Photon Mono M5s

The Photon Mono M5s is an LCD 3D printer from Anycubic with a 218 x 123 x 200 mm build volume.

Specifications

Light Engine

10.1-inch monochrome LCD at 11520×5120 pixels (12K), 19 µm XY pixel pitch. 480:1 contrast ratio: noticeably sharper fine edges compared to previous 6K/8K panels.

Platform

Build volume 218×123×200 mm. One-touch automatic levelling: no manual tramming needed between vat changes.

Speed

Up to 105 mm/h vertical build rate with compatible high-speed resin; 60–80 mm/h recommended for standard resins for best detail.

Materials

Any 405 nm photopolymer: standard, water-washable, ABS-like, flexible, castable. Layer range 10–200 µm.

Price

~€370 (launched at ~$399 USD early-bird, May 2023).

Calibration

Auto-levelling

Run auto-level before every session; mandatory after any vat swap. The system probes the FEP surface and stores Z=0 automatically.

Exposure Test

Print Ameralabs AMF or Photon Validation Matrix varying Normal Exposure in 0.1 s steps. Find the minimum exposure where all test features are resolved: less is better at 19 µm.

Lift Settings

Bottom Lift Speed: 40 mm/min; Normal Lift Speed: 60–80 mm/min. For wide flat models, reduce to 50 mm/min or add drain holes.

Common defects

Adhesion failure at base layers

Increase Bottom Exposure (×1.3) and Bottom Layer Count to 6–8. Re-run auto-level with a clean build plate.

Suction Cupping

Tilt model 30–45° or drill drain holes ≥2 mm. Reduce Lift Speed.

Overcure

Reduce Normal Exposure by 10–15% in 0.1 s increments. Symptom: melted thin walls, fused supports.

Z-banding

Tighten Z-axis lead-screw coupler; reduce Lift Speed to 40 mm/min.

What it is used for

Miniatures (28–54 mm)

19 µm pixel and 480:1 contrast deliver DLP-production-class detail at 1/10 the price.

Ortho and dental study models

105 mm/h enables a serial print-and-cure cycle for student clinics or small dental labs.

Jewelry casting models

Castable resin + 19 µm accuracy for investment-cast rings and pendants.

Engineering prototypes.