Post-processing for resin 3D prints is crucial to achieve smooth, polished, and fully functional prints. The EIBOS Oceanus is a 3-in-1 machine that allows you to clean, dry, and cure your models.
Once the prints are finished and carefully removed from the build plate, they must be cleaned. Depending on what kind of resin you use, this can be done using water or isopropyl alcohol (IPA). Usually, I do this in a transparent bucket, stirring the liquid with a stick until the model looks clean. Next, you must dry the model using a lint-free cloth or a specialized drying station, or you can wait a couple of hours until the breeze dries it naturally.
After cleaning and drying, resin prints must undergo UV curing to harden completely. This can be done using a UV light source, a dedicated resin curing station, or by exposing it to sunlight for a more extended period of time. Curing ensures the print achieves its final strength and stability.
The EIBOS 3D Oceanus automatic post-processing station goes further, allowing IPA to be cleaned from resin residues. A watertight container is included for this purpose.
EIBOS Oceanus review
Disclosure: I received this cleaning/drying/curing machine as part of a product review collaboration with EIBOS 3D. Although the product was offered for free, all opinions in this article remain my own, and the sponsor did not influence me.
EIBOS 3D is a company focused on providing quality 3D printing solutions for hobbyists and professionals. It offers a variety of products, including resin post-processing tools and filament dryers, designed to make the printing process easier and more efficient. With a focus on reliability and user-friendly designs, it helps creators bring their ideas to life.
Initially, EIBOS contacted me to review their new Polyphemus filament dryer. Still, during the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra review, I realized how vital a resin post-processing tool like Oceanus is, so I opted to test this product first.
The Oceanus’s design began in 2020, with the first prototype created in November of the same year. The revised prototype was released in January 2022, and a few months later, it was listed on Kickstarter. Mass production started in August 2022, with the first batch of deliveries beginning in January 2023.
EIBOS Oceanus: At a glance
The Oceanus comes in a surprisingly compact foam-padded cardboard box with an included user manual (PDF version available here), two rubber water hoses (3/4″ – 90 cm long), a sealed container, shelf board, and a DC12V 3A power adapter. Please note that the cleaning agent container is not included in the package. The manufacturer recommends using a transparent bottle ≥4L with a mouth diameter ≥30mm.
The unit measures 240x195x345mm and weighs about 5 kg. The inner tub measures 175x125x160mm. According to your settings, it can be loaded with 1.3L (L mode), 2.2L (M), or 3L H cleaning liquids (water or IPA). Multiple water-level sensors inside the unit prevent spilling.
The lid tightly closes the washing area and has a built-in drying system and controls. The top has a premium black piano finish with built-in red/blue glowing touch buttons. From left to right, you have: Power On/Off, Water level (L|M|H), Wash (4|8|12), Dry (12|15|18), Cure (2|4|6), and Start/Pause. The LID closes with a safety magnetic sensor that detects openings.
On the back of the unit are two water hose connectors (inlet and outlet) and the hardwired power cord. Inside, each of the four sides has two rows of UV LEDs, totaling 96 405nm chips with a total power of 19W. This allows rapid 360-degree curing of the printed parts without needing a turntable.
Inside the machine’s bottom are paddles for stirring the washing liquid and an outlet. The liquid inlets and outlets are equipped with filter meshes to prevent the circulation pump from failing due to larger impurities. When the lid is opened, a light automatically turns on to better see inside the unit.
EIBOS Oceanus: Operation & Control
After installing the Oceanus in its position and connecting the two houses (inlet and outlet), you will need a bottle to fill with the cleaning agent. Depending on your resin type, you can use water or IPA. The amount needed will range from 1.3L to 3L, depending on the size of the parts you want to clean. The required curing time is also proportional to the volume and thickness of the printed parts.
Unlike other cleaning stations, the design of the EIBOS Oceanus doesn’t allow the printed models to be loaded together with the build plate, so you need to remove them first.
As mentioned, the Oceanus comes with easy-to-use, intuitive touch controls. After selecting the appropriate water level, washing, drying, and curing program, you just need to hit the play button. The station will start pumping water from the container into the machine and start the washing program. The process is repeated a few times, and lastly, the liquid is evacuated, and the powerful fan on top will start drying the parts. If you want to force the evacuation of the cleaning liquid before finishing the washing task, you can do this by long pressing the ‘Water Level’ button.
After the parts are dried, they will take a ‘bath’ in UV light until the resin is completely hardened on the outside and inside.
The progress is shown on top of the lid, so you know approximately which stage you are in and how much time is left. If you accidentally open the cover, the machine will immediately stop and continue only when the door is closed.
What could they improve?
