As 3D printer designs go, the Ender 3 is a reworking of the same concept that Creality developed with the previous Ender models and the CR-10 series machines. It differs from typicalPrusastyle designs in only having a singleZ-axishelical shaft, relying instead on angled bearings to keep the horizontal support arm at 90 degrees to the vertical. The minimum layer height of 100 microns allows for some very detailed models to be printed, and the process can be controlled by PC over USB, or fromG-codefilesstored on a microSD card. The Creality Ender 3 V3 SE has popped up as an alternative to the Ender-3 V2 series by featuring a maximum print speed of 250 mm/s and an“optimized” UI that shows auto-leveling progress and printing parameters.

The Qidi Tech X-Pro looks almost like a regular printer, save for its futuristic colour scheme. It’s neatly self-contained, compact enough to sit on your desk at home and easy to operate thanks to its 4.3in touchscreen.In addition to the tools and spares is an 8GB microSD card with documentation, software and demo files. Creality even throws in a microSD card to USB adapter. Dual Z-axis synced by a quality timing belt, ensuring high print quality. Auto Filament Loading / Unloading Key specs – Printing type: Dual-extruder FDM; Print materials: 1.75mm ABS, PLA, PETG; Nozzle diameter: 0.4mm; Print resolution: 0.1mm; Quoted printing speed: Not stated; Print volume (WDH): 230 x 150 x 150mm; Printer dimensions (WDH): 550 x 360 x 550mm; Interface: 4.3in colour touchscreen; Connectivity: Micro USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi Another question is whether you want a neatly self-contained printer or one where the workings are exposed for all to see. The latter style is easier to maintain, and if you’re into engineering and gadgetry you may prefer the look. However, 3D printing involves moving mechanical parts, and the extrusion unit can heat up to above 250°C – so an enclosed model is more appropriate for a domestic setting. An enclosed design will also minimise the noise from whirring motors and cooling fans. How does a 3D printer work?

Please clean the fan blades, apply lubricant (grease) to the lead screw and clean the throat (3-6 months) regularly. The latest brainchild of Creality sports a build volume of 220 x 220 x 250 mm, auto-leveling, a direct-drive extruder, a dual Z-axis, dual linear Y-axis shafts, and automatic filament loading and unloading. Key specs – Printing type: Single-extruder FDM; Print materials: 1.75mm PLA, MakerBot Tough PLA, bronze fill, copper fill, wood fill; Nozzle diameter: 0.4mm; Print resolution: 0.1mm; Quoted printing speed: Not stated; Print volume (WDH): 295 x 195 x 165mm; Printer dimensions (WDH): 528 x 441 x 410mm; Interface: 3in colour LCD with control dial; Connectivity: USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi You don’t need to be an expert engineer to put it together, either: no soldering is required, all cables come pre-cut to length, and there’s an active online forum where you can ask questions and draw on other users’ experiences. And whenever the MK3S’ next-generation successor is released, Prusa will even help you buy and fit the necessary parts to upgrade your existing unit. Creality provides a full toolkit for the printer, including a Hex key set, a couple of small spanners, a screwdriver and even some modelling snips. You won’t need any additional tools, and the firm also provides at least one extra bolt or nut of all those you might require.

Creality's New Printer Ender 3 S1 Unboxing

Once we’d got the machine dialled-in, and it took us a few tries, we were able to produce a good first layer time after time. But the problem with the Ender 3 which caused us the most headaches was one that confronts most people trying to print in 3D–bed levelling.Designs like thePrusai3, and its clones, have automatic bed levelling, and it won’t take long to envy those with that feature. The placement of the microSD card slot isn’t ideal, andanormalspecificationSDcard readerwould have been a better option.

UI Languages: English, French, Portuguese, Turkish, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese Smaller to place around, but Creality Ender-3 V3 SE 3D printer still offers an ample build volume of 220*220*250mm. Optimized UI displays auto-leveling process and printing parameters at a glance. Stable Dual Z-axisLike the Dremel Digilab, the Replicator+ includes a built-in camera so you can monitor your print progress from afar. Support for 20 different file formats means you can work with pre-designed models from any number of sources, and in addition to built-in Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections there’s also cloud support, so you can manage print jobs over the internet – perhaps using the MakerBot Mobile app for Android and iOS. Still, while the Replicator+ isn’t a budget choice, its speed and versatility are impressive: if you’re looking for a 3D printing workhorse, it’s well worth considering. If you are wondering if the generosity of Creality has a limit, it does, and this shows in the tiny sample amount of bundled filament. At just 15g, this isn’t enough to print much of anything, and not enough for the demoG-codefiles of a dog that canbe foundon the microSD card.

For those unfamiliar with this design, the Ender 3 is an FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) 3D printer that comes with a 0.4mm nozzle and can extrude a variety of 1.75mm plastic filament. Most 3D printers are either fully constructed or come as a kit, but the Ender 3 arrives somewhere in the middle.

The most complicated parts, like the hot end and the base,are pre-assembled. However, you do need to finish the frame, add the PSU, mount the Y axis and complete the electronics cabling. Many have commented that this solution could cause variations in the Z positioningof the X-axisthe further from the pivot pointit travels, but the stiffness of theframeworkstocounter this. The Digilab 3D45 isn’t cheap, but it comes from a respected brand and has numerous features to satisfy 3D printing devotees. For one, it can print models of up to 254 x 152 x 170mm in size, and its fully enclosed design emphasises safety and keeps the noise to a minimum. For those looking to take a step up from entry-level 3D printers, the Bambu Lab P1P offers a customizable and advanced 3D printing experience. The P1P borrows from its larger siblings with 20000 mm/s