Unboxing a new 3D printer is always fun. With a resin printer, though, getting it out of the box is only the beginning. Before you can start printing, you need to install the build platform, level it, and check that the exposure screen is working.
In this walkthrough, I unpack the ELEGOO Mars 3 and work through its initial setup using the included instructions. This is the unboxing and assembly stage; the actual test prints come later.
The Mars 3 is a 4K monochrome resin 3D printer. At the time of this unboxing, I described it as a roughly $300 printer with a larger build area than the Mars 2, while still being smaller than an ELEGOO Saturn.
Watch the Full Unboxing and Setup
What Comes in the Box?
I start by checking the manual and unpacking the accessory kit. Along with the printer, build platform, resin vat, and cover, the kit in this video includes:
- Allen wrenches and hardware
- A plastic scraper and a metal scraper
- Small cutters
- Resin filters
- Gloves and masks
- A USB drive
- The power supply and power cable
The filters are worth paying attention to. Small pieces of cured resin can remain in the vat, and filtering resin when returning it to the bottle helps keep that debris out of your next print.
Resin printing also needs a little more preparation than simply loading a spool of filament. Plan for the cleaning materials your chosen resin requires and a way to cure your finished prints. The included accessories are a starting point; follow your resin's handling instructions when preparing your workspace.
Unpack the Printer Carefully
With the accessories out of the way, I remove the printer's packaging and unwrap the cover. Take your time here. The rigid plastic hood is easy to handle, but it is still something you do not want to drop.
I also remove the protective film from the build platform and identify the resin vat and Z-axis assembly before moving on to setup. Keeping the manual nearby makes it easier to distinguish packaging that should be removed from parts that need to stay in place.
Power Up and Install the Build Platform
The next step is connecting the power supply and switching on the printer. I then remove the resin vat to make room for installing and leveling the build platform.
The platform slides onto the mounting arm and is secured with the rotary knob. Follow the manual's instructions for preparing the leveling screws before lowering the platform; the mounting knob and leveling screws have different jobs.
Leveling the Platform With Paper
This is the part where I had to leave the bench for a moment: the instructions call for a sheet of paper, and I had not brought one with me.
With the vat removed, I place the paper on the screen area beneath the build platform. From the touchscreen, I open Tools, then Manual, and use the home control to lower the platform.
One detail that can trip you up: the manual refers to a Home button, but the touchscreen uses an icon rather than spelling out the word. In the video, I pause to match the control on the screen with the illustration in the instructions.
After checking the platform fasteners, I test the paper. At first, it is trapped too tightly to pull out. I raise the platform in 0.1 mm increments until the paper can slide out with some resistance, then return to the previous menu and set the Z-zero position.
The useful takeaway is the paper test: you are checking the gap rather than simply assuming the platform is ready because it has reached the home position. Use the ELEGOO Mars 3 manual for the complete leveling sequence and screw-tightening instructions.
Run the Exposure Test
Once the platform is raised clear of the screen, I return to Tools and select Exposure. Running the test lights up the screen, providing a basic check before adding resin and starting a print.
I then reinstall the vat, secure its thumb screws, and put the cover back on. That completes the unboxing and initial assembly shown in this video.
Ready for the Next Step
By the end of the walkthrough, the Mars 3 is unpacked, the build platform is installed and leveled, and the exposure test has been run. The next step is preparing resin and a test file so we can see how it actually prints.
If you are setting up your own Mars 3, keep the manual beside you and take your time with leveling. It is a small part of the setup process, but it deserves more attention than the excitement of opening a new printer sometimes allows.