Raise3D E2 3D Printer Review

Thinking of buying the Raise3D E2 printer? Before you do so, read our review to know of the specs, features, quality of print and performance of the unit.

In this Raise3D E2 3D printer review, we’ll go through an overview of the printer and its performance.

Let’s get started.

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Raise3D, which has Chinese roots, has today become a global company. However, the company’s headquarters are still located in Shanghai,.

The development of the concept of the E2 3D printer lasted more than two years and even continued after the premiere. The company, after identifying a number of problems, delayed the start of sales of new printers to solve the issues that had been realized.

Overview of the Raise3D E2 3D Printer

Raise3D E2

3D printer features an innovative printing system of two independent IDEX extruders.

The printer has three 3D printing modes:

Duplication Mode

This mode allows simultaneous printing of two extruders. When using this mode, you can produce identical models in a shorter time.

Mirror Mode

This mode allows you to simultaneously print a model and its mirror image. The mode comes in handy in the production of insoles, prototypes of shoes, equipment or two pieces of one piece.

Standard Mode

This mode uses one or two extruders, making it possible to produce products of complex shapes with water-soluble supports or two-color models.

The printer has an all-metal extruder that can print any materials with a heating temperature up to 300°C.

Coming to calibration, Raise3D 3D printers have an intelligent calibration system. The system can create a 3D map that reflects the real state of the printing platform. There is also a video guide you can follow to calibrate the platform.

The printer is equipped with a 7″ touchscreen display, which has all the necessary settings.

Raise3D E2 slicer software is the ideaMaker. Together with the cloud platform RaiseCloud, the slicer provide seamless integration into the workflow of all printers on the network. You can print remotely and track your prints using a webcam.

Raise3D E2 Review

Specifications

General Specifications

3D Printing Properties

Materials

Software Requirements

Dimensions and Weight

IDEX Extruders

The main difference between the Raise3D E2 and its predecessors, the Pro2 series printers, is the IDEX system.

IDEX is a printing system comprising of two independent extruders. Raise3D did not invent the system. There were other 3D printers that had IDEX extruders before Raise3D E2. However, the E2 stands out from the competitors by its high quality workmanship and a number of engineering improvements.

The IDEX system has several advantages over the conventional arrangement of two extruders in one head. To begin, the weight of the printhead is significantly lower, which prevents unnecessary inertia when moving it. Secondly, having two extruders increases the performance of the 3D printer without reducing its functionality.

The Raise3D E2 3D printer is similar to the Raise3D Pro2 model in terms of features. However, the former is different because it uses the IDEX system, which expands its operating capabilities. A 3D printer with two independent extruders is faster than one with the traditional extruder layouts.

The photo below shows the process of printing a protective shield in the “duplication” mode.

The Raise3D E2 3D printer can print in several modes: single extruder, dual extruders, and duplicate model or mirror mode. You can also print the same model with different materials with different temperature settings.

We’ll come back to IDEX in this Raise3D E2 review. However, for now, let’s look at other printer specifications.

Construction

The Raise3D E2 3D printer is a sturdy unit made of aluminum and high quality molded heat-resistant plastic. The quality of the printer’s workmanship is noteworthy.

The Raise3D E2 measures 607 x 596 x 465 mm. Therefore, it is quite large for an office desk and bigger than its direct competitors, such as the Ultimaker 3, Zortrax M200 Plus and Picaso Designer X Pro.

With this printer, you will need use a separate table or bedside table. Check some of the best 3D printer tables that we recommend. In addition, to load the filament into the side insulated “pockets”, you need to open their doors, and this requires 30-40 cm of free space.

Opening the top cover also takes about half a meter space from above.

You can also set in the settings to pause printing in case the front and top covers are open, and then continue printing after they are closed. This is important for safe use of the printer in schools, where children can get burned.

The maximum printable area of one extruder in the Raise3D E2 is 330 x 240 x 240 mm. With two extruders, the maximum print area is 295 x 240 x 240 mm. These sizes are enough for small to medium prints. For printing larger models, you will want to go with the Raise3D Pro2 Plus.

The printbed heats up to 110℃ while the extruders heat up to 300℃. Therefore, you can work with materials with a high percentage of shrinkage. The high temperature reached solves the problem of tearing off the first layers when printing with high-temperature plastics.

