Big Screen

The Jupiter will come with a 12.8-inch 6K LCD screen at its core, making this a pretty chunky printer from the get-go. According to Elegoo, this will equate to a 278 x 156 mm build area (topped off with 300 mm printable Z-axis height), giving users the ability to print large models, multiple small models, or anything in between. So much for the inch-part of the screen, the 6K part of it mathemagically translates to a pixel density of 5448 x 3064, which in turn, will give you an XY accuracy of 51 microns. In other words, pretty much the same as what you get on the Elegoo Saturn (and the likes), which has an 8.9-inch 4K screen and a comparably small 192 x 120 x 200 mm volume.

For comparison

Best Large Resin 3D Printers: Our 3 Best Picks

In its press release, Elegoo is stating this granularity will “perfectly meet your expectations for a super-sized LCD 3D printer”. Maybe someone should tell the firm about Phrozen’s new release, the Mega 8K.

Resin Tank

Well, that’s certainly a new one in the budget sector. When we think of resin tank, the professional Formlabs Form 3 series normally springs to mind, but it looks like Elegoo managed to pull out a pro feature onto this somewhat-budget machine (more on the price below). According to Elegoo, the Saturn has a built-in automatic resin tank feeding system that will top of your vat should it be needed during the length of your print. How exactly this will be implemented remains to be seen, but as the Jupiter does have a pretty large build volume, this should prove to be a handy feature. No more running out of resin mid-print.

What would really top it off is if that vat sensor provides you with fill level info during and pre-print. It does come with a large 5-inch touchscreen, so if it is displayed, you will presumably have a clear view to look and poke at it.

New Light Source & More

It looks like Elegoo didn’t cop out on choosing a new and powerful light source to provide uniform curing across the screen. Like the recently released Mars 3, Elegoo equipped the Jupiter with a Chip-on-Board (COB) LED light source. This fairly new technological advancement packs groups of LEDs together in clusters directly on the circuit board. As a result, COB lighting has a high lumen output and other benefits that play directly in the hands of resin 3D printing, such as a long lamp life and heat efficiency. We are ever so slightly optimistic that this might bring down the turbine-like noise level these big resin printers typically have due to the constantly needed interior cooling. Only testing will tell, though, but fingers crossed.

The printer also promises to bring an improved FEP sheet, a built-in air purifier, and a sturdy metal frame. Once more info surfaces, we will take a closer look at all the specs and features of the new Elegoo Jupiter.

Coming to Kickstarter

We are not big fans of established and successful 3D printing companies utilizing crowdfunding platforms to launch their products, but that’s what Elegoo is doing with the Jupiter. Kickstarter was intended for small, up-and-coming businesses to get their ideas pitched and backed; now we see more 3D printing heavy lifters take advantage of crowdfunding, with Creality’s Ender CR-6 SE or Anycubic’s new budget DLP resin printer, the Photon Ultra, being just two examples.

Critics quite rightly raise the argument that these established companies have the resources to launch their products without needing to shift liability onto consumers. Keep in mind, Kickstarter offers no guarantees you’ll ever receive a product. Should anything go south, even if the backing goal was reached, you could be out of pocket and out of printer, in this case. On the other hand, though, a Kickstarter launch usually allows enthusiasts, believers, and anybody who wants to bag a bargain to get a new product at a discounted price.

According to Elegoo, the Jupiter will make a showing on Kickstarter in early September, although there is no official launch date yet. In that case, it is always best to monitor the company’s socials for further information.

Price

Price-wise, the Jupiter is stated to cost $1,300 once it hits the shelf of your favorite vendor. Should you decide to crowdfund the Jupiter, Elegoo is offering some juicy discounts, such as the Early Bird Special for just $600, the Special Package for $740 including the Jupiter and an additional resin tank, and even more bundles. If you are confident in Elegoo pulling through, which we think is likely given its status in the market, you can save quite some racks by backing it.

Given the info we have on the Jupiter so far, the list price of $1,300 seems to be a reasonable but by no means a cheap price, especially if you compare it to the above mentioned Mega 8K, which offers an even bigger build volume and finer resolution and is stated to cost “only” ~$250 more. In other words, if the Jupiter seems to be right up your alley, backing Elegoo and trying to snatch up an early bird special might be the way to go here. On a normal day, $600 will get you a Saturn (or comparably sized machines) and hopefully a bit of change. You are backing the unknown, but Elegoo has form when it comes to 3D printers. We only hope that there isn’t another Saturn-like availability drama still to evolve.

So, what do you make of this new printer and Elegoo’s decision to go to Kickstarter with it? Let us know in the comments below.

(Lead image source: Elegoo)