Creality K1 emphasizing the capability to elevate FDM printing to a new level with high-speed capabilities. This article includes unboxing, setting up the printer, and demonstrating its printing capabilities.
Creality K1 Pros & Cons
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The Pros:
1. Impressive speed, capable of reaching 600mm/s
2. the aesthetics of the printer are commendable. the sleek design, tinted acrylic sides, clear lid, and glass door contribute to an appealing look. The transparent elements allow for easy observation of the printing process from the front, sides, and top.
3. User-friendly touchscreen
4. Adequate LED lighting inside the print chamber ensures proper visibility.
5. Wi-Fi connectivity.
6. Frequent firmware update
7. Open sourced
- The Cons:
2. Another concern lies with the magnetic spring steel flex plate, which, while functional, requires a layer of glue stick to prevent filament from adhering too strongly. Ideally, a textured PEI coating on the flex plate would have been preferable, especially for prints where the first layer serves as the top surface, providing a more textured look.
3. The glass door, while magnetically secured, lacks friction in the hinge, making it prone to closing when opened. This can be inconvenient when cooling is needed during printing, requiring external support to keep the door ajar.
4. The angle of the touchscreen were unadjustable.
Price
Creality K1 is a clear competitor in both speed and print quality to the Bambu lineup, and this machine comes in at nearly $100 cheaper than the cheapest bambu printer. Considering this, the K1 is definitely a great deal. Especially since, with the K1, you get a fully enclosed machine. On the cheapest Bambu printer, this is a $150 upgrade. Additionally, this doesn't even take into consideration that the Creality regularly goes on sale or has coupon codes that you can apply to your order. Therefore, being a fully enclosed machine, the K1 offers great value.
Unboxing
Starting with an overview of the box containing the K1, with 415*415*550mm package dimensions, and weight of nearly 18kg, about 40 pounds.
The printer is well-packed with foam and shrink wrap for protection. Unboxing reveals a well-designed structure with foam and cardboard ensuring a premium appearance.
| Body | |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions: | 355*355*480mm |
| Package Dimensions: | 415*415*550mm |
| Net Weight: | 12.5kg |
| Gross Weight: | 16kg |
The package also includes following accessories & tools:
- a touch screen
- rubber feet
- a spool holder
- a clean-out plunger
- cutters, wrenches, spatula, and more.
- 16GB USD drive
- The top cover
- Warranty documentation, stickers, and a detailed manual in multiple languages.
Set Up Creality K1
The unboxing process aligns with the manual's instructions, making it straightforward. The assembly of the top cover gives the printer a sealed and premium appearance. The next step involves installing the 4.3-inch screen, ensuring careful handling due to its fragility. Once installed, the screen aligns with grooves and closes securely.
Creality K1 Tuning
The temperature tower is a 3D print that involves printing layers at different temperatures, allowing users to analyze the ideal temperature for a specific filament with their printer. While this process usually requires some configuration and effort, users with a K1 or K1 Max can skip this step. Creality's software comes pre-equipped with a temperature tower model that is ready for use and calibrated.
To access this feature, users can open Creality's software, navigate to the calibration section, and choose the desired filament type and temperature range. The software automatically generates the template, eliminating the need for users to download parts or insert custom G-code scripts. The temperature ranges vary based on the filament type, and users need to be cautious not to select incorrect options that might damage the printer.
Once the template is generated, users can conveniently print it directly using their printer. However, there's an important consideration regarding the brim, which aids in better adhesion. Users can select the brim option in the print profile to ensure proper adherence to the table, especially for thin pieces.
The provided model and calibration process help users determine the optimal printing temperature. The temperature tower model showcases small webs or threads formed at different temperatures, and users should aim to minimize these threads. Starting from the highest temperature and gradually decreasing it allows users to identify the optimal temperature that provides increased fluidity without compromising print quality. This process helps users achieve the desired finish and characteristics for their prints.
Build Plate Size
The K1 presents a unique design with a relatively compact size, offering a spacious build volume of 220x220x250mm. While the build plate size is 235x235mm, featuring a removable flexible sheet, is designed for double-sided printing. A protective layer covers a magnetic mat, secured by notches for easy placement. The metal frame houses a heated bed, insulated underneath, with access for maintenance.
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Users familiar with Creality Cloud can seamlessly integrate this printer into their account, enabling remote print job management from the Creality Cloud site or mobile app.
Moreover, for users with the printer and computer on the same network, direct print job transmission from the Creality Print slicer or G-Code file uploads through a web browser are convenient options. The printer's connectivity options enhance user flexibility and accessibility, making it a versatile choice for those who prioritize ease of use and remote management.
Firmware Updates
Keeping an eye on the firmware updates tab and performing occasional updates will ensure a better-performing printer in the future.
Creality K1 has undergone significant changes through the several firmware updates, compared to the first release. Since receiving the printer, there have been seven firmware updates, demonstrating a continuous effort to tweak and improve its performance. It is noteworthy that the process is straightforward. Regularly checking and updating the firmware is recommended, as these updates contribute to enhancing the printer's capabilities.
Starting from the top, the printer features a cover with handles, tinted panels, and a door magnetically sealed with a rubber seal, providing a satisfying touch. Moving to the back, a honeycomb design, filament detector, and power supply details are visible, along with a chain for wire and PTFE tubing. The printer employs dual Rod rails for the X-axis, one rod on each side for the Y-axis, and three rods with lead screws for the Z-axis.