The printbed heats up steadily and consumes 350 watts of power, which is quite economical. At the high temperature, you can print an entire range of materials, including nylon (polyamide), polycarbonate, ASA, carbon, glass-filled nylon, carbon-filled ABS, and others.

However, as is the case with the Raise3d Pro2 line, the E2 cannot print high-temperature engineering materials, such as PEEK and Ultem 9085.

The Raise3D E2 3D printer can use both original Raise3D filaments and any third-party filaments that follow the OFP (Open Filament Program). The OFP allows third-party filaments manufacturers to test their materials on Raise3D printers and create profiles for each material for maximum user convenience.

The Raise3D E2 printer house ensure the temperature inside stays consistent at 30-40 ℃. Maintaining a stable temperature is necessary when it comes to printing high-temperature materials with a high degree of shrinkage.

The special HEPA filter ensures no odor is produced by the printer, even when using ABS filament. The filter not only capture the smallest polymer particles, preventing them from entering the working environment, but also block unpleasant and harmful fumes from some polymers.

Kinematics

The Raise3D E2 3D printer has a movable platform. The X and Z axes are combined in a rigid U-shaped module, where two extruders move independently on the X-rail of the gantry.

Raise3D pioneered the use of rail in their printers, which is a major departure from the Ultimaker kinematics on which the N and Pro2 series printers were based.

The advantages of the X and Y axes moving independently include high accuracy, reliability of printheads and stable prints.

However, the mechanics also has some disadvantages. For example, the printer prints at a relatively low speed due to excessive movements when switching the activity of the printhead when changing material. There is also high inertial moments of the build platform when a model is printed on it.

While the printbed is not heavy, sometimes “ringing” vibrations can be observed during sudden movements. The vibrations can lead to the printed part peeling off the surface.

Now that we know about the mechanics of the printer, let’s check some controversial engineering solutions.

First, since the trapezoidal screws of the Z axes are not synchronized, you will need to periodically calibrate the horizontal parallelism of the X beam. To do this, move the X beam upward until it stops against the metal transverse stiffening beam with a sound of the motors knocking.

Secondly, we have the moving printing platform. However, this solution has proven to work well in Prusa printers that its use in a professional printer is quite justified. During our printing tests, we did not experience any problems with the moving platform.

The Raise3D E2 3D printer prints high-quality models at 30-40 mm/sec, producing. It is only when the “classic” 50-60 mm/s is exceeded when printing a large model does the quality slightly reduce. It’s no secret that a model’s stability is affected by how reliable the first layer is.

Finally, the platform, as in the Pro2 series, is made of aluminum with a proprietary BuildTak printing surface. The printbed is high wear resistance, has good plastic adhesion and can be removed and fixed thanks to the magnetic properties. Therefore, the printbed has to be calibrated frequently, ideally after each new flex plate is placed on the build plate. And each calibration takes time.

Extruder

The Raise3D E2 3D printer direct extruder is compact and light. The extruder has a reduction gear and a double-sided toothed clamping of the filament, similar to the BMG reducer.

The extruder can work with both soft and “slippery” materials. The upper print temperature limit is 300°C.

Next to the extruder, on the left printhead, there is a BL Touch level sensor and a two-position electromagnetic probe with an optical position fixing sensor.

Raise3D E2 has a multi-zone table surface calibration system.

The calibration system is packed it in a metal casing to protect it from mechanical damage and high temperature of the working space.

Filament Sensors

Raise3D E2

also has filament end sensors. During a long print, you do not have to worry about a sudden end of filament. On sensing that the filament has ended, the printer will pause. Printing will continue when you refill the filament

Video Camera

Also, the printer is equipped with a video camera that allows you to record and remotely control the printing process using Raise3D’s integrated cloud services. This service has become the corporate standard for Raise3D printers.

ECCO Mode

There is a large red button next to the printer display that activates the ECCO mode. When ECCO mode is activated, the lighting of the working chamber and display indication are turned off when the operator deems it necessary. For example, when printing for many hours or even several days to save energy.

The red button is also used to reboot the device, if you hold it down for more than 10 seconds.

Processor

The powerful NXP ARM Cortex-A9 Quad 1 GHz working processor ensures reliable operation and a smooth printing process. All major electronic components are housed in a front-facing upper bezel with a decorative carbon look. There are no wires hanging around. All necessary wiring passes in cable channels or fireproof silicone harnesses.

Touchscreen Display

The large 7-inch touchscreen display has been the hallmark of Raise3D 3D printers since the first N series. The monitor touchscreen is moderately responsive, i.e., it does not “dull” nor work from accidental touches.

