EufyMake UV 3D texture printer

[TazMan2000]

eufyMake - Make it Real｜Formerly AnkerMake

eufyMake, formerly AnkerMake, empowers creators with the E1—an intuitive tool for UV printing, creative projects & custom printing that brings ideas to life.

www.eufymake.com

I don't support Kickstarter campaigns but I have to say that this printer is surprising. I work on the large flatbed and roll to roll models of these UV printers for commercial environments, but I'm surprised that they have made a relatively affordable CMYKW Cyan Magenta Yellow blacK (Key) and White for home shop use.

As with photopolymer resins, photopolymer inks have the same or perhaps worse toxicity, so you have to be careful of this when working with the technology. The white inks usually have titanium mixed in to assist in reflectivity and opaqueness. Due to the lower viscosity of the ink, the titanium particles tend to settle to the bottom of the commercial printer cartridges or ink bags, and have to be removed and agitated daily in order to keep the titanium particles suspended or else they will plug up ink lines and pumps. Most commercial printers have a recirculation system to keep white ink mixing and flowing to mitigate the titanium settling, so I'm not sure how EufyMake will solve that issue. Also, commercial UV printers have to be kept powered on for the same reason, or else the titanium particles settle as well as other inks can coagulate in the lines due to short ink shelf and install life, as well as light leakage. Daily maintenance is a concern. I'm certain printheads would be expensive if they become clogged. So one would have to print something daily (yes, maybe even on vacation) in order to ensure the life of the printheads.

A great thing about this printer is that it can directly print on round mugs, although I wouldn't recommend this myself, considering the problems with ink adherence. White ink printing is really what stands out on this, as someone could possibly use this to create decals without having to use outdated technology or ghostwhite laser printers. Keep in mind, that since this printer uses UV ink, there is going to be a bit of texture for colours so it may not be suitable for decals on scale aircraft or tanks, if accuracy is paramount.

TazMan2000

 

[joberg]

Interesting read Taz...I know that printing in white ink is always a PITA (as to find the right printing house to do so and at a low yield, for us poor scale/prop modelers) The other thing that's scream "Printing shop making prints 24/7", is the heads/lines clogging with the lack of activity from the printer.

 

[TazMan2000]

Interesting read Taz...I know that printing in white ink is always a PITA (as to find the right printing house to do so and at a low yield, for us poor scale/prop modelers) The other thing that's scream "Printing shop making prints 24/7", is the heads/lines clogging with the lack of activity from the printer.

UV lamps do wear out as well, so there will be ongoing repair on this. Who knows how much replacement parts will cost, or if there will be replacement parts at all. If something significant breaks, maybe even as simple as a printhead, you may need to purchase a whole new system.

The reflection of UV is also a problem. I've seen videos where they printed images on a mirror, however, this can be quite dangerous, where the mirror can reflect UV light back on to the printhead nozzles, curing the ink inside of the nozzles. It doesn't necessarily have to be a mirror. Lots of surfaces reflect UV. In addition, if the height of the printhead is too high off of the media, there is an increased danger of UV light bounce, in addition to blurry images. But I've seen it print on an uneven cardboard box with acceptable quality, which leads me to believe that it may only print unidirectionally.

I'm probably getting too technical for most interested parties.

TazMan2000

 

[joberg]

UV lamps do wear out as well, so there will be ongoing repair on this. Who knows how much replacement parts will cost, or if there will be replacement parts at all. If something significant breaks, maybe even as simple as a printhead, you may need to purchase a whole new system.

The reflection of UV is also a problem. I've seen videos where they printed images on a mirror, however, this can be quite dangerous, where the mirror can reflect UV light back on to the printhead nozzles, curing the ink inside of the nozzles. It doesn't necessarily have to be a mirror. Lots of surfaces reflect UV. In addition, if the height of the printhead is too high off of the media, there is an increased danger of UV light bounce, in addition to blurry images. But I've seen it print on an uneven cardboard box with acceptable quality, which leads me to believe that it may only print unidirectionally.

I'm probably getting too technical for most interested parties.

TazMan2000

It's seems like a high end sports car that needs constant TLC + money + time before it can live to its technical reputation...

 

[TazMan2000]

It's seems like a high end sports car that needs constant TLC + money + time before it can live to its technical reputation...

Yeah. Unless it is a small home based business which you could keep the printer running on jobs, or promotional items, this is not realistic. UV ink does expire.

TazMan2000

 

[TazMan2000]

A caveat I should add in, is that if someone who is into decal and graphics printing and willing to make a go at using this printer every day in their business, I'm certain that it could prove to be quite lucrative (if you have the client base and a way to advertise...Facebook, Etsy, Ebay, etc) considering what commercial graphics printers charge for their work (base charge, setup charge, ink charge, etc.) and most businesses won't even touch a small project.

TazMan2000

 

[TazMan2000]

Long video, but here is a overview of how they make the whole machine. You may want to speed through it. The printheads are all one assembly.

TazMan2000

 

[joberg]

Very interesting video about the entire steps of manufacturing it takes to build a machine like that. Maybe, as a novelty, you could set up a booth in a big mall and show people how it's possible to make their everyday product more unique (like that phone sleeve, for example).

 

[TazMan2000]

Very interesting video about the entire steps of manufacturing it takes to build a machine like that. Maybe, as a novelty, you could set up a booth in a big mall and show people how it's possible to make their everyday product more unique (like that phone sleeve, for example).

Honestly, I was blown away by the auto levelling feature, particularly with the cup printer. I'm a little confused at how, mechanically, they are getting the solvent feature into the printhead, but if it works, it's genius. With the roll feature, you can do decals for vehicles, or skateboards.

I have to iterate that these inks are dangerous but the solvent is even more so. The inks become safe after exposure to UV, but the solvents, most likely, have to be disposed of as hazardous material as well as any cleaning supplies or PPE that you use to manually clean the machine, if there is an accident.

It's not for everyone, but I think this printer is going to be a really big hit.

TazMan2000

 

[joberg]

Honestly, I was blown away by the auto levelling feature, particularly with the cup printer. I'm a little confused at how, mechanically, they are getting the solvent feature into the printhead, but if it works, it's genius. With the roll feature, you can do decals for vehicles, or skateboards.

I have to iterate that these inks are dangerous but the solvent is even more so. The inks become safe after exposure to UV, but the solvents, most likely, have to be disposed of as hazardous material as well as any cleaning supplies or PPE that you use to manually clean the machine, if there is an accident.

It's not for everyone, but I think this printer is going to be a really big hit.

TazMan2000

I don't know if the "more-than-experienced" amateur could make it a go (as you mentioned, solvent is nasty), but it's defo for pros in the industry who have the space, ventilation, etc...

 

[TazMan2000]

I don't know if the "more-than-experienced" amateur could make it a go (as you mentioned, solvent is nasty), but it's defo for pros in the industry who have the space, ventilation, etc...

I'm sure just about anybody can learn how to print and maintain this as long as they follow the instructions. I'm glad you mentioned the ventilation aspect of this, because it wouldn't be safe to use this in a place where the air is recycled in a house. An external vent would definitely be advisable.

TazMan2000