Creality Ender 3 Review – The introduction of Creality Ender 3 is the current sensation among printer lovers. People with a keen interest in the 3 D printers are curious to know about this latest addition.
The budget-friendly terms under $ 200 make it a remarkable catch undoubtedly. So right, here we are going to review the same. And enlighten you why should you use it.
Features:
- The first quality that makes the 3 D printer stand out from the bandwagon is its cheap price. You can luckily get such a top-notch printer within $ 199. In fact, some of the online stores do boast of saying that this model is much affordable compared to the earlier version Ender 2.
- The distinction between the Ender 2 and Ender 3 though less but worth saying. The latest version Ender 3 comprises of aluminum frame and an individual lead- screw that drives the z-axis from the left-hand side of the frame. Compared to that the Ender 2 had cantilever design that put the X-axis extruded in the air. The best is that the Ender 3 always accomplishes the loop and keeps the frame in a closed position.
- One more underlining feature of Creality Ender 3 is that it is fully capacitated to resume printing even after losing connectivity.
- If you look at the right-hand side of the printer you will see that it has the LCD display screen along with a wheel regulator. Indeed this feature makes the 3 D printer look more appealing and compact in terms of size.
- Truly, it is one of the first in the ranges of Chinese 3 D printer, which is open source.
- Until now, you understood that it is amazing, but we need to test it to prove its efficiency at the best.
Unboxing:
We got startled about how a compactly designed 3 D printer had a small-sized box yielding generous volume output.
While unboxing we noticed that each of its parts and tools was finely packed with foam. The rest that we explored from unboxing are the following:
- Manually equipped USB stick along with the testing models
- Other items like the small-sized screwdrivers, hex- keys, and wrencher.
- White-colored PLA filament sample
- Nozzle cleaning tool
- Cable cutters
- Zip tier
- Nozzle assortments
- A spatula
We were highly pleased to get the additional nozzle cleaning tool at the price range.
Assembly:
It is one of the pre-assembled kits among the various other 3 d printing models. But don’t fully comply with the idea that it is completely pre-assembled because we had to tweak it to some extent. So we can say that it is a semi-assembled 3D printer.
The assemblage process came with some steps to follow. Somehow it lacked that detailing. Considering the installation and bed level the whole thing will take an hour or two for a naïve.
In order to do it with ease, you need to segregate the whole installation process into a few categories such as wiring, assembling machines, installation of the belt, assembling the X-axis, and the frame.
Firstly, with the help of the 20×40 extruded aluminum pieces need to put the frames together in places. Then tie that to the other frames with the help of two screws on either side.
Do it very smoothly by turning the printer base. Also, try easily adjusting the aluminum into pre-drilled areas.
In the next step, you need to adjust the LCD screen and the power supply enhancement. However, it is not tough as you can impeccably do that with the help of the instructions on the manual.
Then you have to set up the Z motor as well as the Z Limit to the left portion of the frame. Make sure to mount the z limit switch accurately on the vertical beam side maintaining a dimension of 32 mm from the base of the Creality ender 3.
In order to put the calibration in the right order, you have to adjust the Z limit accurately otherwise a bit of maladjustment might lead to a printing issue. You have to attach the z motor just at the rear portion of the left-sided vertical shaft.
You need to handle the lead screws very minutely as they were already greased. In addition to that, you should carefully install the Z-axis motor bearings keeping it moderately tight to make the rail operate flawlessly.
The next step is to assemble the part of the X assembly. Now, this portion needs attention. You will observe that there are two shafts with two accurate dimensions.
However, you will find only one part with the pre-drilled mole. Coming to the mounting on the left portion, you will see that there are two motors, one is the X-axis and the other is the extruder.
Along with that, you will find from nowhere a Facebook QR code there as well.
Now to adjust the X shaft you have to position the wheels properly. Make sure the wheels should glide smoothly from one to another.
If it shows any snag just tweak the same with nuts at the back of the wheels. Next, install the tensioner belt and the mounting bracket on the right portion of the shaft.
Now set up the G 2 belt on the X-axis with the help of the golden clamp. You will find these clamps just at the bottom of the extruding carriage.
Once done now roll it very smoothly so that the belt glides beneath the wheel and the vacant space.
Repeat the same thing while installing the number 2 wheel, just set it up on the other section of the belt underneath the carriage.
You will find a pulley on either side of the X-axis to wrap up the belt. That also assures easy movement of the extruder.
Eventually, just put all these in one place and mount the holder of the filament on the upper portion
Design:
Talking, about the design of the Creality Ender 3 note, it is minimalistic and compact. Fundamentally, you will come across two integral parts one is the power supply end and the other is the principal board.
This is attached to the X and Y-axis respectively to offer stability to the machine. You will find that the chief board is finely snugged beneath the printer, which gives an appealingly sleek finish.