The control system has a built-in non-volatile memory that will allow printing to continue in the event of a power outage. As before, the system is controlled by a Linux-based operating system and is very stable.

Calibration

Good calibration is essential to the successful use of this system, and Raise3D has done its best to make this process as clear as possible, especially for first-time 3D printing users.

For precise pairing of nozzles, there is a special calibration system with very simple and accessible video instructions on the printer monitor.

The calibration procedure and pairing of the nozzles takes about 20 minutes.

Connectivity

Files for printing can be dropped via Wi-Fi or a standard RJ45 network connector located on the back of the case, which allows you to connect the printer to a local LAN network.

You can also use the USB ports located on the top panel above the display to transfer the printing files.

USB connectors allow you to work with the printer offline. That is, by simply installing a flash drive with a file prepared for printing into the slot and pressing the “Print” button on the display, you select the desired file and follow the system prompts.

By the way, there is no need to leave a “flash drive” in the slot, since after selecting a job, the necessary files are downloaded to the printer’s internal drive and stored there, including with a video report on the results of the previous print.

Filament Loading

The filament loading procedure is semi-automatic and is initiated from the function on the control monitor. From there, place the filament spool in an insulated compartment covered with a translucent lid through which you can visually check the amount of remaining plastic. Next, insert the filament through the fitting into the filament path until it stops in the gear wheel, and nd then follow the video prompts on the display. Everything is simple, fast and clear.

An intelligent system of multi-zone leveling of the working surface, coupled with an informative video interface, allows you to quickly build a profile of irregularities with an accuracy of hundredths of a millimeter. This allows the printer to be sure to correctly and accurately form the first layer, which in many ways ensures a successful printing result.

Below is an overview of how this works.

After installing the flexible printing cover on the printbed, start the calibration process by selecting the appropriate item on the large 7-inch display of the printer. After that, follow the video instructions to complete the process.

Slicer

All Raise3D printers use the original IdeaMaker slicer. This is one of the most advanced tool for implementing the most complex tasks. Together with RaiseCloud cloud service, it presents the user with truly unique opportunities for preparing models for printing and controlling the entire printing process with the possibility of subsequent analysis of the results obtained.

In the photo below you can see an example of the remote control of printing on the E2 printer.

Print Quality

Let’s now look at few of the models we printed on the Raise3D E2 3D printer.

These are fairly light looking models, printed with ESUN brand ePA (nylon) plastic. While the lack of a flat surface made it difficult to print, nevertheless the printer coped with it.

Next, we have quite a complex model of a fog lamp for Citroen in a 1: 1 scale, printed with ABS + ESUN brand with HIPS support, also produced by ESUN. We printed this model with a lot of small elements to show the real possibilities of the E2 printer in the mode of printing with two extruders using a support material.

More examples of double-extruder printing: the well-known PLA cube with a water-soluble PVA support and a poisonous tree frog printed with two colors of PLA plastic.

And this is a two-color print of a vase:

Printing with two Raise3D PLA 1.75 filaments (red and white). Layer 0.18 mm. Nozzle 225/225 ° C. Table 60°C. Speed 60 mm/s.

In duplicate mode, we printed 2 glasses. Layer 0.08. Table 60°C Nozzles 225/225°C Speed 50 mm/s. Filament: Raise3D PLA 1.75 (red and white)

Conclusion

Raise3D E2 3D printer

is easy to operate, has an intuitive interface that describes complex procedures in detail and with animated diagrams. Demo videos are included with many important or frequent operations.

Based on our experience with E2, we were happy with its high and stable print quality, simplicity and ease of use, versatility and productivity. Without a doubt, this 3D printer translate ideas, designers and design engineers should show.

Its versatility can provide competitive advantages and increase the economic impact of the introduction of 3D printing. The printer is reliable, easy to operate and maintain, and produces consistent print results. The management interface is informative and user-friendly, making it easy even a beginner to quickly get used to and get started.

In addition, the Raise3D corporation has its own industrial “ecosystem”, consisting of a slicer, a cloud storage service, equipment operation and control, technical support and its own line of consumables, including profiles for them,

Coming to performance, it is worth considering the speed of prototyping if you need to determine which material is most suitable for a specific technical and design problem. You can use two different materials and in one “pass” you get two samples for testing from one stl file. As a result, you save time to create the final prototype.

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