Marketed by the manufacturer as an “LCD SLA printer,” this technically inaccurate term is likely to ruffle the feathers of some stern makers. The Phrozen Transform does not employ SLA technology, a well-documented 3D printing technique that utilizes a high-powered laser to solidify the resin instead of projected light.

Nevertheless, if you’re able to get past the questionable marketing ploy, the Transform presents some intriguing features that could usher in a new era for resin 3D printing.

As we mentioned in the introduction, the hallmark feature of the Phrozen Transform is its swappable 13.3” panel & dual 5.5″ panels. This allows users to print on two different plates simultaneously, effectively cutting print times in half.

While most LCD and DLP 3D printers are confined to a single-size panel, the ability to switch between these two configurations makes the Phrozen Transform vastly different from other resin 3D printers we’ve seen on the budget market. Moreover, the manufacturer claims that the printer is equipped with a “Fast LCD Adaptor”, allowing the panels to be swapped out in just 30 seconds.

Users will be able to use a larger build volume with the 13.3″ panel, or double output by utilizing the dual panel design, which is ideal for making fine detailed models like jewelry.

The Phrozen Transform also has a 40cm Z-axis that makes it possible to print towering objects that are taller than a two-liter bottle of soda. This is also made possible by the sizable 13.3″ panel, a major increase over the market standard for LCD 3D printers, which the manufacturer claims is typically around 8.9″. All in all, the Transform will offer a 29.2 x 16.5 x 40 cm³ build volume.

Outside of the dual panel capabilities and impressive print area, the Phrozen Transform is also designed to be highly efficient and accurate. In regard to print quality, Phrozen claims that its new machine provides an XY resolution of 76μm with the 13.3″ panel and an even better 47μm resolution when utilizing the dual panel setup.

Stability and durability are also key aspects of the Phrozen Transform. The Z-axis is equipped with a thick aluminum alloy structure and dual linear rails with ball screws, something you don’t typically find on a budget-priced resin 3D printer. The dual linear rails with ball screws is said to virtually eliminate any wobbling, while also allowing users to easily adjust the printer’s speed.

Another intriguing attribute of the Phrozen Transform is the ParaLED Optical Engine that is used to reduce the emission angle of the light source to be parallel. Manufactured exclusively by the Phrozen team, this mechanism is intended to increase the efficiency of light penetration through the panel.

“Here’s how the ParaLED Optical Engine works: the system’s LED array is the same size as the LCD panel. The light-delivery path is corrected to contract the emission angle of the LEDs, producing a near-parallel light source to enhance LED penetration through the LCD panel. This gives a uniform exposure for 95% of the surface area,” the Phrozen team writes on its Kickstarter campaign page. 

Other features integrated into the Phrozen Transform includes WiFi connectivity and compatibility with third-party resins. The manufacturer also offers its own line of 3D printing resins, including:

• Phrozen Rock-Black Stiff Resin – provides a high surface hardness
• Phrozen Wax Pro Castable Resin – a hard material that is engineered for highly detailed objects
• Phrozen Nylon-Green Tough Resin – high toughness
• Phrozen Semi-Clear Resin – high transparency
• Phrozen TR250 – heat-resistant, low shrinkage and high hardness.

It’s important to note that, as of now, the Phrozen Transform is still in the product development stage and has just crossed over the Kickstarter finish line. As you might be aware of, not all crowdfunding projects end up being actualized after the money rolls in, so there is some reason to hold reservations about this 3D printer.

However, the Taiwanese manufacturer has already brought a number of successful 3D printers to the market, giving us a fair amount of faith that the Transform will soon be available to the masses.