It is also equipped with the V slotted wheels that move along the extruded aluminum portions. It again assures smooth movement during the process of printing. Definitely, the robust look of the printer is quite impressive.
But the most disgusting part is that you may find the base of the Creality Ender 3 getting tottered. Remember that this is a generic problem and not that it is with any particular kit.
You can try to balance the base with some extra enhancement but that might make the base more disturbing.
But you can easily solve that wobbling issue by balancing it with a paper made wedge. Indeed the instability is the main hitch of the 3 D printer. And honestly, that becomes the major flaw of the 3D printer.
Styling of the frame improves the design of the 3 D printer. It is attached to the mods and extras that improve the design. But it does not impact its basic printing process, performance, and movement.
Note that the belt tooth has gold clamps that offer easy mounting. Additionally, you can use the tier on top of the fitting to strengthen the belt tensioner performance.
Note that proper belt-tightening will assure flawless quality when it comes to printing.
The extruder is also indeed eye-catching. Even a style called Bowden being used to tighten the loose filaments. Though the filament is efficacious, still you would find it tough to instill the materials into the tapered route.
For momentary results, you can opt for separating the Bowden from the filament tube.
You need to tweak the large-sized knobs manually to level the beds. Beneath each of the corner portions of the Creality, there is a decent-sized platform with easily adjustable turning knobs.
These make the calibration process easily understandable like human calibration. Most important is that the dial pops out from beneath the bed and you can label it in the desired direction by lowering or raising the bed.
You need to resort to the LCD panel to move the Y and X-axis in each of the corners. That you can do easily with the help of the A4 sheet paper to determine whether you want to keep the print bed low or high.
If you place the paper beneath the nozzle, you should see that the paper might be scratched.
The control panel option comes with arrays of set designs. However, that control panel at times behaves crookedly. You would see that the dial misses the settings that it was chosen to do.
It skips that and clicks the other one. Even the control panel itself comes with a snag that means it might delay or may freeze.
Despite all these, the LCD screen display is the best feature in the Creality End 3. Moreover, you can navigate that one very easily as well.
One more feature that will draw attention is the extruding filament. This one is super cool to use especially when you want to change the filaments.
This helps to wipe off the earlier sediments from the nozzle in an efficient way. But there is a way out to extrude the filament directly from the area of the control panel as well. This helps to reduce the issue.
The last thing that you should consider is the sound of the Creality Ender 3. Compared to all others, this particular set is slightly louder. In fact, if you switch on the 3D printer, you will hear the booming noise.
First Prints
Well, now it is an important section where we will elaborate on the printing test. We did use the 3D printing test with Benchy as well as black PLA Matterhackers to execute the printing test.
The first attempt was pretty good but the Benchy was a bit strange one. But in the second try, we got a smooth Benchy.
No doubt, the printer performs well while managing the bridges as well as the overhangs. However, the surface did not look much even it was a bit wavy with patterns.
Then we discovered it was due to the loosening effect of the X belt. To make it work properly we added a zip tier to include tension.
On the final take, we got a smooth and even Benchy. But it had a height of 15mm. certainly, we were much satiated without last try.
It really surpassed all other 3D Benchy designs. In the beginning, there was an error with elephant footing but we realized that it was due to the unevenness in the calibration.
Three- important phases of Benchy in the Black PLA Matterhackers
In order to add a lot more brightness to the printing, we sorted to use the Matterhackers Blue PLA. That means we chose to print a carabiner.
But in the beginning, somehow we were tired of the adhesion issue. Later we decided to use the adhesion sprayer called 3 DLAC. In addition, luckily that resolved the problem.
Carabiners with the PLA Blue Matterhackers:
As we decided to replace the PLA, we thought to rely on the ABS the material that worked at a higher temperature.
We took the 3 D print version of the Flexi- Rex with the help of CCTREE green ABS. We were able to print the dinosaur with superb flexibility supported by several joints.
However, one problem came up that is there was a fracture underneath the layers of the dinosaur head.
CCTREE ABS for Flexi Rex:
After perfecting the calibration, we thought to get the 3D print of the Waving – Groot. For that, we decided to use the corkfill color fabb.
Although the head of the Groot was half missing, the rest of the print was fine and the wood- fill print turned out superbly.
More Printing
So far we did printing with the PLS now we decided to make some enhancement in the material.
The primary 3D printing we did was with the flexible gray material like the pokemon having 6 SD cards, Though we thought that it would be difficult to print with the semi-flexible ones but completed that with fineness.
But had to struggle a bit with adjust the card slots but that was resolved the later.
Printing Bender With Ngen Flexcolorfabb:
Though we were successful to build each of the parts without much difficulty. But there was a bit layering problem on the antenna located on the head top and right portion of the leg.
