EPAX X156 3D Printer Review: Use Cases, Specs, and more

Hello and welcome to Top 3D Blog - a place for additive manufacturing enthusiasts to meet quality content on the ever-evolving world of 3D printing. Today, we are going to talk about professional large-format resin 3D printing presented by EPAX X156 — a high-resolution LCD 3D printer that offers extra-large build volume and a plethora of quality of life features that ensure industrial-grade outputs and consistent operation. Aside from providing an overview of the device’s functionality, we will be highlighting its pros and cons, and show some of the models printed with it. Let’s get started.

About EPAX 3D

EPAX 3D is a relatively young US-based additive manufacturing company that was founded in November 2016 by William Dai. Located in North Carolina, the team specializes in the production of high-quality LCD 3D printers, printable resins, and spare parts for them. The lineup offers all kinds of neatly designed resin 3D printers including entry-level machines with a small footprint, medium-sized devices, and large-format printers such as the EPAX X156. 

EPAX X156 Overview

The EPAX X156 (on the right) compared with the Anycubic Photon S

The EPAX X156 is an incredibly powerful LCD 3D printer that lets you build extra-large models and offers a build volume of 345 x 194mm x 400mm (13.6 x 7.6 x 15.7 in). Such a build area is perfect for professional applications that require non-stop batch production with millimeter-precision. The machine can also be used to print a single large model, which we recommend doing in separate parts to reduce total print time and save a whole lot of printing material (that would’ve been wasted on stronger supports) in the long run.

The printer has been equipped with a powerful 4K (15.6", 3840 x 2160) color LCD masking screen. Such high resolution lets you print astonishingly detailed models with an unbelievably smooth surface finish at the minimum layer height of just 10 microns, making it ideal for professional applications such as digital dentistry, jewelry, engineering, and more. Besides, it allows for faster layer curing times and increases the overall printing speed. Unlike monochrome LCD screens, their color counterparts cost significantly less and are more affordable to replace. The LCD screen is one of the most essential parts of any LCD 3D printer. In a nutshell, it ensures that the light source shines directly onto the build plate in a parallel fashion, minimizing pixel distortions and other related issues. 

Fully functional 3D printed prototype parts

There is also an option to order the EPAX X156 equipped with a smaller 4K (13.3", 3840 x 2160) monochrome screen that offers the same resolution and boasts a speed 4 times faster than the original, along with more than 2000 hours of service life, but features a slightly smaller build volume of 293 x165 x 400mm (11.5 x 6.5 x 15.7 in). In case you are unsure which setup would be the best choice for your particular application, please feel free to contact our team for quality advice and support. 

The EPAX X156 has been equipped with an incredibly spacious resin vat that can contain more than 2 liters of resin, allowing for hassle-free large-format 3D printing. Aside from being compatible with ordinary FEP film, the machine is recommended to be used with the EPAX’s proprietary Non-FEP (nFEP) film. It is a premium high-quality material made from a special Teflon blend, which is superior to standard films. Perfect for large-format resin 3D printing, nFEP offers excellent temperature (up to 220° C) and chemical resistance along with optimal air permeability that provides less suction force and ultimately results in more successful prints. 

The device features an authentic and stylish design which makes it a perfect addition for any office or workshop. It comes in a stylish black and white with a yellow transparent window that allows you to monitor your print jobs as they are built. Made of premium materials, the EPAX X156 is built like a tank. Its robust construction prevents any unwanted vibrations during printing and minimizes Z-wobble issues, resulting in a reliable and consistent operation. Besides, it offers a safe door hinge design that restricts access to the print chamber. 

The EPAX X156 is an accessible machine that offers USB and Ethernet connectivity. It can be controlled via PC or a built-in 3.5-inch color touchscreen, making for effortless standalone operation. The printer weighs 45 kg (100 lbs), therefore we advise to move and install it by at least two people. 

Specifications

• Technology: LCD
• Manufacturer: EPAX3D
• Manufacturer country: USA (HQ, support) / China (manufacturing location)
• Build Volume: 345 x 194 x 400mm (13.6 x 7.6 x 15.7 in) / 293 x165 x 400mm (11.5 x 6.5 x 15.7 in)
• Layer thickness from: 10 microns
• Operation: 3.5-inch color Touch Screen
• Resolution: 4K (13.3", 3840 x 2160) / 4K 
• Pixel precision: 90um / 76um
• Calibration: Factory-leveled
• Software: ChiTuBox
• Operating systems: Windows, MacOSX
• Connectivity: USB, Flash Drive, Ethernet
• Film: nFEP film (Non-FEP film) recommended
• Outer dimensions: 508 x 431 x 787 mm (20 x 17 x 31 in)
• Printable materials: 405nm UV resins
• Package weight: 45 kg (100 lbs)

What’s in the Box

Source: facebook.com

• EPAX X156 3D Printer
• Build plate
• Protective equipment
• Power cord
• Resin vat
• Spare nFEP film
• Resin filters
• Scraper
• Toolbox
• User manual

For some items, package content may change. In case of any questions, please get in touch.

How to Use the Printer

The printer is supplied in an assembled state with factory-calibrated parts, eliminating any play that could’ve been caused by improper self-assembly or leveling. It will be ready to print in just 10-20 minutes after unboxing since all that’s left to do is to install the resin vat and connect the device to the power source.

Considering the experience with the EPAX X156 and large-format resin 3D printing in particular, we would like to give you some advice on how to use the machine to its utmost potential to ensure a smooth printing experience right from the start.

Firstly, consider calculating the amount of resin that will be spent on supports when making tall and large models and add the sum to the total price, since quality printable resins are not cheap to come by. 

Secondly, avoid printing large models using white resins since you may encounter some warping due to the white color’s properties and the final result will look something like in the photo above (or even worse). Instead, use gray model resins and paint the model afterward. Check out the photo below that shows the same part from the image above printed with gray model resin. 

Last but not least, in case of printing a single large model, you might want to separate it into smaller parts to print faster and waste less material on supports, since larger models require stronger supports. Additionally, make sure to use nFEP film for a more reliable experience.

Slicing Software

Source: chitubox.com

The printer is recommended to be used with ChiTuBox for optimal performance. The software lets you rotate and edit your models, generate supports, and tinker with other print settings to fine-tune the machine. Besides, it features a user-friendly interface and is genuinely intuitive and easy to use.

Recommended ChiTuBox slicer settings for EPAX X156 4K Color

Use Cases

Check out these freshly printed prototype parts displayed in the image below. As you can see, the parts came out very accurate with an incredibly smooth surface finish.

The EPAX X156 shines when it’s employed in a non-stop batch production, allowing you to make dozens of required parts in a relatively short timespan.

To illustrate what large-format resin 3D printing looks like, there’s a picture of a model printed with the EPAX X156 compared with the Anycubic Photon. 

Finally, there’s a model of a female yogi that boasts its smooth surface finish along with an incredible level of detail.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Extra-large build volume
• Unbelievable precision and surface finish
• Safe and consistent
• Accessible
• Ready to print right out of the box

Cons:

• Small touchscreen
• The color LCD screens are indeed cheaper to replace, but their monochrome counterparts offer a prolonged service life

Bottom Line

The EPAX X156 is a large-format LCD 3D printer perfect for a variety of professional applications such as jewelry, digital dentistry, engineering, prototyping, batch production, and more. It offers a plethora of connectivity options and can print right out of the box, delivering high-quality outputs in a fast and consistent fashion.

You can purchase the EPAX X156 from Top 3D Shop. This incredible device comes with the manufacturer’s warranty. Our team will make sure to provide the best service possible, just like we always do.