The Nova3D Whale4 Ultra, featuring its upgraded 16K screen and simplified one-step leveling, aims to improve on the previous Whale3 line of printers. It includes a new flip-up cover, making the removal of the build plate much easier and requiring less overhead space. It also comes with a built-in resin heater, air filtration system, and gravity autofill. Nova3D has also upgraded the LCD glass to Gorilla Glass for added protection against spills and breakage. Furthermore, the COB UV light system has been enhanced, providing 15% more light for faster curing of layers. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the Whale4 Ultra, testing its performance with detailed prints to see how the new 16K resolution screen performs, as well as how the vat holds up during cleaning. As usual, we’ll wrap up with final thoughts and a list of pros and cons.
Table Of Contents
- Specifications
- Unboxing – What’s Included
- Setup and Design
- Software – NovaMaker
- Testing and Results
- Resin and Accessories
- Compare to Other 3D Printers
- Conclusion and Pros & Cons
Price: $499 – $669
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The Nova3D Whale4 Ultra discount code is valid until March 31 for $100 off the purchase from the official website.
Discount Code – $100 Off: w4JG7W6W
As the product is new, it is not available on Amazon or AliExpress shelves just yet, but it may appear soon. Here is their shop on Amazon.
Whale4 Ultra Specifications
• Build Volume 211.68 x 118.37 x 220mm (8.33 x 4.66 x 8.66 inches)
• LCD Screen 10″ Monochrome
• Light source 6 Generation Crystal Light Source Engine
• LCD Resolution 16K (15120 x 6230)
• X/Y Axis Resolution 14 x 19 microns
• Layer height 0.02 – 0.1 mm
• Print speed 55 mm/hour
• Resin heating system
• Air filtration
• Gravity auto-fill
• Interface 4.3” Touch Panel
• Connectivity USB, WiFi
• Machine Footprint 348.5 x 345 x 503 mm (13.7 x 13.5 x 19.8 inches)
• Machine Weight 24.5 KG (54 lbs)
What’s in the Box
• Whale 4 Ultra 16K • Resin vat • Printing platform • Heater/ Air filtration module • Spatula • Sheer cutters • Auto feed cap • Spare screws • Filters • Gloves • Hex wrench set • USB drive • Quick start guide
©3DWithUs – Photo: Will Zoobkoff
Setup and Design
Setting up the Whale 4 Ultra is quick and straightforward. You only need to remove all the packaging materials, plug in the resin heater/air filtration system module, and secure it with the supplied screw. Then, install the resin vat and finally attach the build platform. If you’re using the autofill cap, you’ll need to install it onto the resin bottle, ensuring the sealing ring creates a proper seal to prevent spillage.
©3DWithUs – Photo: Will Zoobkoff
– Pre-Leveled. The printing platform on the Whale 4 Ultra comes leveled from the factory, but it’s always a good idea to double-check the level before you start printing to ensure it’s perfect.
©3DWithUs – Photo: Will Zoobkoff
In terms of design, Nova3D has chosen a clean black color scheme throughout the machine. The Whale 4 Ultra features a mostly metal construction, which makes the printer very sturdy but also increases its weight. The flip-up cover uses a darker green, transparent UV-blocking acrylic that sits flush around the base of the machine. The cover can be opened to various angles up to 120 degrees, and the hinge system does a great job of keeping the cover in place, no matter the angle.
There’s also a vent at the rear of the machine where you can install a ventilation hose and fan to help exhaust resin fumes. This, combined with the air filtration system, removes most, if not all, resin smell in the printer chamber when closed.
©3DWithUs – Photo: Will Zoobkoff
– Resin Vat. The one drawback is the resin vat is made of plastic, whereas the previous Whale3 line used a metal vat, which many users prefer. However, the new vat does have a spout located at the rear, making it much easier to drain with less chance of spillage.
©3DWithUs – Photo: Will Zoobkoff
– Screen. The Whale4 Ultra also features a user-friendly menu system with clear, easy-to-navigate screens. It provides quick access to all essential settings, allowing users to adjust the heater temperature, clean the resin vat, and monitor the printer’s lifetime timers. This intuitive interface enhances the overall user experience, making maintenance and fine-tuning both straightforward and efficient. However, it’s worth noting that there are no adjustment options available during printing.
