Introduction:
Shining 3D’s prominence has shot up over the last year due to the release and public success of the Aoralscan Elite. They’ve also backed this up with the MetiSmile – very cost-effective face scanner. I had the chance to try out the Accufab F1, their new flagship DLP printer – a product in direct competition to the existing premium options out there in the dental market. So how does this new printer stack up?
Figure 1: The Accufab F1 – a worthy entry in the premium sector of the market?
Disclaimer:
This is a personal and individual opinion on the Shining 3D Accufab F1. Shining 3D nor any of its global distributors have not been involved in the writing or editing of this piece and have not restricted any conclusions made by myself of this product.
Notable features:
- Straightforward physical set up
- Loud fan during operation and loud alarm upon print completion
- Healthy open resin library that continues to grow
- New vat technologies allow for reduced post-processing
- No mini kit available yet
- Automated slicing has improved substantially from 2024-2025
- Software for Shining3D account owners includes CAD software for splints, IBT’s, models and temporary crowns
Basics:
| Printer size | 33 x 35 x 57.5cm |
| Weight | 153 bananas* |
| Technology | DLP |
| Print volume | Std plate: 19.2 x 12 x 18cm |
| Slicer | Accuware |
| XY resolution | 25 µm |
| Price guide | US$10,000 |
* 1 banana = 0.15kg
Figure 2: I love the mood lighting in this unit
Set up:
Setting up the Accufab F1 was a breeze. It was up and running in minutes.
The unit comes factory levelled but if you ever need to perform that calibration, it is pretty standard and involves loosening 4 hex screws on the build platform and some paper. I was a little surprised it wasn’t more automated. That being said, it’s not rocket science and it’s not hard to do.
The printer UI is nicely laid out with an improved and larger screen. It’s pretty easy to navigate and like it’s predecessor there are only a few settings you can change – probably deliberate to avoid screen clutter and user confusion.
The Accufab F1 utilizes a simple latch system to engage and disengage the build plate which is easy to use. Vats are secured by two clips on the side. To remove the build plate, just push on the two clips on the sides. One of the easiest options in the market to remove and insert a vat.
Wi-Fi connection was straightforward and occurred without a hitch.
Figure 3: 15-minute models are possible with DM012 resin
Software:
The Accufab F1 uses Accuware which was already great when I used it last in 2024 for my play with the Accufab Cel. Performance particularly in the automated processes of this program has improved.
It follows a nice workflow from printer and material selection, object positioning and orientation, supporting and finally exporting/printing.
Support parameters for different printable applications have already been worked out for the user, as well as optimum orientation of each application. What is impressive is the automated slicing function which far more predictable and consistent in late 2025. Shining 3D’s software engineers have certainly been put to work and the results are now showing. When I played around with this function back in 2024, I cautioned against this. However it has improved significantly, and I see no reason why users can’t use this function for most applications, besides surgical guides where you would want to check for supports in the screw channel manually.
There are some basic CAD functions and add-ons to Accuware – namely AccuDesign for models, CreIBT for IBT design, CreTemp for temporary crown design and CreSplint for nightguards and occlusal splints. The model designer and splint app were quite nice but I did feel they were occasionally glitchy at times with bugs preventing me from progressing in the design phase. It’s quite possible they would function better if you happen to use a Shining 3D intraoral scanner, where data appears to be seamlessly transferred into these apps (as opposed to importing them from another intraoral scanner’s data).
Figure 4: Accuware – “One-Click” printing has improved substantially
Resin library:
The Accufab F1 has a healthy third party resin library and I don’t think users will struggle with it. Many popular resins have been validated for this printer, including those from the Keyprint and Pac-Dent ranges. It’s not an expansive list and pales in comparison when compared to the library accessible to the Ackuretta SOL, let alone the Asiga line of printers.
Figure 5: Support generation has improved since I last played with Accuware and supports are super easy to remove and polish off
The printing experience:
The Accufab F1 has its own improved chamber heater which is the standard in dental 3D printers. Unfortunately, the fan during operation is quite loud, so while it is marketed as a chairside 3D printer, it’s hard to justify running prints while patients are around. It also has an obnoxiously loud alarm that plays once a print is done – a setting that cannot be turned off.
Print times were not slow, but for most applications, I wouldn’t say they were super fast either. The exception to this rule is if you use Shining 3D’s own resins. Shining 3D’s model resin DM012 which can be printed on the F1 very quickly – we’re talking 15 minute models quick (100 micron layers). AOX arches printed in their temporary CB11 resin took 25 minutes (100 microns). However, in comparison, the same arch printed out of Rodin Titan took 48 minutes. It’s interesting to point out that the same arch printed out of Bego TriniQ took around 22 minutes, so it is definitely resin/brand-dependent.
Printed results were accurate and honestly, I can’t really fault anything. My printed splints and surgical guides fitted well clinically and on test models.
Like the Cel, the Accufab F1 has access to HyperClear tanks/trays, which are akin to Asiga’s UltraGLOSS and Sprintray’s Optical Polish. A nice move on Shining 3D’s part and I hope other printer manufacturers follow suit. There is unfortunately, at this stage, no mini kit – a surprising omission I must admit.
Figure 6: If it fits, it sits!
As mentioned earlier, the “One-Click” slicing automation has been improved substantially – it’s actually amazing what a year can do when it comes to software development and improvement. However it’s not all perfect. The build plate tends to accumulate resin where you don’t want it to go – small screws which connect the ceramic build plate to the base itself, as well as on top of the build plate. I also wish they had a “gentle close” mechanism with the lid. The noise during operation as well as the print completion alarm were also a little off-putting.
Figure 7: Some gorgeous prints can be achieved with the F1
Conclusion:
Overall, the Accufab F1 is a great contender in the premium section of the dental 3D printer market. It certainly has quite a number of great features to go with it – an improved software experience, Hyperclear vat/tray for splints with that polished finish, chamber heating, a decent resin library etc.
3 points why you should get it:
- Great software workflow
- Accurate and consistent prints
- Healthy open library
3 points why you shouldn’t get it:
- Noisy during operation and upon print completion
- No mini kit so the system is not optimised for same-appointment printing of restorations
- Print times may vary as what is advertised based on resin printed