Review: Epax X1 UV LCD Resin 3D Printer

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Epax X1 Full Review – The Best Budget UV LCD Resin 3D Printer?

Epax X1

Dylan Miller @io3dprint

Easy to Setup
Easy to Use
Print Quality
Value For Money
Features

Summary

The Epax X1 is the best quality UV LCD 3D printer currently available in this price range. Where the Anycubic Photon brought resin printing to the masses, the Epax X1 has improved upon it to produce a well-engineered 3D printer capable of the most detailed and delicate prints.

4.6
Epax X1 UV LCD Resin 3D Printer
If you're looking for a resin 3D printer in this price range, there is nothing to beat the Epax X1

The Epax X1 is a budget-friendly resin UV LCD 3D printer that brings high-resolution resin printing into the budget price range. Could the Epax X1 be a worthy competitor to the popular Anycubic Photon? 

In this review, I’ll give you all the information you need about the Epax X1 including some of its key features and see if it lives up to the hype it’s generating in the 3D printing community. 

Features 

For a budget-friendly unit, the Epax X1 comes packed with an array of higher-end features. Here are some of them:

  • The unit has a 3.5-inch color touch screen for all the controls. The screen also looks less cluttered so it’s easy to find all the settings you are looking for.
  • The Z-axis has been completely redesigned to offer more stability. The carriage features reinforced double steel rods for additional strength. The bearings are also made using durable steel to easily fight off the torments of daily wear and tear.
  • The Epax X1 also comes ready to print straight out of the box. This is a big plus for first-time users. The only thing you need is to purchase resin to get started.
  • The unit also features a 50 W LED Matrix light source. However, you may need to use it at 40W to protect the LCD mask screen from potential damage.
  • The manufacturer has also included a stunning 2K 2560 x 1440 pixel LCD screen that masks the UV light source. This delivers an X/Y resolution of 47 microns, one of the best among budget 3D printers in the market.
  • The Epax X1 has anti-aliasing support as well. This is designed to enhance overall print quality. The feature is also already installed and enabled in the printer firmware.
  • The printer has a pre-installed non-FEP film, which is better compared to traditional FEP film. It allows easier detachment but in case you have a sentimental attachment to traditional FEP films, the Epax X1 will still accommodate it.
  • The unit is designed to work with a wide selection of resins. This gives you enough flexibility and may help you save on resin costs in the future.

Pros

Cons

Specifications 

  • Build Volume: 115 mm x 65 mm x 155 mm.
  • Print layer time: 6 – 7 seconds 
  • X Resolution: 0.047 mm
  • Z Resolution: 0.01 mm
  • Control: 3.5 inch LCD touch screen 
  • Connection: SD card
  • Materials: Resin
  • Printer Weight: Roughly 10 KGs

Unboxing 

The Epax X1 comes with simple packaging. The printer can also print right out of the box as long as you have some resin available. The manufacturer has also added a lot of accessories as part of the deal. Keep your eyes open for one non-FEP film, two resin filters, and one power adapter.

The box also includes one USB stick that comes loaded with a PDF set up manual, the config file for the ChiTuBox software, and a sample print file.

The only downside is that Epax does not include any resin. From our research, we believe that the main reason for this is to facilitate easy shipping. But even then, it’s quite disappointing for most people.

Set-up

The Epax X1 is probably one of the easiest resin 3D printers to set up for several reasons. First, the unit comes with a pre-leveled print platform. This means that you don’t have to spend a lot of time leveling the bed. Not only that but because the Z-axis and build platform are both so well designed, there is little chance of any play or movement in them, so unlike other LCD printers you won’t have to spend time re-calibrating after every print.

Secondly, the Epax X1 is fully assembled when it ships. After filling with resin, it can start printing immediately it arrives. Of course, you will have to read through the manuals provided before starting but it takes a few minutes to get this unit up and running. 

We also noted that loading the resin is very easy. However, for someone doing this for the first time, you may want to take extra care to avoid making a mess. Although newer printers like the Epax X1 feature anti-leak solutions, printing with resin requires caution just to make sure you don’t end up with a messy desk.

