February 16, 2026

Project Salvage: The Voxelab Proxima Post-Mortem

Epoch Score Totaled

The Incident

It only takes a single split in a FEP sheet for a 3D printer to go from a tool to a disaster. I was halfway through an overnight run, printing a Stitch bust and a Pikachu in Anycubic Clear Red ABS-Like resin. These were designed with internal cavities for USB-powered LEDs—intended to be a pair of nightlights for the children.

Instead, the resin bypassed the LCD and compromised the internal glass separator. In the lab, we have to make the call: Repair or Salvage?

The Repair Ceiling

With a replacement 2K LCD costing ~£35 and the glass separator being proprietary/unobtainable, the cost of repair exceeded 60% of the machine’s market value. Decision: Decommission.

The Salvage Manifest

Like any true electronics salvage operation, nothing goes to waste. I’ve stripped the machine down to its core modules, bagging and tagging every screw and standoff.

1. Motion & Structure

  • NEMA 17 Stepper Motor: High torque, standard 4-pin.
  • MGN12 Linear Rail: 150mm of smooth, precision travel.
  • Lead Screw (8mm): Integrated with the coupling.
  • Hardware Bin: All M3/M4 hex screws, standoffs, and supports were sorted into the “Misc Metal” library.

2. Electronics & Optics

  • Chitu Mainboard & Powerboard: Both survived the spill.
  • 3.5” Touchscreen: Ribbon cable intact.
  • UV Matrix: 405nm ParaLED array (Prime candidate for a custom cure box).
  • Power Supply: The external brick is a perfect 12V/24V bench supply for future custom projects.

3. External Parts

  • Aluminum Vat: The FEP was sacrificed, but the metal frame is pristine. It’s now a spare for any compatible 6.08” LCD machine.

Organ Donation: The bagged components ready for the parts library.

Final Timeline

Acquired
Second-hand rescue project.
First Success
Completed test prints: Articulated axolotl and a Frankenstein bust.
Catastrophe
FEP breach during overnight nightlight print run (Stitch & Pikachu).
Salvaged
Stripped for parts. Hardware bagged and tagged.

The Next Epoch

One might think a catastrophic spill like this would be enough to pack it in and stick to FDM printing. But in this lab, failure is just a data point. My resin printing journey isn’t shattered; it’s simply pivoting.

I’m taking the lessons learned from the Proxima—specifically around FEP maintenance and spill prevention—and looking toward the next machine. I am currently scouting for certified refurbished units from brands like Elegoo. It fits the Tiny Epoch mission perfectly: finding professional-grade hardware that needs a second chance at life, but perhaps with a bit more modern reliability than the old Proxima.

The lab is already cleaner, the parts are bagged, and the search for the next rescue project has begun.

Stay tuned.