Affordable Precision: A Comprehensive Review of the Longer 3D Orange 30 Resin 3D Printer

Longer 3D, a prominent name in the additive manufacturing industry, originated in Shenzhen, China, and embarked on its journey in the 3D printing sector in 2014. Since its inception, the company has diversified its offerings, manufacturing three distinct categories of 3D printing machines. These include robust desktop FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printers, marketed primarily under the Alfawise brand, which cater to a broad range of users from hobbyists to small businesses. Additionally, Longer 3D produces a popular line of low-cost resin 3D printers, known for their ability to produce highly detailed parts. Completing their portfolio is a sophisticated range of industrial-grade machines, featuring two models based on advanced Stereolithography (SLA) technology and one model utilizing Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), addressing the needs of professional and industrial applications requiring superior precision and material capabilities.

A significant milestone for the Chinese manufacturer occurred in early 2019 when they launched a highly successful Kickstarter campaign. This initiative aimed to support the development and market introduction of one of their latest resin 3D printers, the Orange 30. The crowdfunding campaign garnered an impressive $150,000, far exceeding its initial goal and demonstrating significant market interest in this innovative machine. The Longer 3D Orange 30 stands out as an exceptionally affordable resin 3D printer, leveraging a 2K resolution LCD screen to selectively solidify liquid photopolymer resin layer by layer. This LCD-based technology offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional laser-based SLA, making high-resolution resin printing more accessible to a broader audience. Longer 3D’s family of low-cost SLA-style machines also includes the Orange 10 and Orange 120. While sharing the same fundamental LCD-based resin printing technology, these models primarily differ in their build volume capacities and connectivity options, allowing users to choose a machine best suited for their specific project sizes and operational requirements.

At 3Dnatives Lab, we were keen to get our hands on the Orange 30 and put it through its paces. Its attractive price point, often found below $399.99 on platforms like Amazon, firmly positions it as one of the most budget-friendly resin 3D printers available in the market. This competitive pricing naturally raises crucial questions: Does this affordability come at the expense of performance, print quality, or overall user experience? How does the Orange 30 stand up against other established desktop resin 3D printers from renowned brands such as Formlabs, Uniz3D, or eSun, which often occupy higher price brackets? Furthermore, who is the ideal user for this machine – is it geared towards beginners, hobbyists, or perhaps professionals seeking an economical solution for rapid prototyping or small-batch production? Our comprehensive review below will delve into these questions, providing a detailed analysis of the Longer 3D Orange 30’s capabilities, ease of use, and overall value proposition for today’s dynamic 3D printing landscape.

Unboxing and First Impressions of the Longer 3D Orange 30

Upon receiving the Orange 30, we were immediately struck by its compact and manageable packaging. The relatively small cardboard box indicated a highly portable machine, a fact confirmed upon unboxing. The Orange 30 boasts a remarkably low weight of just 6 kg, with overall dimensions of 200 x 200 x 390 mm. This makes it, officially, the smallest 3D printer ever tested in the 3Dnatives Lab, highlighting its suitability for environments with limited space such as a home office, workshop, or even a classroom. Despite its diminutive footprint, the machine offers a respectable build volume, capable of creating parts with a maximum size of 120 x 68 x 170 mm. This volume is surprisingly generous for its class, notably surpassing the build volume offered by the iSun LI20 3D printer and providing a larger working area than its smaller sibling, the Orange 10. This balance of compact size and decent build volume is a significant advantage for users looking for an efficient desktop solution without compromising too much on print capacity.

Aesthetically, the Orange 30 embodies a functional simplicity that belies its capabilities. While not overly flamboyant, its design is practical and user-friendly. A key feature on the front panel is its 2.8-inch full-color touchscreen. Though modest in size, this screen proved to be highly functional and intuitive, allowing users to easily navigate through the printer’s various options, monitor print progress, and initiate operations with minimal fuss. This tactile interface significantly enhances the user experience, especially for those new to resin 3D printing. A thoughtful design element we observed on the printing platform itself was its specially contoured shape, engineered to facilitate efficient resin drainage once a print is completed. This seemingly small detail significantly contributes to a cleaner post-processing workflow, minimizing mess and waste and making the overall printing process more streamlined.

