The Ultimate Guide to the Elegoo Jupiter Resin 3D Printer

The Elegoo Jupiter is a powerful, high-resolution resin 3D printer that produces incredibly detailed prints for hobbyists and professionals alike. With its 6.08 inch monochrome LCD and UV LED light source, the Jupiter achieves astonishing print resolution up to 28 microns, making it one of the highest resolution resin printers under $1000.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Elegoo Jupiter’s specs, features, print quality, software, and more. We’ll also compare it to similar printers like the Phrozen Mega 8K and Anycubic Photon Mono X to help you decide if the Jupiter is the right 3D printer for your needs and budget.

Elegoo Jupiter Overview

The Elegoo Jupiter is a 6.08 inch monochrome LCD resin 3D printer released in late 2021. It’s an upgrade over Elegoo’s older Saturn model, offering higher resolution, a bigger build volume, and faster print speeds.

Some key specs and features of the Jupiter include:

• Build Volume: 7.6 x 4.7 x 7.9 inches
• LCD Resolution: 6.08 inches, 3840 x 2400 pixels
• XY Resolution: 35 microns
• Z Axis Resolution: 10 microns
• Light Source: UV integrated light (equivalent to 240 LED lights)
• Layer Thickness: 0.01-0.15mm
• Print Speed: Up to 80mm/hour
• Supported Resins: 405nm standard resin
• Connectivity: USB, WiFi, LAN
• OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
• Price: Around $699

With its high 3840 x 2400 pixel LCD panel, the Jupiter can achieve up to 28 microns resolution on the X and Y axes. The 10 micron Z axis resolution allows for smooth stepping between layers. Overall print quality is extremely detailed and crisp.

The larger 7.6 x 4.7 x 7.9 inch build area gives you more flexibility for printing larger models in one go. Elegoo also improved the light source by using a UV integrated lightstrip equivalent to 240 LEDs. This provides more even curing across the whole print area.

Faster print speeds of up to 80mm/hour combined with the mono LCD let you churn out prints quicker. The Jupiter is compatible with any 405nm UV resin.

Elegoo Jupiter Print Quality

The outstanding print quality is one of the Elegoo Jupiter’s biggest selling points. The high resolution LCD combined with precisely tuned UV lights results in super crisp details and excellent surface finish.

Many users mention the Jupiter produces the cleanest resin prints they’ve seen. Fine details like text and logos come out very legible. Curved and rounded surfaces are smooth with barely visible layer lines.

The anti-aliasing performance is also great, with no noticeable stairstepping on angles and slopes. Tall narrow objects like spires and sculptures print reliably without distortion or drooping.

Of course, the max print resolution also depends on the resin you use. Standard 405nm resins can achieve around 28 microns, while more specialized nano-resins can reach 18-20 microns.

Overall, the Jupiter’s print quality competes with industrial printers costing thousands. It’s fantastic for tabletop gaming miniatures, collectibles, jewelry, DIY projects, and prototype parts that require ultra fine details.

Elegoo Jupiter vs Phrozen Mega 8K

The Phrozen Mega 8K is the Jupiter’s biggest rival, also offering 8K mono LCD resolution for crisp prints. How do the two printers compare?

The Phrozen has a slightly larger 8.9 inch LCD compared to the Jupiter’s 6.08 inch screen. This equates to a higher 47 micron XY resolution vs the Jupiter’s 35 microns. However, both can achieve similar layer resolution around 28 microns.

The Mega 8K also has a larger build volume at 7.55 x 4.72 x 8.26 inches. Its max print speed is 100mm/hr, faster than the Jupiter.

However, the Jupiter has some advantages too. It has a more powerful UV light source equal to 240 LEDs, resulting in faster curing times. Its industrial aluminum body is sturdier than the Mega 8K’s plastic frame. The Jupiter also comes fully assembled while the Mega 8K requires some setup.

Finally, the Jupiter is $100 cheaper than the Mega 8K while offering similar if not better print quality. So the Jupiter delivers excellent value for the premium 8K resolution.

Elegoo Jupiter vs Anycubic Photon Mono X

The Anycubic Photon Mono X is a popular mid-range mono LCD printer. But how does it stack up to the Elegoo Jupiter?

The Photon Mono X has a smaller 6.08 inch LCD like the Jupiter but lower 2560 x 1620 resolution. Its max resolution is 51 microns, much lower than the Jupiter’s 28 microns. The build volume is also smaller at 7.55 x 4.72 x 7.68 inches.

However, the Photon Mono X does have a higher 120mm/hr print speed. And at only $499, it’s significantly cheaper than the $699 Jupiter.

