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Carefully transfer the build plate to your paper towel-lined work tray and use a scraper/knife to gently ease off and remove the model.
The cheapest way to cure a print is to use UV rays from the sun. Simply expose your print to direct sunlight for anywhere from 4 to 8 hours (depending on if it’s a sunny day at the height of summer, or an overcast day deep into winter). Scraper– or a sharp knife to remove prints from the build surface without damaging features and details. We suggest avoiding plastic scrapers as these aren’t generally sharp enough to get under the model and remove it cleanly. Curing Process: Expose the print to UV light for 10-15 minutes or until dry and hard. Use a wash and cure station, a DIY setup, or sunlight.Resin 3D printing has always been a bit messy since liquid chemicals are involved in the process. In that respect, it’s never been much of a user-friendly 3D printing technique. Unscrew the build plate from the printer arm and gently angle it 45° and let any excess uncured resin drip into the vat. Remember to rotate it at regular intervals so that the sun reaches all parts of the model. For smaller prints, especially miniatures, you can also place them in a glass of water. The water will refract the UV light across the full surface of the print, speeding up the curing process. Some resin 3D prints curing in the sun. Source: Imgur
Phrozen is a manufacturer of LCD resin 3D printers as well as resins. Among several different types of resin, they also offer a water-washable resin. It was mainly developed for Phrozen’s 3D printers, which utilize a 405-nm wavelength light source. It’s compatible, however, with all other 405-nm printers as well. For example, eSun eCure Lite provides a collapsible silicone tent and a USB-powered UV light source – everything you need to cure your prints. You can dial in cure times as you would with a proper wash and cure station and have the added benefit of being able to fold down the tent for easy storage. Many of these also come with a small, battery-powered/sunlight powered turntable and reflective base, which ensure all parts of the print are cured uniformly.
We have also written an article on the best UV light sources for curing resin prints. DIY Cure Station Though you can buy dedicated curing stations, these generally come in 2-in-1 machines with a washing function built in. The instructions for curing depend on the specific wash and cure model, but in general the process involves fixing in the provided turntable, placing the model on the turntable inside the machine, replacing the UV-protective lid, dialing in the cure cycle length, then firing it off to cure the print.
But, don’t worry too much if your print stays exposed for a few minutes more than necessary, it takes much more to over-cure a print. You’d need to leave it exposed to UV light for hours to cause damage, and if the parts are used for decorative applications, you are unlikely to notice the effects of over-curing at all. Can You Cure Resin Prints Without Washing Them? Furthermore, ultrasonic baths are serious equipment and need to be handled correctly. Using IPA in a bath is a major fire hazard and aerosolized alcohol can be extremely harmful to the lungs if inhaled. How to Dispose of Leftover Resin SafelyOnce you open the bottle, you’ll notice the resin’s smell, but it’s far from what you’d call an intense resin odor. Models made with this resin have a nice, vibrant color. Remove Residue with Ease】 You don’t need to wash your prints with IPA anymore, just rinse it with water and you’re good to go.
It’s also mentioned that the smell is lower, but in my opinion, it has worse smell compared to my other resins. Printing Experience with Elegoo Water Washable Resin ChainbreakerWhile solar curing is a great stop gap and a thrifty option, nothing beats a dedicated store-bought wash and cure station from a reputable SLA printer manufacturer. These are cleaner and tend to keep mess contained, while also removing the risk of chemicals flying out and potentially harming you. With the print now free of uncured liquid resin, set it aside in your tray or on a fresh piece of paper towel and let it air dry to remove the IPA from its surface. The second recommendation did not bring any new information. I always clean the inside of the prints using a syringe where I inject water (or IPA) inside the model. This is done multiple times to ensure good cleaning. Though IPA is by far the most efficient option for cleaning prints prior to curing, there are alternatives out there. There are a few reasons you may want to consider an Isopropyl alcohol alternative, namely IPA can command quite a high price per liter, is often subject to availability issues, and can be quite abrasive and harmful if not handled correctly.
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