Ethernet |
| Print Bed: | Aluminum Surface |
| Unit Size: | 550 x 300 x 300mm |
| Light Source: | 405NM UV Light |
| Light Projection Size: | 5.5 inch LCD |
Design and Features
One of the things you’ll notice right away about the Wanhao Duplicator 7 Plus is that it appears to be very well made and sturdy. The chassis is made from solid steel and the inner mechanisms are also solidly built and mostly made of metal. This version has a few design features that are good to highlight. The first is an anti-wobble cover located on top of the aluminum stand beam. It also features a nice touch screen, double rail anti-wobble system, and a triple cooling fan.
One of the nice things about this printer is that the menus are simple and easy to navigate. It features large icons that make it easy to tap and a breeze to get the hang of.
Another great thing about this DLP 3D printer is that you have a few connectivity options available to you. This printer can be connected via USB, SD card, WiFi or through an ethernet port. You also have the option of controlling the printer from your computer which is also a nice option.
It is uncommon to find a 3D printer that offers more than a couple of connectivity options and the Wanhao Duplicator 7 Plus really does a great job offering several options.
Printing Performance
The Wanhao Duplicator 7 Plus is a DLP 3D printer. What makes this printer different from other models that are FDM 3D printers is the way that it works.
FDM 3D printers use plastic filament heated through a nozzle. They create 3D models by feeding the melted plastic through the nozzle layer by layer. On the contrary, a DLP or SLA printer is very different. These types of printers use liquid resins that are cured by light. These types of 3D printers come with a tank or vat in which the resin is stored. DLP and SLA 3D printers print 3D models upside down. The build plate on the machine dips into a resin tank layer by layer. DLP printers like the Wanhao Duplicator 7 Plus use a technology called Digital Light processing. The project, or model that is being printed is projected layer by layer onto the build plate. After each layer is dipped into the resin an internal light mechanism cures the resin. Once the resin has hardened, the build plate then moves on to the next slice of the object being printed.
One of the great things about a DLP printer is that it produces highly detailed objects and prints. When it comes to the screen resolution that any DLP 3D printer offers, the Wanhao Duplicator 7 has a fantastic 1440 x 2560 resolution.
While we’re discussing the printing performance of his 3D printer it’s also important to know that resin-based 3D printers are not the best option for beginners. While this printer does come fully assembled you would not consider it to be exactly plug-and-play. Learning and understanding how to handle resin is very important. Now only is it a messy process, the fumes can be a bit overwhelming for some people. It’s also very important to wear gloves and other safety equipment when operating a resin 3D printer. As always it’s always best to review the instruction manual and all safety precautions before operating a 3D printer like this. Now, we don’t tell you this to scare you but it is just something that you want to be aware of before purchasing a resin-based 3D printer in general. If you are new to 3D printing and still want to try your hand, be sure to move slowly and follow the directions.
Once you have a good handle on those things, you have a phenomenal experience printing with a resin-based 3D printer like the Wanhao Duplicator 7 Plus DLP 3D printer. Not only does it have superb 3D printing quality it’s also very fun to use and learn.
Packing and Assembly
The Wanhao Duplicator 7 Plus comes fully assembled. Wanhao has the words “Plug and Play” on the outside of the box which for the most part is true aside from those that are beginners. It comes in a Wanhao branded box secured with black plastic traps.
When you first open the box Getting Started Guide which is fantastic especially if this is your first resin 3D printer. You will also find a separate booklet with instructions for Wanhao Creation Workshop. The 3D printer itself is packed into the box very well using a black, slightly rubbery foam which is meant to be impact absorbing during transport. The first item that comes out of the box is the solid black cover, followed by the bottom unit itself that is astutely wrapped in plastic sitting in another chunk of black plastic foam.
Once you get the plastic off you’ll notice that everything is held together pretty well with more black plastic straps or zip-ties as well as a box that includes a black empty jar, a bottle of resin, black gloves, and knobs (two to secure the resin vat and the other to secure the build plate). Inside a plastic bag, you’ll find a nice scraper, screwdriver and power cord.
Here’s what comes with the Wanhao Duplicator 7 Plus:
- Wanhao D7 Plus Printer
- Spare Fep Tape sheet for Screen
- Jar for cleaning finished prints
- Scraper
- 2x Latex gloves
- Power cable UK and EUR cable
- Hex Driver
How to Level the Wanhao Duplicator 7 Plus
At this point, we thought it best to go ahead and level the printer which was pretty easy. First, we put on the build plate and tightened it. In order to level the build plate, you simply loosen the screws on both sides of the build plate using the screwdriver that was included. This simply loosens the build plate up. It will move fairly freely at this point. After that, tap the utility menu, then tap “Level” and then ok. The machine will then lower the build plate into the resin vat. Once it has reached the bottom and stops, take your screwdriver and tighten up the four screws that you loosened before you started. You may want to use a finger or to hold the build plate down to keep things steady if you have to. Once you’ve tightened all the screws you’re all set!
Support
In terms of support, the Wanhao website is certainly a good resource. On their website, you will find a quick start guide for each of the Duplicator 7 models, including the Duplicator 7 Plus that we are reviewing now. It is a very thorough document and it even lists the changes and upgrades between each model that has been released. In addition, there are plenty of other manuals, software downloads, etc.
The Wanhao Duplicator 7 also comes with a one year warranty that starts from the date of purchase. Wanhao also encourages customers to reach out to them directly should they experience any difficulties via phone or email.
Wanhao Duplicator 7 Plus Pros & Cons
If you’ve made it this far into the review you should already know that this DLP resin 3D printer is great all around. However, this machine definitely isn’t perfect. With that being said let’s go over the pros and cons of this 3D printer.
Pros
- Features a triple cooling fan to avoid overheating
- Touch screen for easy navigation
- High-quality prints
- Incredible value
- Simple bed leveling
- Castability in gold, silver, platinum and all castable materials
Cons
- Cleaning can take quite a bit of time
- Resin fumes can be harmful
- Safety gear should be worn at all times
Verdict
When it comes down to it we were fairly impressed with the Wanhao Duplicator 7 Plus. This resin DLP 3D printer is a great high precision option for hobbyists, designers, jewelry makers, and dental projects. If you’re looking for a reliable, sturdy and well built DLP resin 3D printer then the Wanhao Duplicator 7 Plus is a really great option. As you know, searching for a quality, low-cost resin 3D printer can typically be a pretty tough ask. But this printer delivers on quality, cost, and results which is hard for many resin 3D printers to live up to.
Last update on 2024-05-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