After gluing each part, the Bender was looking amazing.
In our next experiment, we included the ABS pink filament from the CCTREE. With this, we printed the cluster model.
Initially had to struggle a bit but the incorporation of the proper adhesive actually helped to get the pristine colored crystals?
Blue PETG from Rigid.Ink to print Benchy on the sailing high on the seas:
While doing this print, the Creality Ender 3 beautifully managed the PETG and turned out the coolest waves so far.
Note that Creality Ender 3 should improvise their nozzle. Otherwise, within this range of $200, this is the pocket-friendly collection so far.
Tech Specs
The specification follows
- Technology: Supports FDM
- Print Area Dimension :220 x 220 x 250mm
- Nozzle measurement:4mm
- Filament tubes:75mm PLA, ABS, TPU
- Maximum Printing Speed:200mm/s
- Maximum Resolution layer:1mm
- Precision printing:+/-0.1mm
- Bed heated:Yes
- Connection:USB, SD card
- LCD Display Screen:Yes
Software
Before summing up the Creality Ender 3 review, we will like to draw some attention to the software used in the printing device. Our focus is on the settings called a slicer.
While searching on Google on the pre-installed slicer settings for the UltimakerCura, we actually did not come across any such printer capacitated to use the slicer – software.
Moreover, the USB we got along with the 3D printer was for Cura but was able to download for Windows only. The manufacturer did not provide the exact resource to facilitate the downloading of the slicing- software.
But we luckily got the slicing setting on YouTube it was due to the popularity of the Creality Ender 3.
Before incorporating the Creality Ender 3 Printer as a customized FDM to the CURA, make sure that the diameter of the nozzle should be between 1.75 to 2.85mm.
If you omit this small thing, then you might not expect to get the anticipated quality of printing. Overall, the cura worked perfectly well.
Where to Buy
Definitely, the Creality Ender 3 is a budget-friendly 3 D printer with well stout features. Despite that, it has flaws that are pretty easy to tackle with minor improvisations.
Beginners can actually get the majority of the privilege after installing the FDM 3D printer.
However, the market has lots of alternatives, but you should rely on this for great quality prints. Additionally, it is user friendly to use as well.
Without ambiguity, you only find a handful of ones that stand the criteria of the Creality Ender 3 at this budget. So it is time to get one for yourself as well and experience fun-filled 3D printing.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- The price of the Creality Ender 3 is unbelievably reasonable
- The printing volume output is superb
- You can get fine quality prints.
- It follows the open-source method
- There is wonderful compatibility between the flexible and tight filaments
- The assembling process is very easy.
- The design of the printer is composed
- Enhances upgrades available in the 3 D prints
Cons:
- Leveling is an issue with the 3 d printer.
- In order to cling to beds sometimes, you need to use adhesive material.
- Calibration has to be done manually.
- One needs to re-level the fragile bed from time to time.
Verdict:
After investing time on the Creality Ender 3d printer, somehow we are anxious to garner more knowledge about the same. Our explorations were not easy as few roller coasters were there.
But luckily the difficulties we faced were easily manageable. Undoubtedly it is an exclusive 3D printer considering the price tag $ 200.
A couple of attributes altogether make it a noteworthy addition in the printer world. Firstly its printing volume structure comes with a dimension of 220 x 220 x 250mm.
Additionally, it has the Build tak heating plate followed by a power recovery button and the tighter filament path.
The tighter filament is superb inclusion as it makes easy to print with any type of flexible item. Even you won’t find these qualities in many of the costliest printers as well.
We included a few things like ABS, PETG, PLA along with the flexible filaments in our experimentation process. Though we faced a hitch with the ABS and wooden filaments. However, we managed to print comfortably.
Talking about its installation definitely, it is hassle-free. Though it depends on the human calibration the prolonged bed level knobs simplifies the whole process.
As soon as we balanced the calibration no doubt this range of 3 D printer was all set to compete with the $ 1000 ranges.
But the unequal base is one of the issues that make the whole 3 D printer sway from its place. Since we witnessed the problem, we tried to balance it with a wedge.
Definitely, it is a matter of concern for the users because somehow it’s going to impact the 3D printer quality on the whole.
Besides these issues, we did not encounter anything notable in regards to Creality Ender 3.
It is one of the most feasible options for the amateur. No doubt, it comes with defects but its affordability makes it congenial.
Definitely, it is worth to invest in this typical printer as you can aspire to get top quality printing. In fact, it underwent lots of upgradation as well.
Note that the disposable heated bed with inbuilt magnets and the additional improved tool along the Y-axis guarantee smooth printing.
To be honest Creality Ender 3 is the right catch with affordability and quality. Though you need to keep calm and have to add some improvisation to make it work beyond the box. That’s it for Creality render 3 printer!