The Jupiter clearly wins on print resolution and quality. But the Photon Mono X is a solid budget choice if you don’t require the Jupiter’s super high detail. It can still produce good quality prints for the price.

Elegoo Jupiter Software

The Jupiter includes Elegoo’s updated Jupiter series slicer software for preparing and slicing prints. It includes useful features like auto supports, customizable supports, and network printing.

The software works on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. It’s easy to install and set up. The interface is intuitive, making it simple to import STL models, orient them on the bed, auto-generate supports, and slice into PNG layers.

The slicer also estimates print time and resin usage for your models. Once sliced, you can save the project for printing later or send it directly to the printer over USB, WiFi, or Ethernet.

The Jupiter printer has a small monochrome OLED screen and control knob for navigating menus. You can select options like moving the build plate and running print files copied to the USB drive.

The printer is compatible with third party slicers like Chitubox and Lychee as well. But Elegoo’s own slicer works very reliably for the Jupiter.

Elegoo Jupiter Resins

The Jupiter uses standard 405nm UV resin. Any resin formulated for LCD 3D printers will work well.

Elegoo makes its own ABS-like and water-washable resins specifically tuned for their printers. These provide great print quality and value.

You can also use specialty resins like Siraya Tech Blu or Tenacious for flexible and engineering prints. Nano-resins from Phrozen, Anycubic, and others will allow the Jupiter to reach its max resolution. Avoid highly opaque resins, as the Jupiter works best with translucent photopolymers.

For outstanding prints, match a transparent nano-resin like Siraya Fast Gray with the Jupiter’s crisp LCD. Take the time to dial in your exposure settings, and you’ll be amazed at the detail it can produce.

Elegoo Jupiter Printer Setup

Setting up the Elegoo Jupiter is quick and easy. It comes fully assembled, so you don’t have to build the frame.

Just follow these steps:

1. Unpack the printer from the box and remove the foam packaging.
2. Locate the accessories like the plastic scraper, metal spatula, and extra FEP film.
3. Remove the build plate and resin vat to access the LED screen below. Peel off the orange protective film covering the LCD.
4. Level the build plate by putting a sheet of paper between the plate and screen. Tighten the hex screws underneath until the plate just drags the paper.
5. Fill the vat with resin and re-install it. Take care not to spill any resin on the screen.
6. Finally, plug in the power cord and turn on the printer. The OLED screen will initialize and show the main menu.
7. You can now install the Jupiter software on your computer and start printing! Be sure to run some exposure test prints with your resin to dial in the perfect settings.

The Jupiter comes pre-calibrated from Elegoo, so you shouldn’t have to adjust the build plate level or screen uniformity out of the box. But it’s still a good idea to double check the calibration before long print jobs.

Elegoo Jupiter Accessories

The Jupiter ships with the basic tools you need: plastic scraper, metal spatula, hex keys, and nitrile gloves. But here are some recommended accessories for better print results:

• Extra FEP film sheets – The FEP film will eventually wear out and need replacing. Having backups ensures you can quickly change it out with no downtime.
• Resin filters – Use air filters in the room to reduce fumes and particles released during printing and post-curing.
• Wash and cure station – An ultrasonic wash and UV cure station makes the post-processing workflow much easier. The Elegoo Mercury series are great options.
• Resin vat – A backup vat allows you to quickly swap resins without having to fully clean out the tank each time.
• Hot air gun – A hot air gun helps evaporate any residual liquid resin left on prints.
• Dehumidifier – Keeping the ambient humidity low reduces chance of print failures. Dehumidifiers prevent atmospheric moisture from interfering with prints.
• Loupe or magnifier – An inspection loupe lets you examine print quality up close to spot any defects.
• Funnels & bottles – Use funnels and bottles to easily transfer resin between containers without spilling.
• Masks & gloves – Protect yourself from fumes and skin contact when handling resin. Nitrile gloves and activated carbon masks are essential PPE.

Investing in the right tools and accessories makes working with resin much more convenient.

Elegoo Jupiter Review Verdict

In the growing market of high-resolution resin 3D printers, the Elegoo Jupiter stands out with its exceptional print quality and value. The crisp prints rival significantly more expensive professional machines. While not as fast as some competitors, the outstanding detail and accuracy make the Jupiter ideal for detailed miniatures and prototypes.

It’s a significant upgrade over the older Saturn with higher resolution, faster speeds, and a bigger build area. Yet it keeps a very reasonable price under $700. Quick and easy setup combined with Elegoo’s user-friendly slicing software makes the Jupiter accessible for beginners too.

If your projects demand extremely high fidelity and precision, the Elegoo Jupiter delivers impressive results for the price. For hobbyists, designers, and engineers needing pro-grade resin printing without the premium cost, the Jupiter hits a sweet spot.