The Phrozen Cure Luna bridges a gap in the 3D printing market. If you’re looking to capitalize on the benefits of large-format resin 3D printers and save time, it’s a great post-processing machine.
- 360° rotating platform
- Three-directional UV LED lights
- Works with all print sizes
- Brand: Phrozen
- Color: Red | Black
- Weight: 11 lbs (5kg)
- Safety features
- Largest curing machine aimed at consumers
- Time-saving
- Ease of use
- Only a curing machine, no washing
- Expensive for beginners
Phrozen Cure Luna
other
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With an ever-growing list of large-format 3D resin printers, post-processing machines need to size-up too. The Phrozen Cure Luna is the largest consumer-priced curing station on the market. The question is if you’re after an even quicker UV post-cure, is the Cure Luna worth your investment?
Phrozen Cure Luna Design
As a co-release alongside the Sonic Mighty 4K, the Phrozen Cure Luna shares a very similar aesthetic. With an all-around size of 11 x 11 x 14.75 inches (28 x 28 x 40 cm), the Luna falls just an inch or two shy of the Mighty’s height.
Unlike previous Phrozen Cure iterations, the Cure Luna has ditched the fully enclosed cabinet-style design. Instead, the Cure Luna utilizes the more budget-friendly UV cover. Other curing options such as Elegoo’s Mercury series have adapted similarly, so Phrozen’s choice here doesn’t come as a surprise.
For those already used to the Phrozen Cure line, the Cure Luna uses their standard front panel controls. As Phrozen products opt for user-friendliness, each button comes color-coded by functionality.
Phrozen Cure Luna Specifications and Safety
- Machine Size: 11 x 11 x 14.75 inches (28 x 28 x 40 cm)
- Weight: 11lbs (5 kg)
- Inside Capacity: 8.66 x 8.66 x 10.63 inches (22 x 22 x 27 cm)
- UV Light Intensity: 405 nm
- Time Range: 1-120 min
- Power Input: 100-240V, 50-60Hz
When looking at the Phrozen Cure Luna, it’s all about its size and chamber capacity.
The UV LED light output of 405 nanometers provides for a smooth, even cure. However, they also serve as your largest safety risk. Thankfully, Phrozen included some safety measures.
To prevent any accidental activation, all four corners of the UV cover must be securely fitted or the Cure Luna won’t start. Similarly, if you’ve removed your print and have set the lid to the side, you can’t turn off the unit via the power button either. If you attempt to hold it down, you’ll just get a warning beep indicating that it can’t be completed.
Using the Largest Consumer Curing Machine
In practice, using the Cure Luna boils down to placing your print, setting a timer, and coming back to your evenly cured prints.
The pink power button functions simply. You have to hold it down to power the Cure Luna on or off. If you press it once, you can either start or pause the curing process if the lid is in place.
With this said, there are a few items to note about the control panel’s timer. The S button works in presets. By tapping it you can jump between 5, 10, and 20-minute intervals.
The M button allows you to choose your time manually. It starts at one minute by default, but you can raise it to 120 minutes. The yellow directional arrow at a press will go up or down by one; if you continue to press and hold it’ll go up in intervals of ten.
During operation, you’ll hear some motorized noise as the rotating platform operates. While it’s easier to notice if you’re near, its audibility drops off significantly at a distance.
Once the timer drops below a minute, it’ll swap to a countdown in seconds. Upon completion, the Cure Luna will alert you with a loud chime. If the Luna is left idle, it’ll turn off after a short period to save power.
Is the Phrozen Cure Luna All You Need?
When I received the Cure Luna for testing, it arrived during a period of weeks where sunlight was a commodity. Overcast skies and near-constant rain made a natural cure by sunlight unrealistic. In these conditions, the Cure Luna kept a steady stream of prints going.
As for the Cure Luna’s promise of evenly cured models regardless of size, it delivers. After properly cleaning and prepping prints before placing them in the Cure Luna’s chambers, it provided all-around even cures on all my models. If some resin does drip on the rotating platform (i.e. from a hollowed-out portion of the model), IPA and paper towels do a good job removing it.
The Pros and Cons of Alternative Post-Processing Machines
While easy to use, the nuance here is the overall value of the Luna depends on what size you’re printing at and how much you’re printing. After removing and cleaning a full build plate of prints, the ability to cure them all in one go kept the print schedule flexible. Similarly, having the option to place a large vertical print and cure it in minutes proved an immense time saver.
For those interested in printing the models used for testing, you can view Bestiarum Miniatures’ work at their Patreon or MyMiniFactory.
If you’re printing smaller and fewer prints, you have more options. Two-in-one washing and curing machines cover a range of common resin 3D printer models on the market. Many of these work in cross-platform capacity to some degree, and they can reduce your exposure to the resin.
For those that want to control your cleaning process more, there are other cure-only machines on the market. However, there’s a trade-down in size unless you’re willing to pay for a pricier alternative such as the Phrozen Cure XL.
Still, your ultimate decision will boil down to personal workflow choice. If you’re thinking about working bigger, the Cure Luna will save you from having to size-up soon.
Pricing and Repairability
The Phrozen Cure Luna comes in at $250. Bear in mind that you’ll have to pay tariff and shipping costs on top of this. However, Phrozen’s original Phrozen Cure sells for $305 when not on sale, and its inner capacity is significantly smaller.
While the Cure Luna offers more size at a cheaper cost than its consumer-based predecessor, your print sizes need to be worth the cost. If your prints are small enough, you can potentially create a DIY cure box or use a UV curing lamp over your prints. The Cure Luna is a convenient option if it fits your budget and printing process.
Beyond the price, the Phrozen store doesn’t specialize in parts for their Cure line. Unlike standard UV lamps, UV LEDs have a longer operating life of somewhere above 40,000 operating hours. As such, these are designed with several years of life in mind.
While it’s unlikely the timer or rotating platform would give you issues, the Cure Luna is covered under Phrozen’s one-year warranty.
Should You Buy the Phrozen Cure Luna?
If you’re ready to invest in large-format resin printing, the Phrozen Cure Luna is a great post-processing accessory. As curing units aren’t bound to a particular printer, you can cure all of your models regardless of their size and origin. Still, the price may leave some wanting to size-down or try a DIY option.
If you’re dabbling in 3D printing, you’ll want to explore options that suit your print frequency. However, if you’re after convenience and want to maximize your time efficiency, consider the Phrozen Cure Luna.