Examining the extruder and hot end, there's a latching mechanism, dual blower fans for part cooling, and a silicone sock on the heat block. Noteworthy features include core XY configuration, large motors, and pulleys, contributing to the robust design. The auxiliary fan and a unique cooling setup, including a large axial fan beneath the nozzle, enhance cooling during fast printing.
Overall, the K1 presents an intriguing blend of design elements and functionality.
Creality K1 Specifications
| Printing Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Printing Technology: | FDM |
| Build Volume: | 220*220*250mm |
| Printing Speed: | ≦600mm/s |
| Acceleration: | ≦20000mm/s² |
| Printing Accuracy: | 100±0.1mm |
| Layer Height: | 0.1-0.35mm |
| Printing Features | |
| Filament Diameter: | 1.75mm |
| Nozzle Diameter: | 0.4mm(compatible with 0.6/0.8mm) |
| Nozzle Temperature: | ≦300℃ |
| Heatbed Temperature: | ≦100℃ |
| Build Surface: | Flexible build plate |
| leveling Mode: | Hands-free auto leveling |
| Extruder: | Dual-gear direct drive extruder |
| Display Screen: | 4.3"Color touch screen |
| AI Camera: | Optional |
| AI LiDAR: | Yes |
| Power Loss Recovery: | Yes |
| Filament Runout Sensor: | Yes |
| Input Shaping: | Yes |
| lighting Kit: | Yes |
| Sleep Mode: | Yes |
| Support Filaments: | ABS, PLA, PETG, PET, TPU, PA, ABS ASA, PC, PLA-CF, PA-CF, PET-CF |
| Electronic | |
| Rated Voltage: | 100-120V~,200-240V~,50/60Hz |
| Rated Power: | 350W |
| Software | |
| File Transter: | USB drive,WiFi |
| Printable File Format: | G-code |
| Slicing Software:Creality Print: | compatible with Cura, Simplify3D, Prusaslicer |
| File Formatas for Slicing: | STL,OBJ,AMF |
| UI languages: | English,Spanish,German,French,Russian,Portuguese,Italian,Japenese,… |
Creality K1 Issues
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First Layer Problems
There are some complains about Creality K1 Max and K1 of having some trouble getting a good first layer. So I'd like to show you what I think the main cause of this not so great first layer is and what exactly we can do to get better results with this printer.
Creality official provided tutorial of tipping your printer over to its side, taking off the bottom panel, unattaching the belt from the printer, and then adjusting your lead screw. You rotate your lead screw to whichever side is low or high.
The other more easy way is put spacer on the corner where the side is low or high. You could download the print file of bed leveling spacer for your K1 and K1 Max that designed by needitmakeit on Maker World. I'm using PolyMaker ASA because people said that if you print at high temperatures and stuff like that, PLA will soften and it will not be good. ASA has a higher heat until it softens.
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VAF Artifacting
VFA, Vertical fine artifacts, are produced by stepper motors operating at varying speeds. The K1 exhibits poor results in this regard, showing a narrow speed range where prints appear satisfactory. In contrast, the K1 MAX demonstrates improved performance, although still distant from the exceptional results achieved by the Bambu X1C equipped with the newly introduced Motor Noise Cancelling feature. While the issue also has been largely rectified on the later on released Creality K1C on December, 2023.
TPU Print Settings
This segment provides tips for successfully 3D printing with TPU filament. To optimize TPU printing, the temperature is crucial. The second tip involves slowing down the printing speeds, with the optimal speed depending on the specific TPU being used.
Print temp: ~250°CInitial printing temp: ~240°C
Final printing temp: ~235°C
Build plate temp: ~60°C
Print speed: ~50mm/s
Outer wall speed: ~30mm/s
Top/Bottom speed: ~40mm/s
Creality K1 Upgrades
There are some upgrades that bring valuable improvements to enhance your Creality K1 experience. These upgrades cover aspects like creating an air-sealed enclosure, adding a lid for cable management, incorporating a filter for the back, and providing protection for the internal fan and filament sensor.
Door Enclosure Cover
A perfectly closed door helps reduce noise and heat variations when printing with high temperature filaments.
The door stopper is a key component, and it is easily placed in position. By inserting it correctly, the door gains stability. Additionally, there's a small item that complements the door stopper, creating a seamless enclosure.
Model design from @Guilouz on Printable.
Inside Fan Guard
With the filter in place, the inside fan guard becomes a reliable safety feature. It prevents filaments from getting stuck during retraction, a common issue that could lead to complications. The installation is straightforward – just insert the filter into the designated slot.
Model design from @FeNi64 on Printable.
Bowden Tube Clips
The Bowden Tube Clips ensures that the cable doesn't interfere with the side or top of the lid, offering the best cable management solution. The effectiveness of this choice is evident in the tight and secure positioning of the cable, minimizing the risk of it getting stuck. The installation process involves placing the clips below a specific point and pressing them in.
3D model design from @SHaDoW6_259587 on Printables.
Filament Sensor
A significant upgrade in the system is the filament sensor. This modification eliminates the hassle of dealing with tangled filaments. The upgraded sensor allows for easy removal of the filament without any leftover residues. With this enhancement, the filament insertion and removal process become significantly smoother and more reliable. The focus here is on a specific upgrade requiring PTF connectors.
3D model design from @Henlor on Printables.
In summary, the Creality K1, while impressively fast, may sacrifice some print quality at higher speeds. Users should carefully consider their priorities and preferences, especially if print aesthetics and accessibility are critical factors in their decision-making process.