We will begin production as soon as the Kickstarter Campaign is complete. We already have production facilities established and have been testing the printer hardware, software and electronics for over 1 year.

We have our own Discord server for messaging and communication with other Athena users.

Athena Customer Support can be reached by emailing info@concepts3d.ca Support is provided from our offices in Canada and Germany. You can also reach us at our Discord Server and our Website's Live Chat during working hours.

We offer a 1-year warranty that begins from the date you receive your printer. Please note: The vat/tank film, LCD tape, and resin are consumable technology which is NOT covered by this warranty. The Main LCD is covered by a 3 month warranty. All other components of the printer are covered by the warranty. In the event of a defect, we will ship you replacement parts free of charge. It does not void the warranty for you to open your printer and perform maintenance. Our printers were designed to be user-friendly both inside and out. Warranty does not cover wilful damages, damages due to accident, normal wear and tear, improper care, or misuse. If you wish to have us repair or perform maintenance on your printer for you, we are happy to do so. We will provide parts and labour, but you must cover the round trip shipping costs and parts not under warranty. You may use your preferred carrier. Please note that Concepts 3D Systems Inc. will not be responsible for any damage caused by unattended 3d printers.

Athena hardware is made in China, the final assembly of the electronics and quality control will be done in Canada and Germany.

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam.

With its advanced smart force sensor system, Athena is able to achieve 40-60% lower total printing times compared to other mSLA printers. Actual printing times will vary depending on the geometry and type of 3D model, the resin used and other factors.

Athena has an advanced sensor system and AI detection algorithms which allows it to dynamically adjust printing parameters. This allows it to improve printing success, speed and reliability. Currently Athena supports the following Smart Features. More to come in the future. Release Detection: Athena can detect the separation of the printed model from the vat film, so it is able to dynamically adjust the lifting height of each layer to ensure full separation and stop lifting as soon as release has occurred. This can improve print reliability and decrease printing times by up to 60% Dynamic Wait Times: Athena will dynamically adjust the before layer exposure wait times. This can have a dramatic effect on the print quality, by waiting until the resin has stopped flowing before exposure, we can reduce the blooming effect exhibited by resin 3D printers. Crash Detection: Athena can prevent LCD damage due to debris or a model forgotten on the build plate during the start of a print. Athena will stop the movement of the build plate if it detects a large force during its lowering cycle and notify the user to check and clean the build plate and vat before proceeding. Resin Level Detection: Athena will check the level of the resin in the vat before starting a print to ensure there is enough resin to complete the print. If there is not, it will notify the user to add more resin.

Athena uses a high-intensity UV LED that has a rated lifespan of around 10,000 hours of use. This is equivalent to several years of continuous printing, depending on the frequency and duration of use.

The lifespan of the LCD screen in Athena will depend on several factors, such as the printing frequency, the exposure to UV light, and the operating conditions of the printer. In general, the LCD screen is rated for several thousand hours of use, which can translate to several years of regular printing. However, the actual lifespan may vary depending on the factors mentioned above.

The frequency of vat film replacement will depend on several factors, such as the brand and quality of the film, the printing frequency, the types of resins used, and the size and complexity of the printed objects. In general, the vat film used in Athena will eventually degrade over time due to prolonged exposure to UV light and the corrosive properties of the resin. It may also become scratched or damaged during printing, which can affect the quality of the prints. We recommend replacing the vat film after approximately 25-50 prints, although this can vary depending on the factors mentioned above. Some users may find that they need to replace the film more frequently if they are printing large or complex objects, or if they are using particularly harsh resins that can degrade the film more quickly. To prolong the lifespan of the vat film, it is important to handle it carefully and avoid exposing it to direct sunlight or other sources of UV light when not in use. Additionally, using high-quality resins and cleaning the vat regularly can help to minimize wear and tear on the film.

Yes, Athena fully supports 2D and 3D Anti-Aliasing from any slicer and its on-board slicer.

Athena can work with a wide range of resin types, with its user adjustable UV LED light power levels (PWM), Athena can output between 1-9mW/cm2 which allows it to work with all 405nm LCD and DLP resins, and some SLA resins.

To use Athena, you will need several items, in addition to the printer itself: Resin: Athena requires liquid resin that is cured layer by layer to create the final object. There are many types of resins available, including standard resins, flexible resins, and tough resins, among others. It is important to choose a resin that is compatible with your Athena and your specific printing needs. Vat: The included vat is a container that holds the liquid resin during the printing process. It is made of Aluminum and has a removable film that needs to be replaced periodically. Build platform: The included build platform is the surface on which the printed object is built. It needs to be clean and level to ensure accurate printing. Slicing software: Athena requires 3D models to be sliced into thin layers before printing. Slicing software is used to accomplish this, and it allows you to adjust settings such as layer thickness, print speed, and support structures. Athena has an on-board slicer, or you can use most other 3rd party slicers. Cleaning supplies: Resin printing can be messy, and it is important to have cleaning supplies on hand, such as gloves, paper towels, and cleaning agents, to clean up spills and remove excess resin from the printer and printed objects. UV curing: Once the object is printed, it will need to be cured further with UV light to fully harden the resin. There are many methods and equipment used for this purpose. Safety equipment: Resin printing can involve hazardous chemicals and UV light exposure, so it is important to use appropriate safety equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, and a respirator, to protect yourself from harm. By having these items, you can fully utilize Athena and create high-quality objects.

A resin 3D printer, also known as masked stereolithography (mSLA) 3D printer, works by using a liquid resin that is hardened layer by layer using a UV light source. It uses an LCD screen to selectively cure the resin in the desired shape of each layer, rather than using a UV laser or light projector. Here are the steps involved in the printing process of an LCD resin 3D printer: Model creation: A 3D digital model is created using computer-aided design (CAD) software. Slicing: The 3D model is sliced into thin layers using slicing software. Printing: The printer uses a vat of liquid resin and an LCD screen that displays the shape of the first layer. The LCD screen emits UV light, selectively curing the resin in the shape of the layer. The build platform is then raised, and the process is repeated layer by layer until the entire object is printed. Post-processing: Once the object is printed, it is removed from the printer and excess resin is removed. The object is then typically cured further with UV light to fully harden it. LCD resin 3D printers are generally faster than laser or projector-based resin printers, and they can produce high-quality prints with fine details and smooth surfaces. They are also relatively affordable and easy to use, making them a popular choice for hobbyists and small businesses

No, you can upload an STL file directly to the printer from a USB stick. Athena will slice and prepare the model for printing without the need for a computer. Though it is recommended that you use a computer to prepare the 3D model, add supports, orient and layout your models and save to an STL. You can also upload directly to the printer from a computer.

Athena will launch with its on-board slicer, the computer based Slicer from NanoDLP called NanoSupport and the popular Lychee Slicer.