Honestly, I would have preferred if the cleaning agent tank had been built into the Oceanus or if it had been something attachable and integrated into the unit. The two tubes coming out of the machine complicate things, not to mention that the external tank can tip over more easily. When I first connected the pipes, I didn’t tighten them too well, and after an hour of use, I noticed a puddle of water on the table. Luckily, it wasn’t IPA, as it could have ruined the shine of the lacquered surface.
Another design problem is the hardwired external power adapter. It isn’t practical when you move the machine, or it becomes faulty and needs to be replaced.
The touch control is elegant and easy to use. Still, a mobile app that allows remote monitoring and control of the machine would definitely improve the user experience, especially if you run a small business and want to monitor a fleet of Oceanus. The touchscreen control with status LEDs on the top is hardly visible when sitting in a chair. In my opinion, a front location would be more appropriate.
My existing resin printer has a build of 219x1229x220mm, and if I print in full size, it doesn’t fit inside the Oceanus. Another issue I found was with the shelf that holds the models. Small models or thinner parts of printed objects, such as a sword, can pass through the holes in the shelf and reach the fan that mixes the water, risking their breakage by the blades or jamming the motor.
I read on Reddit that someone who used 99% isopropyl alcohol as a cleaning agent for a longer period started experiencing leakage problems. He received a replacement unit from EIBOS, but the same issue occurred with the second Oceanus. The manufacturer should indicate the safe concentration of IPA for use.
Pricing and availability
The Oceanus was first introduced in January 2023 as a Kickstarter crowdfunding project that attracted 257 backers. Currently, it is available for purchase directly from the manufacturer’s online store for $280.00, offering customers the convenience of choosing from US, EU, UK, and AU warehouses.
EIBOS 3D Oceanus: Key features
- [3-in-1 automatic resin post-processing] The station cleans, dries, and Cures the loaded models following the preset program without human intervention.
- [Automatic Liquid System with Spilling Prevent Design] The machine can automatically fill and drain the cleaning agents (water or IPA/Ethanol). A custom-designed high-power pump is used to enable fast pumping and draining. It can avoid volatilization, minimize odor, and prevent polluting the working environment. The Oceanus includes water level sensors that can automatically detect the water level. There are three detection levels: low, medium, and high. The operation of these sensors depends on the configured settings.
- [Powerful Water and IPA/Ethanol Cleaning] The freshly printed resin model often retains excess resin. Oceanus features a high-torque motor, ensuring thorough cleaning from every angle without missing any spots and preventing accidental damage during the cleaning process.
- [Efficient Drying] A custom-designed large fan operating at 7000 RPM generates powerful airflow that removes residual liquid from the model’s surface, allowing it to dry and be ready for curing.
- [All-Round UV Curing] The Oceanus is equipped with 96 neatly arranged 405nm UV lamp beads on all four walls of its cavity. The UV light emitted during the curing process ensures efficient 360° model curing in a short amount of time.
Who is worth buying such a 3D printing accessory for?
A 3-in-1 resin cleaning, drying, and curing station is handy for:
- Hobbyists: Those who use resin 3D printers for personal projects, model-making, or collectibles benefit from an all-in-one station to streamline post-processing.
- Educational institutions: Schools or universities with 3D printing labs can provide students with an efficient way to clean and cure their prints without needing multiple separate machines.
- Artists and designers: They can enhance the post-processing of intricate resin prints for art, jewelry, or design prototypes.
- Dental and medical labs: These stations are ideal for cleaning and curing dental molds, surgical guides, and other medical models printed with resin.
- Small businesses: Businesses that create custom resin parts, prototypes, or small-scale production items can save time and space with a combined unit.
Safety Precautions
While resin printing is straightforward, it involves hazards that must be taken seriously. The resins are toxic and should be handled with gloves in a well-ventilated area. Items contaminated with uncured resin pose an environmental hazard and should be cured before disposal in general trash. Uncured resins harm marine life and must not be washed down the drain. Additionally, high-proof isopropyl alcohol used in cleaning is highly flammable and should be kept away from heat sources and open flames. Another safety consideration is that the high-power 405nm UV curing light can harm the eyes and skin.
The design features of the EIBOS Oceanus aim to reduce user exposure to these hazards. Although wearing gloves is still necessary when transferring the printed parts from the printer to the station, the rest of the process is automated, reducing the risk of exposure to resin or UV light.
You Can Trust Our Reviews!
Since 2014, FirstQuadcopter has reviewed, thoroughly tested, and rated hundreds of products, including drones, gimbals, power stations, action cameras, 3D printers, video lights, and other high-tech gear to help you make better buying decisions.
We don’t do paid reviews or agree to affiliate links. All products are tested fairly and equally, and if anything changes over time, I will update the written reviews.
As always, if you found this review helpful, don’t forget to like, share, comment, and bookmark for more content like this!