The package contained everything necessary to get started, with the 3D printer itself already equipped with the resin tray, the printing platform, and the power supply unit. Beyond the main components, we found a comprehensive assortment of tools and accessories. This included five UV protection panels, which required assembly with three elastic bands – a minor DIY task that speaks to the machine’s budget-conscious design. Four assembly guides were also provided to assist with this. Among the tools were four hex keys for adjustments, a robust spatula for part removal, two 3M filters essential for straining and reusing resin, five hand scrapers for cleaning, and a wipe. Crucially, a spare film for the resin container was included, anticipating future maintenance needs. Two pairs of latex gloves ensured safe handling of resins, and a USB key came pre-loaded with test models and the slicing software. An English user manual offered clear instructions, and a 250g bottle of beige resin allowed for immediate first prints. Longer 3D also generously supplied three additional resin bottles, including a grey variant, expanding our testing capabilities. It’s important to note, however, that like many resin printers in this category, a homemade post-processing kit is necessary. This means users will need to procure their own isopropyl alcohol solution and containers to effectively rinse finished prints and remove excess uncured resin, as these items are not included in the standard package.

In terms of consumables, Longer 3D offers a respectable selection of their proprietary resins. Currently, their lineup includes five types: standard beige, grey, black, and white resins suitable for general prototyping and model making, alongside a specialized castable resin, which is ideal for jewelry making and dental applications requiring burnout processes. This variety allows users to choose materials best suited for their specific project needs, whether for aesthetic or functional requirements. A significant advantage of the Orange 30’s design is its open architecture. This flexibility allows users to experiment with and utilize resins from other manufacturers on the market, greatly expanding material options and potential applications beyond Longer 3D’s own offerings. However, when using third-party resins, it is crucial to remember that exposure times will likely need to be adjusted within the slicing software. Furthermore, users must ensure the chosen resin is compatible in terms of its UV wavelength requirement with the Orange 30’s light source to ensure proper curing and optimal print results. This open system, while requiring a bit more user knowledge, ultimately provides greater freedom, versatility, and cost-saving potential for discerning users.

A fundamental advantage of utilizing an LCD resin 3D printer, such as the Orange 30, lies in its inherently fast printing speed. Unlike traditional SLA (Stereolithography) machines, where a single laser solidifies resin point by painstakingly slow point, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) technology operates differently. In this process, a projector – specifically an LCD screen in the case of the Orange 30 – acts as a dynamic mask, “flashing” an entire layer of photosensitive resin simultaneously. This layer-by-layer solidification significantly accelerates the printing process, as the time taken to cure a single layer remains constant regardless of the number of objects or complexity within that layer. Longer 3D has equipped the Orange 30 with a high-resolution 2K LCD projector. This resolution is comparable to the screens found on more premium machines like the Uniz Slash+ or the iSun3D LI20, ensuring exceptional detail. As a direct result of this 2K resolution, the 3D printer can achieve an impressive pixel resolution of 47.25 μm (microns), meaning each cured voxel is incredibly small, translating into remarkably smooth surfaces and intricate feature reproduction in the final printed parts. This combination of speed and precision makes the Orange 30 a powerful tool for various applications, from intricate miniatures and highly detailed models to functional prototypes where surface finish is critical.

Setting Up Your Longer 3D Orange 30

Longer 3D has made a commendable effort to streamline the setup process for the Orange 30, a crucial aspect for budget-friendly machines often targeting a wider audience, including beginners. To assist users with everything from installing the UV protection cover to cleaning parts and utilizing their proprietary software, Longer 3D has produced an extensive series of 16 explanatory videos. These are readily accessible on their official website within the Support > Download section. While currently only available in English, these video tutorials represent a significant positive point. Many manufacturers of low-cost machines unfortunately neglect comprehensive online support, leaving users to troubleshoot on their own. Longer 3D’s commitment to providing clear, visual guidance greatly enhances the initial user experience and reduces potential frustration, helping users get up and running quickly and confidently.

The very first step in preparing the Orange 30 for operation involves assembling its UV protection cover. This distinctive orange cover is designed to shield the resin from ambient UV light, preventing premature curing, and is ingeniously held in place by just two rubber bands. While this assembly only takes a few minutes, it subtly reveals where the manufacturer has opted for cost savings to keep the machine’s price competitive. Despite the simple attachment mechanism, the assembled hood feels reasonably stable. However, users are advised to handle it with a degree of care to ensure its longevity and maintain its protective function over time. As part of their robust support system, a dedicated video tutorial illustrating the cover assembly process is available in English on the Longer 3D online support page, ensuring even novice users can complete this initial step confidently and correctly.

