this post was submitted on 27 May 2025

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Hands-On: EufyMake E1 UV Printer (hackaday.com)

submitted 3 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 28 points 3 days ago (2 children)

No. Just don't! You nerds, tinkerers, hackers, makers... listen to me: DO NOT BUY THIS.

I didn't think I'd have to read the words 'Consumer UV printer' ever. It's just a deranged concept. UV printers are the worst kind of machines there are. Imagine an inkjet printer but a thousand times worse, I'm not joking. I work with these, but professional/industrial ones, in professional printshops, and they are an absolute toothache for my customers (again, professionals that make a living with printers and similar equipment). The customers like me, because I'm the one solving them problems (even if the bill for the solutions is more often than not a few thousands) but I'm sure the salespeople look under their cars every morning.

This will only be a hole in your pocket, a piece of junk taking up space in your home, and even a hazard to your health or your kids' or pets'–UV ink is some nasty shit before curing, some of them make my hands itch even trough the nitrile gloves, and you have to handle and dispose of the waste ink properly ie hiring some waste management service.

It's true that you can make beautiful things with them, but for a home it's just not worth it, just take your designs and your media (the things you want to print on) to a print shop and have them printed there.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 3 days ago (1 children)

FYI - nitrile gloves aren't for everything, and have different breakthrough times for different chemicals. Some chemicals may need to be handled with latex, vinyl, polyethelene, or otherwise. Some manufacturers of lab gloves will have charts depicting which gloves to use when handling various materials like alcohol vs acetone etc, but you can also reach out and ask them whats best for your situation. I think if you are itching like that this is worth looking into because they aren't protecting you like they should. Some people will even develop a sensitivity after awhile - something that didn't bother me before now gives me a rash when I handle it.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

Yep I know. These are the ones the company buys. I've tried others when I had to buy a box while out and about but n a hardware store or even a supermarket. Latex gets destroyed very fast, I didn't notice much of a difference with vinyl.. but you are right I have to try if some other material goes better. The thing is I don't have a clue what the fuck they put in the inks and nobody seems to be able to tell me.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Maybe this one different though

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago

I sincerely doubt these newcomers can achieve at their first try what well established manufacturers haven't through revision after revision of their machines. The price is the first clue, flatbed uv printers this size start at about ten thousand. Also, important information like which printhead they mount, printing speed (m2/h), uv lamp wattage.. is missing which is suspicious at best.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

I watched a bit of Michael Alm's video on this, but noped out when I saw all of the little boxes of consumables appearing. If regular printer ink is already exorbitant, I can only imagine what these proprietary cartridges will cost.

[–] Kowowow 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

If I had the money for one I'd be making a bunch of stained glass type things I bet they would look awesome

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Adam Savage has a video where they use the eufy to print onto glass (and many other materials). The result was pretty incredible, so I hope we see this become easier and easier.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

I watched Michael Alm's video about it yesterday. Looks cool if you are running an Etsy shop out of your garage/small rented space, but I think it's a pass for me. I already don't have enough time to play with my 3d printers and laser cutter.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago (3 children)

Is "UV printer" different from "resin printer"?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 days ago

Resin printers build 3d objects using 2d layers. UV printers can apply 2D layers to 3d objects. Imagine a permanent phone skin. The objects can have some curvature. I’ve seems some pretty neat designs applied to retro handheld gaming systems.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Yes. It prints similar to an inkjet printer, but the inks are UV-curable. UV inks don't need a special medium like coated inkjet paper, they stick to any surface. You can also layer multiple coats on top of each other to create reliefs (like resin printing, but with colours)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

So it's a like a 2D printer but with like 3mm of height? What's the "ink" made of?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 days ago

Well, kind of. Its main use is to customize existing stuff, like printing pictures on a phone case, custom key caps, and such. I don't know what the ink is made of - I'm guessing a UV curable binder and pigments? Or liquid gold, judging from the price...

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Yeah, take a look at the article. It is something totally different

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

I did look at it. Still not sure what it is. It's just a bunch of marketing nonsense, as per usual.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

It can print on any surface so you could throw a mug in there and print on the side of it apparently. 3D printers require a flat bed to print an object on. It sounds like the mechanics are similar to a resin printer but with the ability to print on top of an existing object.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 days ago

Not at all like a resin printer. Imagine a hybrid: the top part is an inkjet printer with a printhead that goes side-to-side shooting ink but instead of paper sliding under it there's a flatbed not unlike the one in a filament 3D printer. The ink is cured by a uv lamp (or more than one, but I suspect this printer has only one and very small and weak since the smaller lamp I work with costs more than this hole printer) usually fixed to the side of the printhead 'carriage'.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

The ink costs for the E1 are already outrageously priced at $299 for a 600ml pack.

Not sure if tariffs on Chinese goods apply, but it can only go up from there.

Hard pass.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

I want Eufy to make a regular printer and lend that stagnant market with some modern drivers and software.