Software – NovaMaker
The Whale4 Ultra comes with NovaMaker, Nova3D’s own slicer and fleet control system, which allows you to monitor several printers simultaneously. The popular Chitubox slicer is also supported, with a profile available for the Whale4 Ultra.
For all the prints in our testing, we chose to use NovaMaker, slicing with the base profile and making adjustments only to exposure time and wait times based on the resin being used. The default layer height is 0.06mm, but you can also choose between 0.02mm and 0.1mm for layer heights. NovaMaker also allows you to upload and monitor prints, as well as control and monitor multiple Nova3D printers at the same time.
Test Printing Results
We used a combination of SUNLU 14K resin from Amazon and Nova3D Standard resin for the prints in our testing. For the SUNLU resin, the only adjustments we made to the settings were 2.3 seconds for layer exposure time and 2 seconds for off time. We used the base profile speed settings and a 0.06mm layer height.
For all the prints, we set the heater to 30°C to ensure the resin maintained the perfect temperature during the printing process. The heater did a great job of heating the chamber to the correct temperature and maintaining it throughout printing. The heater cycles on and off as needed to keep the temperature steady within the enclosure. The air filter also runs during the printing process and does a good job of reducing resin fumes and odors, though it’s always better to have adequate ventilation, as resin fumes can be harmful. All models were pre-supported, making printing a breeze.
– Death Knight Bust. For the first print in our testing, we chose to print the pre-supported Death Knight Bust by Fotis Mint. This is an excellent model to test the detail of a printer, as the skull face and chainmail feature a lot of small details that may not show up as clearly on lower-resolution printers.
3D Model by Fotis Mint on Thangs
©3DWithUs – Print and Photo: Will Zoobkoff
The print took 4 hours and 30 minutes to complete, the skull came out exceptionally sharp and clear, thanks to the 16K screen. The ornate details of the armor plates, chainmail, and cloak were all crystal clear. The SUNLU 14K resin also helped highlight the model’s detail. This resin is specifically designed for higher-resolution screens, reducing shrinkage and providing more of a chalk-like finish, as opposed to the smoother finish typical of standard resins.
– La Catrina. We then printed another model from the Fotis Mint collection as part of our testing. We decided to print the La Catrina bust this time. With intricate details in her hat, lace top, and even cosmetics, this is yet another amazing model by Fotis Mint which took 4 hours ans 30 minutes to print.
3D Model by Fotis Mint on Thangs
©3DWithUs – Print and Photo: Will Zoobkoff
To make sure we got as much detail as we could, we utilized the same SUNLU 14K grey resin as in our last print, and the Whale 4 Ultra did not let us down. The results are self-evident—the 16K screen and SUNLU resin bring about a remarkably high level of detail.
– Venralthorn. We also printed the Fotis Mint Venralthorn bust. This model, though a simpler design, features the dragon and base as a single piece, making it a straightforward print that took 6 hours and 30 minutes to print.
3D Model by Fotis Mint on Thangs
©3DWithUs – Print and Photo: Will Zoobkoff
Even so, with the SUNLU 14K resin, it is no less impressive. The sharp details of the various plates on the dragon’s scales, as well as the many spikes adorning the dragon’s face, came out crisp and clear. The SUNLU resin also adds an almost stone-like texture and appearance to the model, which helps enhance the dragon’s stone-like nature.
– Scorpion Bust. Moving on to the next model, we printed another Fotis Mint bust—the Scorpion bust. This time, we chose to use the standard Nova3D grey resin and took 4 hours and 50 minutes to print.
3D Model by Fotis Mint on Thangs
©3DWithUs – Print and Photo: Will Zoobkoff
We used similar settings as with the SUNLU resin, with the only change being the layer time, which was adjusted to 2.2 seconds — a minor change.
