Small VAT System for Prusa SL1 / SL1S

Overview

The Small VAT system is a technical solution using a reduced-size resin vat and printing platform, designed for printing with a very small amount of resin. Printing is possible with as little as 5–10 g of resin, making this system especially suitable for development and testing of new resins.

The system can be swapped with the original vat and printing platform without any firmware or software modifications.

3D Printed Components

The system consists of the following parts:

• 2× Distance_Tube

• 1× Foil_Mount

• 1× Printing_Platform

• 1× Small_VAT

• 1× Display_Mount

Material and Print Settings

The choice of material depends on the intended composition of the resin being tested. I personally use PETG.

Recommended print settings:

Standard parts: 2 perimeters, 15% infill

Printing_Platform (higher mechanical load): 3 perimeters, 25% infill

Assembly

Printing Platform Assembly

1. Insert 4× M4 nuts into the Printing_Platform part.

2. Place a metal disc into the top recess to distribute the clamping force when tightening the platform.

   • I use a Czech 1 CZK coin.

   • By using a coin of a higher value your VAT system will increase its value too :-)

3. Glue a standard microscope slide (76 × 26 mm) to the bottom of the platform.

   • Cyanoacrylate (super glue) works well.

4. After the glue has cured, lightly roughening the glass surface with fine sandpaper is recommended to improve print adhesion.

5. Remove the original upper clamping part from the aluminum Prusa SL1 / SL1S printing platform.

6. Attach it to the printed Printing_Platform using the original screws.

VAT Assembly

1. Stretch an FEP film over the Small_VAT.

   • You can use original Prusa FEP film or any compatible alternative.

2. The FEP sheet should be slightly larger than the Foil_Mount part.

3. Place the Foil_Mount on the film and mark the positions of the screw holes.

4. Create the holes either by:

   • Carefully piercing the film with a screw, or

   • Drilling the holes.

5. Remove the protective layers from the FEP film.

6. Place the film onto the Small_VAT.

7. Using stainless steel screws M3×13 TX10 and the Foil_Mount, tension the film in the same way as on the original Prusa resin vat.

Installation in the Printer

1. Place the assembled Small_VAT onto the printer display.

2. Press it down from the top using the Display_Mount.

3. Slide the Distance_Tube parts onto the original vat mounting screws.

4. Tighten the entire assembly carefully against the display.

Printing with the Small VAT System

• Before starting a print, disable resin level detection in the printer menu.

• Calibrate the printer using the standard calibration procedure.

• During printing, fill the vat to approximately half of its height.

• When printing larger objects, additional resin may need to be added during the print.

• Over time, the printed material may become brittle and can eventually break. It is recommended to have at least one spare Printing_Platform prepared in advance.

If you build this system or improve it, feel free to share your results.

Feedback and refinements are welcome!