In detail
Control panel
The Elegoo Jupiter SE has an intuitive user interface with large buttons and simple menus. The interface is rudimentary, and could easily have been “pimped”. But navigation is really easy, and that’s the most important thing.
Other improvements could also be made, such as a virtual high limit on the Z (vertical) axis. Because the system knows the height of the plateau, but won’t prevent you from forcing it infinitely higher.
Construction platform upgrade
Levelling the build plate was strangely less easy than expected. The instructions supplied didn’t allow me to get a grip on the first print layer, and I think the leveling card supplied must simply have been a little too thick.
But fortunately the adjustments were quick. The solution was just as simple, using the empty resin tray rather than the calibration sheet. You tighten the 4 screws while holding the plate with your other hand, and that’s it.
Child’s play for the seasoned user, a headache for the novice. Elegoo could simply have been pre-calibrated at the factory for a better user experience.
That said, the 4-screw solution is simple and elegant, and once the adjustment was made, we never had any problems during our prints.
And that’s probably also due to the texture of the build plate, which isn’t just aesthetically pleasing, it’s a real asset for the adhesion of the first layers of resin.
Last but not least, the quick-release plate mounting screw with butterfly screw is a simple, robust solution. There’s no need to overtighten, and the plate won’t budge.
Removable lid
On this SE version, the lid is removable, instead of the hinged door of the first Jupiter. The practical advantage? It’s immediately easier to clean the machine. On the other hand, space is needed above the printer to fit and remove the cover. It’s this modification that helps the SE version to be much smaller than its big sister.
The Jupiter SE 6K has no built-in heater. While this omission doesn’t affect the printer’s capabilities in controlled environments, it could be a consideration for users working in cooler climates or less isolated spaces, where temperature fluctuations can affect resin viscosity and print quality.
