Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K vs Formlabs Form 3B+
Technical comparison · Resin 3D printing
Choose Product A if you are looking for a resin printer with monochrome LCD technology, a 19 µm XY resolution, a 220 mm Z-volume, and a price of €399. Choose Product B if you prefer laser technology optimized for medical resins via PreForm software and fleet management via Dashboard, at a price of €4849.
| Parameter |
Saturn 4 Ultra 16K
Elegoo
F2 · Intermediate
|
Form 3B+
Formlabs
F2 · Intermediate
|
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2024 | 2022 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | 399 € | 4849 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 32.74 × 32.92 × 54.8 cm | 40.5 × 37.5 × 53 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 14.5 kg | 17.5 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 218.88 × 122.88 mm | 145 × 145 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | 220 mm | 185 mm |
| Power (W) | 144 W | 220 W |
| Voltage (V) | 110 V | 240 V |
| Maximum speed | 150 mm/min | — |
| Declared precision | 19 μm | 25 μm |
| Category specs | ||
| Build area XY (short side) (mm) | 122.88 mm | 145 mm |
| XY resolution (µm) | 19 µm | 25 µm |
| Light source | Mono LCD | Laser |
| Print speed (mm/h) | 150 mm/h | — |
| Tilt / peel system | Tilt | — |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The system natively supports ChituBox proprietary slicing software, widely adopted in the resin printing industry, ensuring smooth management of supports and exposure parameters. The machine integrates Wi-Fi connection modules that enable remote management and workflow monitoring. Compatibility with open formats ensures operational flexibility with leading third-party programs, allowing users to optimize printing profiles based on the specific resins used, whether standard or engineering-grade. | Printer control is managed by PreForm, Formlabs' proprietary print preparation software. This application automatically optimizes model orientation, support generation, and layout arrangement, integrating specific algorithms to maximize the yield of medical resins. The system supports standard file formats such as STL and OBJ. Through the Dashboard cloud platform, users can monitor print status, track material consumption, and manage job queues remotely for entire fleets of machines. Although network connectivity (Wi-Fi and Ethernet) facilitates advanced management, the printer retains the ability to operate in local mode via data transfer via USB. |
The differences that matter
- Light source technology and resolution: Product A utilizes a monochrome LCD with a 19 µm XY resolution, while Product B relies on a Laser source with a 25 µm XY resolution.
- Build volume and dimensions: Product A offers a workspace of 218.88 × 122.88 × 220 mm, providing more height than Product B (145 × 145 × 185 mm), which conversely offers a wider XY short side (145 mm vs 122.88 mm). Product A is also lighter (14.5 kg vs 17.5 kg).
- Purchase cost: The economic positioning differs significantly, with Product A priced at €399 compared to €4849 for Product B.
- Mechanics and speed: Product A specifies a print speed of 150 mm/h (maximum speed 150 mm/min) and a tilt system, parameters that are not declared for Product B.
- Software and fleet management: Product A supports open formats and ChituBox with Wi-Fi remote management. Product B utilizes PreForm with algorithms for medical resins and includes the Dashboard cloud platform for material consumption tracking and multi-machine fleet management, alongside Ethernet and USB support.
Which one to choose
Choose Saturn 4 Ultra 16K if…
Product A is suitable for users requiring high detail definition due to its 19 µm XY resolution and an extended workspace in height (220 mm Z-axis). With a stated maximum speed of 150 mm/min supported by a tilt system, it stands as an accessible solution (€399) operating via open formats and the ChituBox ecosystem.
Choose Form 3B+ if…
Product B is targeted at professional environments that require a laser light source and structured workflows for medical resins using the proprietary PreForm software. It offers a wider build plate on the short side (145 mm) at a price of €4849, integrating remote monitoring tools via the Dashboard cloud and Ethernet or local USB connectivity options.
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