The second critical installation step is calibrating the printing platform to ensure it is perfectly parallel with the Orange 30’s LCD screen. This procedure is vital for successful resin 3D printing, as an unlevel platform can lead to failed prints, uneven layers, or poor adhesion. Before commencing this calibration, it is essential to carefully remove the resin tray to expose the LCD screen. The goal is to achieve a precisely parallel platform positioned at an optimal distance from the screen, ensuring uniform exposure of each layer of resin. Longer 3D provides clear instructions for this process in both their manual and video tutorials. It is also important to recognize that this calibration is not a one-time task; it will need to be repeated periodically, especially if the machine is moved, if the platform is removed and reinserted, or if print failures suggest an alignment issue. Regular calibration contributes significantly to consistent print quality and overall printing success.

Before initiating your first 3D print, the resin tank must be filled with the chosen liquid photopolymer resin. The Orange 30’s resin tank, common in many entry-level machines, does not feature automated level indicators or sensors. Therefore, users must exercise caution to avoid overfilling the tank, which could lead to resin spilling outside during the printing process, creating a mess and wasting valuable material. This manual resin pouring contrasts with more professional-grade machines from manufacturers like Formlabs or 3D Systems, which often incorporate automated resin dispensing and level detection systems for added convenience and mess prevention. While the manual approach is straightforward, it requires user attention to detail and careful handling to prevent spills and ensure a clean working environment, reinforcing the budget-conscious nature of the machine and the importance of user attentiveness.

Mastering the Longer 3D Slicing Software

As is typical with most manufacturers of resin 3D printers, Longer 3D has developed its own dedicated slicing software to accompany the Orange 30. This proprietary software, simply named Longer 3D, is compatible with both PC and Mac operating systems, making it accessible to a wide user base. It is available in English and Chinese languages and can be conveniently downloaded directly from the Support section of Longer 3D’s website. For users who prefer alternative solutions or are already familiar with other ecosystems, it is also worth noting that the Orange 30 is compatible with Chitubox, a popular and universal third-party slicer specifically designed for SLA/DLP/LCD 3D printers. Chitubox offers a familiar interface and advanced features that many users appreciate, much like Cura serves as a widely adopted slicer for FDM/FFF 3D printers, providing flexibility for different user preferences and workflows.

Our experience with the Longer 3D software, specifically version 1.32, mirrored the philosophy of the Orange 30 3D printer itself: simplicity and functionality. The software is designed to be user-friendly, allowing both beginners and more experienced users to perform all the essential operations expected from a 3D printing slicer. These basic but crucial functions include precise positioning of the 3D model on the build plate, rotating it for optimal orientation and support generation, cloning multiple copies for efficient batch printing, and enlarging or scaling the 3D model to desired dimensions. A particularly positive aspect of the Longer 3D software is its ability to assist users in identifying potential design problems within the 3D model and, in some cases, even correcting them. This integrated diagnostic capability can save significant time and resin by preventing print failures caused by non-manifold edges or other geometric issues, thereby enhancing the overall user experience and print success rates.

Beyond basic model manipulation, the Longer 3D software provides comprehensive tools for generating supports, an indispensable step for successful resin 3D printing. Users can easily generate automatic supports for their parts or manually add/remove them as needed, offering a balance between automation and fine-grain control. The software allows for fine-tuning of various support parameters, including the density of the support structures, their overall thickness, the fineness of the contact points where they attach to the model, and the critical distance of the part from the surface of the printing plate. Properly configured supports are essential to prevent model distortion and ensure structural integrity during the curing process, ultimately impacting the success and quality of the final print. Furthermore, users will need to accurately select the layer thickness, which offers considerable flexibility, ranging from a superfine 10 microns up to 100 microns, with precise 5-micron steps in between. This granular control over layer height directly impacts print resolution and speed. The number of layers for the raft, a base structure that aids adhesion and part removal, also needs to be specified. The final crucial step before exporting the prepared file to the USB key involves selecting the specific resin being used. This selection enables further optimization of critical printing parameters, such as the exposure time for the raft layers (which typically require longer curing) and subsequent regular layers, the lifting distance of the tray between each layer, and the elevation speed of the tray, all of which are vital for achieving optimal print quality and success rates with different resin formulations and printing needs.

