The cost of 3D printers has been dropping over the years. As 3D printing technology evolves, manufacturers are coming up with new improved models that can achieve significantly more at a lower cost.
The price/performance ratio of CoreXY 3D printers varies greatly depending on the features and performance class.
Here are some things to consider to find the right CoreXY 3D printer for you.
Kit vs. Assembled 3D Printer
Generally, kit 3D printers (those not assembled) are cheaper than those that come fully assembled. However, if you want to go this DIY route, make sure you are familiar with 3D printers in general or are willing to do the groundwork to find out how to assemble your kit.
Most manufacturers offer in-depth instruction manuals on assembling their printers. Therefore, this really shouldn’t be a problem, unless you are going for high-end CoreXY 3D printers, such as the E3D ToolMaker.
Assembling a 3D printer can take from as little as 5 minutes to a couple of hours, depending on the printer as well as your skills. If you would like to print right out of the box, get an already-assembled 3D printer.
You can recognize 3D printer kits from their open design. When printing, an open-design 3D printer loses heat, which means high energy consumption. Moreover, if the printer has no enclosure, you will have to deal with odors from melted plastic. For this reason, we recommend building an enclosure for your CoreXY 3D printer.
On the other hand, an assembled 3D printer with an enclosure may be somewhat expensive than a CoreXY one. However, it is easier to get started with since there is no assembly required. Moreover, the enclosure helps to keep odor to a minimum.
Maximum Print Size
Another thing to consider before buying a CoreXY 3D printer is the size of the objects you will be printing. Most cheap 3D printers allow you to print small objects or up to 11 cm. This is because they have a small build volume.
The printer’s build volume is determined by the print bed, workspace, extruder and guide mechanism. All these components share a single print chamber. As you go up to printers with large build volumes, the price also increases.
Printing Bed and the Base Plate
The 3D printer printing bed is where the print object is extruded to for solidification. To get the print off the bed, you have to remove it with a knife. However, some print beds have a special coating that enable the printed model to be removed easily.
The temperature that the print bed can tolerate will determine the type of materials you can use with your printer. Generally, the higher the temperature, the more materials that you can use.
If you will be working with temperature-sensitive or high-temperature materials such as PETG, TPU, ABS and others, you want a printer whose print bed can tolerate temperatures of 200°C or more.
Precision
In 3D printing, the 2D resolution is determined by the length of the X and Y axes. On the other hand, the Z-axis determines the height resolution. The precision of the Z-axis depends on built-in mechanics.
During the printing process, the print bed moves down steps by step. High-quality 3D printers can generate high resolutions of up to 0.01 mm in the X and Y axes. In the Z-axis, the printers can achieve 0.005 mm resolutions.
On the other hand, budget CoreXY 3D printers can achieve good values on the X and Y axes. However, on the Z-axis, the struggle to achieve good resolution, often deviating by up to 0.1 mm.
While 0.1mm deviation may not seem like a lot, when the models are printed, the quality is easily noticeable. The models look unattractive and if you were printing parts that have to be precise, perhaps for fitting purposes, they may not work properly.
Print Speed
3D printers print models layer by layer. Therefore, they tend to be slow. In fact, a typical 3D printing project can take hours to days to be completed.
Hobby CoreXY 3D printers are much slower than what manufacturers claim. If you are printing a large part, you should expect the printer to remain running for 10 hours or more hours. Therefore, you’ll need a Universal Power Supply unit to prevent your build from getting damaged. Also good to have would be a printer with print-resume function
Use the manufacturer’s speed as a guide but always keep in mind that the time may be longer than is indicated.
Number of Nozzles
3D printers with two nozzles allow you to print two-colored objects. These printers make your projects easier. Other printers even have 3 or 4 nozzles, which can be used to make your project more successful. For instance, you can use the third nozzle to apply a water-soluble support material to the object during the orienting process to prevent it from collapsing.
Extruder Temperature
The extruder temperature will determine the kind of filaments that your 3D printer can handle. For example, PLA and PLA are low-temperature materials that can be handled by extruders that can heat up to 190 – 230 °C.
On the other hand, if you’d like to print high-temperature materials, such as ABS, you will need an extruder that can handle temperatures of between 230- 270 ° C. The sweet spot for extruders is between 180 – 260 °C.
Connectivity
Finally, find out how you will be able to transfer your models to the 3D printer. Depending on your printer, you may be able to transfer models through SD card, W-Fi, USB or Ethernet.
A 3D printer with network connectivity features is suitable for users that work in large workshops, e.g., the designers can be in one room while the printer is in another. You may also need this printer if you’d like to send models remotely.
The above are the most important things to consider when looking to buy a CoreXY 3D printer.
