14 DAY TRIAL // Some time ago, Demetris Zavorotnitsienko posted a crowdfunding campaign meant to fund an Open Source Remote Control System for (theoretically) everything. Part of the process consisted in building a few 3D printers that would help build the components.
What happened was that the man learned that there was a good enough market for the 3D printer itself, the so-called Ilios Photon.
As the name implies, the printer uses Digital Light Processing to cure resin by bombarding it with ultraviolet light. The technology is also known by another name, that of SLA, or stereolithography.
Ilios Photon differs from most other 3D printers, consumer ones at least, in that it is much more rugged and robust-looking, not to mention modular.
Granted, calling it “modular” might be something of a stretch, but Zavorotnitsienko specifically states that it can be modified with a simple change to how the parts are arranged.
The Ilios Photon 3D printer
There are multiple assets that the printer has going for it, like dual side light mechanisms (make it durable and stable during print cycles), a series of UV enhanced aluminum (to redirect the DLP light under the build vat), and a single projector mounted on the back.
The spindles have a ball bearing construction and are connected to both sides of the machine, minimizing inconsistency during a printing process.
Furthermore, the vat can slide out, thanks to the specifically designed frame, which can be removed by releasing the mounting clamps. The plate itself uses a mesh surface, so that models adhere to it on their own.
The minimum layer thickness is the real kicker though: 12 microns, with 6 also possible. There won't be any evidence of “layers” here.
The build height isn't anything out of the ordinary, at 200 mm / 7.87 inches, but then again the whole printer isn't that huge itself, at 280 x 50 x 555 mm / 11.33 x 1.96 x 21.85 inches.
Availability and pricing
The Illios Photon 3D printer has a price of $3,339 / €2,925 and is up for sale through the official website. It ships already assembled and tested, but you'll have to provide the PC and some DLP control software yourself. Not too hard to find online.