Kate G. - April 19 2024
Ender-3 V3 Plus, the Biggest Ender 3 in CoreXZ
What is CoreXZ 3D Printer?
The Core XZ is a flipped version of the popular Cor XY motion system, differing from the traditional I3 style motion system.In Core XZ system, the X axis and Y axis are linked together by a timing belt and linear rods. When the print head moves on the XZ plane, it is constantly driven by two motors working together. In contrast, in an I3 style printer, each print head movement is driven by only one motor, with the Z axis motor being idle most of the time. For the Cor XZ, each print head movement is powered by two motors simultaneously, keeping both motors active throughout the printing process.
Benefits of CoreXZ Structure
1. Swift XZ Move
This CoreXZ structure allows for significantly increased speed with doubled driving force, resulting in a much more responsive XY motion. Print speeds of Ender 3 V3, and Ender 3 V3 Plus can reach up to 600mm/s, and acceleration can reach 20,000mm/s².
2. Steady Print
Additionally, in the Cor XZ motion system, the motors are located to the printer base, making the components lighter.
3. Exceptional Printing Accuracy
The Cor XZ motion system utilizes position belts and rods instead of lead screws and V wheels, further enhancing accuracy. Specifically, the Z-axis positioning accuracy is improved, with tolerances as low as 15 micrometers.
The Design of Ender 3 V3 & V3 Plus
Ender 3 V3, and Ender V3 Plus models incorporate integrated die casting technology for its structural frame. The Gantry and base are each crafted as a single Die-cast piece from aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, boasting a remarkable toughness rating of 75 hardness spal and a mechanical stress resistance of 205MPa. By eliminating bolts and seams, the frame's rigidity is enhanced by 53%, while thermal conductivity sees a significant boost of 116%. To refine the aesthetics, the edges and corners are delicately softened with minor carvings, lending an elegant appearance to the overall design.
Quick-Swap Tri-Metal Nozzle
· 60W hotend, high flow rate
· Quick-swap for easy maintenance
· Tri-metal nozzle with hardened steel tip
The Ender3 V3 Plus extruder boasts 1,000 hours of clog-free printing and can print at temperatures up to 300°C. Moreover, it features a quick-swap nozzle for easy maintenance. Additionally, there are two-part cooling fans on the print head, both front and back, which help keep your print in good shape.
More Advantages on Ender 3 V3 Plus
Additionally, the frame's stability is further reinforced on Ender 3 V3 Plus (300*300*330mm print volumn) by two support rods that connect the base and the top of the gantry, forming a rigid triangular structure. This configuration effectively reduces Z-axis shaking, ensuring consistent print quality across the entire height of the print volume.
The Ender 3 V3 Plus boasts dual motors on the Y-axis, enhancing its printing speed and capabilities. With a maximum speed of up to 600mm/s, it ensures swift and efficient printing.
This model is specifically tailored for larger prints, which often come with added weight. To accommodate this, it utilizes two 500mN.m on the Y-axis, providing the necessary force to move the heavier components smoothly. With a peak torque of 1,000mN.m, users can rest assured that the Y-axis movements remain steady and reliable even when operating at maximum speeds, ensuring high-quality prints consistently.
Software of Ender 3 V3 and V3 Plus
Both Ender 3 V3 and V3 Plus are running the Klipper-based "Creality OS" on a 32-bit mainboard. Thanks to its Klipper roots and a built-in accelerometer, it has input shaping to help prevent ringing artifacts on prints when printing fast. Additionally, it features automatic mesh bed leveling and automatic Z offset calibration.
The printer is equipped with WiFi, allowing you to connect it to a WiFi network and use the Creality Print slicing software to prepare 3D models for printing, send print jobs, and monitor the printer. Alternatively, you can save prepared files in G-code format to a USB flash drive, insert the flash drive into the printer, and print that way.
A color touch screen makes it easy to control and interact with the printer. It also includes Power Loss Recovery, which provides some protection against power interruptions. Finally, it has a Filament Runout Sensor, which alerts you when you need to replace the filament.
The Price of Ender 3 V3 and V3 Plus
The Ender 3 V3 is the new top-of-the-line machine from the Ender 3 series. The Ender 3 series also includes the Ender 3 V3 SE, which is the most affordable option, priced under $200, and features basic Marlin firmware. There is also the Ender 3 V3 KE, which looks similar but adds a linear rail to the X-axis and runs Klipper firmware instead of Marlin, costing around $250. The Ender 3 V3 and the Ender 3 V3 Plus are the high-end models, featuring Klipper firmware and CoreXZ kinematics, priced between $330 and $430.
Unboxing and Assembly
First, get all the parts out of the box. There are two layers of items. The first layer contains the small user guide, Z-axis braces, spool holder pieces, power cord, screen, and tools. The second layer contains a small spool of filament, the X & Z gantry, and the printer base. The package includes all the necessary tools for assembly and ongoing maintenance, such as a nozzle unclogging tool, hex wrenches, a screwdriver, a nozzle wrench, grease, flush cutters, and zip ties.
Test Prints and Under-extrusion
Initial test prints showed issues with under-extrusion, leading to weak, fragile parts. By adjusting the flow multiplier in the slicer, I was able to achieve solid, strong prints. Creality seems to have left some tuning to be desired.
Conclusion
The Ender 3 V3 Plus boasts solid hardware, including a thicker linear rod motion system, a one-piece die-cast aluminum gantry with extra support rods, and a strong extruder, making it one of the best in terms of hardware. However, the firmware, especially the input shaping, still needs improvement. Future firmware updates are expected to enhance its performance, similar to the Creality K1 series. Switching to a slicer from the same family as Prusa and Bambu slicers is a good move, but Creality needs more updates to address most glitches in their slicer software. The Ender 3 V3 and V3 Plus have the best hardware among all new Creality bed slingers, with a lot of potential thanks to their interesting CoreXZ kinematics and open-source firmware. However, as of now, the Ender 3 V3 series firmware is not available on Creality's GitHub.