INTRODUCTION

    Although it's certainly not for everyone 3D printing has come a long way since its introduction roughly 4 decades ago and so today 3D printers are not only smaller in size, faster and easier to use but they also feature larger printing surfaces and can print much higher detail models. Now as many of you are certainly aware the market currently is divided between FDM (fused deposition modeling) and SLA/MSLA (stereolithography/masked stereolithography) 3D printers and since both technologies have different target audiences it all comes down to what you want to print. For example, if you are looking to print large, durable and simple models (low-res) without spending much in the process FDM is the way to go (thermoplastics) whereas for faster printing and more accurate and complex models (hi-res) SLA (photopolymers) is the clear winner. ELEGOO has a rich line of both FDM and SLA 3D printers and today I'll be testing one of their latest models the Mars 4 Ultra SLA 3D Printer.

    Founded in Shenzhen by a dynamic team from top universities in 2015, ELEGOO is a leading tech company specializing in 3D printers and STEM kits. The company has sold millions of products to over 70 countries and regions, and its desktop 3D printers are known for precision, speed, and affordability. In 2023, the company's total sales revenue has exceeded USD 200 million with over 600 employees and nearly 25,000 square meters of office and manufacturing area. With a focus on programming and 3D printing technology, ELEGOO provides unique and smart creation spaces for diverse consumers to enhance personalized experiences.

    The Mars 4 Ultra is a compact MSLA (masked stereolithography) 3D printer that uses UV lighting to selectively cure the resin layer by layer until completion of the desired model. This specific model by ELEGOO comes ready with a 7-inch mono LCD screen featuring 9k (8520x4320 pixels) resolution with 18 microns precision and 1411PPI pixel density. Thanks to its COB light source and Fresnel lens design combination (92% light uniformity) the Mars 4 Ultra can reach speeds of up to 150mm/h (high speed resin) while its 4-Point Leveling System with the laser carved platform (153.36x77.76x165mm build volume) and the Z-axis linear guide rail ensure smooth and accurate models. As expected, the Mars 4 Ultra also features a 4-inch high-definition IPS touch screen, removable resin vat (400ml), 9H hardened tempered glass over the 7-inch mono LCD screen, two USB 2.0 ports (one is for use with the bundled air purifier v2.0), Wi-Fi 2.4G/5G connectivity (antenna included) and height adjustable feet. So, although compact the Mars 4 Ultra looks great on paper so let's check and see if that's really the case.