Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K

Print with more pixels per inch than an iPhone 12 Pro, says Andrew Sink.

- Andrew Sink

Are you interested in printing small models with as much fine detail as possible? Then the Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K is a machine that may work for you. The build volume of the Sonic Mini 4K is typical for resin machines in this price range, but the high Pixels-PerInch density makes this a machine that stands out from the crowd.

It took less than an hour to get the printer assembled and printing, which is typical for a resin printer like this one. The external power supply plugs into the back of the printer, and the cover simply sits on top of the base of the unit.

Similar to FDM 3D printers, the build platform on a resin 3D printer requires calibration to create an even surface. The Sonic Mini 4K uses an adjustable build platform with four screws to offset the surface and compensate for any uneven surfaces. The calibration process is more involved than on a printer like the Elegoo Mars 2, because there’s no ball and socket design on the platform, which enables the platform to be levelled using only two screws.

Conflicting setup information

The printer’s interface indicates that the vat should be removed during leveling, but the manual says the vat should be left in during this time. Leveling with the vat installed can damage the FEP screen. A piece of coarse sandpaper is included for roughing up the build surface, but this can also lead to problems with the FEP being punctured if the platform is unevenly sanded or scuffed.