– Steampunk Ring. We also printed a ring from the Fotis Mint collection on the plate, along with his Steampunk ring adorned with many gears on the face. The prints came out fantastic with the Nova3D resin, though it has a smoother, plastic-like finish compared to the SUNLU 14K resin and its chalk-like texture. The detail on the Scorpion bust came out sharp and clear, and the smooth skin on his arms was flawless, thanks to the 5X AA the Whale4 Ultra uses. The ring also came out beautifully, with all the gears on the face sharp and clear, and no defects on the thin arms of the gears.
3D Model by Fotis Mint on Thangs
©3DWithUs – Print and Photo: Will Zoobkoff
The Four Horseman: Conquest. For the final print in our testing, we chose a model from Nerikson—the Conquest model, part of his Four Horsemen collection. In a word, this model is amazing. The amount of detail on Conquest’s armor, as well as the detail of his horse, is exceptional and took a total of 11 and a half hours to print and took 3 prints to complete. Every detail, from the chains and adornments to the many armor plates, each decorated, came out fantastic using the standard Nova3D resin.
3D Model by Nerikson on MyMiniFactory
©3DWithUs – Print and Photo: Will Zoobkoff
The 16K screen did an outstanding job of reproducing this model with as much detail as possible. It also speaks to the level of work and care Nerikson puts into his models. The horse’s head, with its many sharp teeth, and the adorned armor plates are a showcase of detail, all the way down to the ground, which is littered with chains, various bones, and crushed helmets—truly amazing to see.
Nova3D Resin, Post-Processing and Accessories
Apart from the Whale series 3D printers, it is possible to purchase various specifics and specially formulated resins on Nova3D. These range from inexpensive Standard resin to professional Surgical Guide and Dental Orthodontic resins. Their resin is available for purchase via the Official Website or Amazon.
On their website, we also noticed accessories such as extra build plates, resin tanks, and post-processing stations like the FastCure2.
Compare Nova3D Whale4 Ultra 16K to Other 3D Printers
Compare to the similar volume resin 3D printers in the same price range:
Compared to other brands, Nova3D offers several unique features that make this machine stand out, such as a gravity auto-fill, factory pre-leveling, and a built-in resin heater/filtration system. Its stable build and ease of use are reminiscent of professional-grade 3D printers rather than a budget option.
©3DWithUs – Print and Photo: Will Zoobkoff
Conclusion and Pros & Cons
The Nova3D Whale4 Ultra discount code is valid until March 31 for $100 off the purchase from the official website.
Discount Code – $100 Off: w4JG7W6W
Nova3D Whale4 Ultra 16K Review
Review Summary
The Nova3D Whale4 Ultra is upgraded from its prequel, enjoying a lineup of impressive updates on both its feature set and handling. With its stunning 16K screen, upgraded UV light system with more rapid curing, and convenient features in the design of its resident resin warmer and air filtration system, this 3D printer guarantees accuracy and ease of use. In our rigorous testing, the Whale4 Ultra continuously delivered sharp, quality prints whether it was printing with the SUNLU 14K resin or with the Standard resin offered by Nova3D, which showed its capabilities in high-resolution display and advanced features.
One minor change in the Whale4 Ultra is the shift from the previous metal resin vat to a plastic vat. While this may be a concern for some users who preferred the durability of the metal vat, it’s important to note that the plastic vat still performs well and offers a practical improvement in ease of use with its new draining spout. While the material change may be a small inconvenience for a few, it certainly doesn’t take away from the printer’s overall performance or value.
In general, the Whale4 Ultra is an excellent option for beginners who wish to venture into the realm of resin printing, as well as professionals seeking a high-quality, high-capacity machine. With its combination of first-class technology, ease of use, and high-quality printing, the Whale4 Ultra is the best contender among resin printers. Whether you’re printing intricate models, prototyping, or producing high-quality works of art, the Whale4 Ultra is an excellent investment for anyone looking to elevate their 3D printing projects to new heights.
Pros
• 16K Resolution
• Resin Heater
• Air Filtration
• Solid Build Quality
• Flip Cover
Cons
• Plastic Vat
• No Adjustment During Print
• Heavy
