NXE 400Pro vs. Carbon M2 and M3

When it comes to industrial resin 3D printers that produce fast and repeatable results, the NXE 400Pro and M2 / M3 / Max are the two most commonly used printers. Here is a simple comparison between the two systems to help you determine which one is better for your particular application.

Nexa3D NXE 400Pro large-volume resin 3D printer

Nexa3D® NXE 400Pro

Ideal for production facilities that require highest throughput, largest build area, and an open material platform. Also, ideal for those looking to own and not lease their 3D printing equipment.

Carbon3D M2 and M3 3D Printer

Carbon® M2 and M3

The M2 and M3 is the latest version of the Carbon DLP printer. Its build volume and therefore throughput is significantly lower than that of the NXE 400Pro. Available on lease basis only.

Carbon3D M3 Max 3D Printer

Carbon® M3 Max

The M3 Max is the larger version of M3 but still smaller than the build area of the NXE 400Pro. Available on lease-basis only.

Compare Specs

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Nexa3D
NXE 400Pro

Carbon3D
M2 and M3

Carbon3D
M3 Max

Technology

LSPcCLIPCLIP

Build Volume

275 x 155 x 400 mm (17 L)189 x 118 x 326 mm (7.2 L)307 x 163 x 326 mm (16.3 L)

Pixel Size

75 microns75 microns75 microns

Min. Layer Height

50 microns50 microns50 microns

Materials

Open with unlimited 3rd party resin options and 13 verified engineering resins*Closed with 28 resins (14 dental, 14 engineering)†Closed with 28 resins (14 dental, 14 engineering)†

Material Vat Life

1-2 years24 hours†24 hours†

Post-Print Material Bake Time

Not required^8-12 hours†8-12 hours†

Preferred Geometries

Latticed or SolidLatticedLatticed

Software

NexaX ProDesign EngineDesign Engine

Price

$62,895$150,000 (3-year lease only)$225,000 (3-year lease only)

*Dental resins are available with the NXD 200Pro model which is specifically engineered for dental labs.
†10 of 14 resins are two part resins that require manual mixing and have limited pot life.
^xPEEK is the unique NXE 400Pro resin that requires a post-print bake of ~3 hours.

Cost Comparison

Carbon M2, M3 and M3 Max are available exclusively on a 3-year lease basis which results in a minimum of $150,000 over that term (or $225,000 for the Max). By comparison, the NXE 400Pro industrial 3D printer is available for one-time purchase at $62,895, making it just 77% less expensive than the smaller M2/M3 and 88% less than the similarly sized (albeit smaller build volume) M3 Max over the life of the hardware.

Get Started

Carbon M3 Pricing

3D Printing Technologies

 

Nexa3D LSPc Technology

Nexa3D Ultrafast LSPc 3D Printer Technology

Lubricant Sublayer Photo-curing utilizes a proprietary membrane that reduces peel forces enabling high-speed 3D printing for parts small and large, solid and latticed. An industrial LED light engine further enables high resolution and high precision 3D printing.

Carbon3D CLIP Technology

Carbon3D CLIP

CLIP is a form of DLP 3D printing that utilizes on oxygen permeable membrane to create a ‘dead zone’ that prevents resin from attaching to the window. This enables high speed 3D printing but also is mostly limited to latticed parts due to the limits of oxygen permeability. The single projector chip can also cause warping at the edges due to the severe angle.

Materials Overview

Nexa3D NXE Series Build Volume

NXE Pro Series

The NXE Pro series resins are available in a variety of high detail modeling and high performance engineering materials. They are single part, photopolymers meaning they can sit in the vat for 1-2 years, and upon print completion only require basic washing and curing. The NXE Pro series uses an open material platform.

Carbon3D M3 Build Volume

M2 and M3 Series

The M2 and M3 series resins are available in high detail modeling and high performance engineering materials. They are mostly 2-part photopolymers meaning they will quickly expire once in the vat if unused after 24 hours. In addition to basic washing and curing, the 2-part resins also require an 8-12 hour baking cycle. The M2 and M3 series does not have an open material platform.

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NXE 400Pro Ultrafast Industrial 3D Printer