First Impressions and Printing Performance with the Longer 3D Orange 30

With the machine fully installed, calibrated, and our 3D models prepared and sliced using the Longer 3D software, it was time to initiate the first 3D prints. The process was straightforward: after securely connecting the USB key, which contained our sliced files and some pre-loaded test models, to the back of the Orange 30, a few simple clicks on the intuitive control screen brought the machine to life, and 3D printing commenced. Given that the Orange 30 operates on LCD technology, renowned for its ability to produce highly detailed objects, we specifically chose a selection of intricate 3D models for our tests. We utilized the beige resin thoughtfully provided by Longer 3D for these initial printing trials, aiming to assess the machine’s out-of-the-box performance in rendering fine features and smooth surfaces.

The 3D printing process itself largely proceeded without significant complications, showcasing the Orange 30’s reliability. However, we did encounter one notable issue on our third print, when the machine began producing unsettling noises. Upon investigation, we identified the problem: the printing plate had descended too far and was making abrasive contact with the resin tray. This kind of mechanical interference is often a sign of miscalibration, emphasizing the importance of precise setup. After promptly recalibrating the machine and thoroughly cleaning the resin tank to remove any potential debris or partially cured resin, the issue was successfully resolved, and subsequent prints ran smoothly. Overall, we were highly impressed by the surface quality of the printed parts. Even on the most complex and finely detailed models, the Orange 30 delivered a high degree of precision and smooth finishes, demonstrating the effectiveness of its 2K LCD screen and tight pixel resolution. Another significant positive observation was the relatively low noise level emitted by the 3D printer during operation. This quiet performance makes the Orange 30 particularly well-suited for an office environment, a shared workspace, or even a home setting, where excessive noise from equipment can be disruptive. One minor difficulty observed on some prints concerned the detachment of the part from the printing plate after printing was complete. This is a common challenge across various 3D printing processes, including FDM. We strongly advise users to approach this step with patience and care, using the provided spatula gently to avoid inadvertently damaging the delicate details of the freshly printed part.

As is standard practice with resin 3D printing technology, post-processing of the printed part is an absolutely mandatory step to achieve the final, desired properties and aesthetic. In practical terms, this involves a multi-stage cleaning process. Users will need two rinsing tanks: one for an initial wash to remove the bulk of uncured resin, and a second for a cleaner rinse, both utilizing an isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution. After several minutes of immersion and gentle agitation in IPA, the excess liquid resin is dissolved and washed away. Following this, the challenging but crucial task of removing the printing supports must be undertaken. For parts with intricate geometries or very fine details, this operation requires considerable dexterity and care, as improper removal can easily damage the delicate features of the model. Therefore, careful handling is paramount to preserve the print’s integrity. Finally, maintaining the machine itself is vital for ongoing success. We strongly recommend thoroughly cleaning the printing platform after each print. Equally important is to meticulously inspect the resin tray and remove any solidified resin pieces or debris that may have detached and settled within the tank before commencing a new print. Neglecting this can lead to screen damage or print failures, impacting future print quality.

During our testing period, we also had the opportunity to change the film of the resin tray. This procedure, which is a routine maintenance task for resin printers, was surprisingly straightforward and took approximately five minutes to complete, utilizing just a simple hex key and a cutter. Although it wasn’t strictly necessary in our specific testing scenario, it is paramount to understand the importance of keeping this FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene) film pristine. Any scratches, smudges, or remnants of cured resin clinging to its surface can significantly impair print quality, cause layers to fail, or even damage the LCD screen by preventing the UV light from passing through effectively. Longer 3D, true to their commitment to user support, provides a dedicated video tutorial outlining the exact procedure for changing the resin tray film, ensuring users can confidently perform this maintenance task. Below, you can explore a gallery of the various detailed models we successfully 3D printed on the Longer 3D Orange 30, showcasing its precision and versatility across different designs:

In conclusion, the Longer 3D Orange 30 carves out a significant niche in the highly competitive desktop resin 3D printer market. Its highly attractive price point, combined with its ability to produce remarkably detailed and precise prints, positions it as an excellent choice for a wide array of users. Hobbyists and makers will appreciate its affordability and the exceptional quality it delivers for intricate models, miniatures, and artistic creations. Small businesses and designers can leverage its capabilities for rapid prototyping and producing high-fidelity functional parts without a substantial initial investment, making it a valuable tool for product development. While some aspects, such as the manual resin pouring and the assembly of the UV cover, reflect its budget-friendly design, these are minor considerations given the overall performance and value. The comprehensive online video support and the flexibility of its open-resin system further enhance its appeal, making it a powerful and accessible tool for anyone looking to step into the world of high-resolution resin 3D printing. The Orange 30 proves that impressive print quality and speed don’t always have to come with a premium price tag, truly embodying the concept of affordable precision in modern additive manufacturing.

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