Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra: 12K Tilt-Release Resin, Assessed
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The Saturn 4 Ultra is a 10-inch 12K MSLA resin printer: 218.88 × 122.88 × 220 mm, 19 × 24 µm pixels, tilt-release for up to 150 mm/h, auto levelling, a camera and a self-check routine. It is the mainstream choice for miniatures and detailed models. The 16K variant tightens pixels to 14 × 19 µm; the plain Saturn 4 drops tilt release and the camera. Every resin printer also needs a wash, a cure and ventilation.
Uncured resin is a skin and respiratory irritant. Wear nitrile gloves and eye protection, ventilate the room or vent the printer outdoors, wash parts in IPA in a covered container, and fully cure before handling. Never pour resin or IPA wash down a drain.
Where to buy
Specifications
| Spec | Saturn 4 | Saturn 4 Ultra | Saturn 4 Ultra 16K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build volume | 218.88 × 122.88 × 220 mm | 218.88 × 122.88 × 220 mm | 211.68 × 118.37 × 220 mm |
| LCD | 10-inch 12K | 10-inch 12K | 10-inch 16K |
| XY pixel | 19 × 24 µm | 19 × 24 µm | 14 × 19 µm |
| Release | Standard | Tilt release | Tilt release |
| Max speed | About 70 mm/h | 150 mm/h | 150 mm/h |
| Light | COB + Fresnel, 405 nm | COB + Fresnel, 405 nm | COB + Fresnel, 405 nm |
| Levelling | Manual | Auto | Auto |
| Camera | No | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | About 12 kg | 14.5 kg | About 14.5 kg |
What tilt release changes
Conventional MSLA lifts the whole plate to peel each layer from the film, which is slow and stresses fine parts. Tilt release rocks the vat instead, so the peel is progressive and the lift is short. That is where the 150 mm/h figure comes from, and it also reduces failed supports on tall thin models. See resin types for which resins tolerate fast peels.
Ultra, plain or 16K
- Saturn 4: same screen and volume, no tilt, no camera, manual levelling. The budget pick.
- Saturn 4 Ultra: the default. Tilt, auto level, camera.
- Saturn 4 Ultra 16K: finer pixels on a slightly smaller plate. Only worth it for the finest miniatures; most users cannot see the difference after priming.
What else you need
A wash and cure station, IPA or a water-washable resin, nitrile gloves, and either an enclosure with a vent or a room you can ventilate. Budget for those before the printer.
The units in the box
The listings are the Saturn 4 Ultra 12K, the Saturn 4 Ultra 16K and the Saturn 4.
FAQ
Is 12K enough for miniatures? Yes; 19 × 24 µm is finer than a 0.4 mm FDM nozzle by an order of magnitude.
Does the Ultra need levelling? It levels automatically via a mechanical sensor.
LayerWalker
Print defect diagnosis, calibration procedures and parts that actually fit. Corrections welcome through the contact page.