In Use

The Epax X1 is very easy to use. As an entry-level unit, it is designed to be simple for the average resin 3D printing newbie. First, the large 3.5-inch LCD touch screen display can be easily accessed from either side of the printer. This ensures that you have all the controls on your fingertips.

The unit uses ChiTuBox software. Its config file is loaded into a USB stick provided by the manufacturer. But don’t worry, installing and setup take minutes. 

Epax has also done very well to make print detachment easier thanks to its non-FEP film. The film does not also stick to the screen, making sure you get clean and less messy prints. I also found that the Epax X1 has an anti-leak feature; a solution which is a big plus for a resin printer.

One of the biggest challenges though with the Epax X1 is the noise level. It’s definitely not a quiet printer but this is not necessarily a stain in its reputation. A lot of 3D printers at this price point make a similar amount of noise. 

Print Quality 

The Epax X1 offers exceptional print quality with very low layer heights. Featuring an X resolution of 0.047 mm and a Z resolution of 0.01 mm, the unit does well to provide better precision printing compared to other printers in its category. The well-designed and engineered z-axis mechanisms ensure there’s no wobble while a rock-solid build plate ensures there’s no drift in calibration.

Besides, resin printing is known to offer better, more detailed prints. The Epax X1 simply combines a lower layer height and the intricate detailing of resin printing with well-engineered hardware that practically guarantees accurate, high-quality prints.

Limitations 

The Epax X1 has a few limitations even though it boasts a wide array of features. First of all, even though the unit comes with a 50 W LED light source, most of the time you will have to use it at 40 W to protect the LCD screen mask from damage. In addition to this, the manufacturer does not include resin in the package. If you don’t remember to purchase a bottle of resin separately when buying the printer, you may have to wait a few days before you start printing.

It is also important to note that the Epax X1 is an entry-level 3D printer. It is designed to create simple objects for personal everyday use. For people who have more advanced design needs including industrial prototyping, then going for something higher-end than the Epax X1 is highly recommended. 

Customer Service 

The manufacturer of the Epax X1 says they have created a strong customer support system designed to help buyers make the most out of this printer. According to their website, all customer emails are replied to within a few hours. The manufacturer also notes that customer support is a huge priority in the way it operates. This information can also be corroborated with customer reviews we looked at for this review. It seems most people who had a query regarding the printer were able to get timely responses.

Verdict 

The Epax X1 is by far one of the best budget resin DLP 3D printers. It comes packed with a wide range of great features that give it better print quality, versatility, and ease of use. The unit has received some upgrades on its design to create a stable and sturdy printer that can be used for everyday tasks. Despite this, the Epax X1 is not perfect. First, it’s a noisy 3D printer. It would have been nice also to have the manufacturer sell the resin filament as part of the package. Nonetheless, if you are a budget buyer looking for a pocket-friendly resin 3D printer that works, then the Epax X1 is highly recommended.

The Epax X1 is definitely one of the best entry-level DLP resin 3D printers currently available.  

-Dylan

FAQs

Can you upgrade the UV light?

Yes, there is an upgrade kit available that improves dimensional accuracy. To what degree I’m not sure.

What resin should I use? Can I use DLP resin?

You must use 405nm LCD resin. Epax recommends eSun LCD Resin. Users have reported success with Elegoo LCD resin too.

What Are the Ideal Conditions to Operate My Epax X1 Printer?

The Epax X1 printer is designed to work in pretty much any indoor conditions but extremes of temperature may not be good for it. It is recommended that you use the printer under normal room temperature to avoid any issues. The resin, on the other hand, should be fine even in relatively hotter climates.

What Should I Print Using My Epax X1 3D Printer?

The Epax X1 is an entry-level 3D printer designed to print objects for everyday use. Its specialty is small detailed models, like figurines and gaming miniatures.

How Does the Epax X1 Compare with Anycubic Photon Printers?

The Epax X1 is relatively more expensive compared to Anycubic Photon printers but it’s definitely worth it. First, the Epax X1 creates better more detailed prints than the Photon. It is also relatively stable and sturdier in design. The Epax X1 is also faster than the photon and comes already pre-leveled. This helps you to quickly set up and start printing as soon as possible.

Last update on 2024-03-27 at 03:31

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