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The Anycubic S1 Combo is a part of a brand new wave of 3D printers, providing easy-to-use multi-filament printing in a single easy package deal. From the outset, I’ve to say that I actually just like the design and use of the Kobra S1.
Though the Kobra 3D printers are on the cheaper finish of the market, they’ve at all times been extremely dependable. I nonetheless have two outdated Kobras in operation, exhibiting that they actually have longevity.
The Kobra S1 as soon as once more balances construct, worth, and print high quality, together with a set of options that you just simply would not have seen in machines of this worth vary a few years in the past.
After checking over what this machine is able to, I am happy to say that in the event you purchase the Combo model—which is presently comparatively low-cost—you’ll be able to print as much as 4 supplies as customary after which add one other Ace Professional, which is the multi-filament module, so that you could then add one other 4, so eight in complete.
When it got here to the setup, it took me about 10 minutes to get the machine out of the field, arrange, and have every part plugged in and dealing. Primarily, it comes just about pre-built, with the one factor you could do is connect the filament tubes from the Ace Professional into the Kobra S1, plug-in energy, and run by the calibration course of. So, for full freshmen, this machine is completely excellent.
The one glitch within the setup is that not like many different machines that solely require a single energy cable to the machine—which then powers the multi-filament adapter as effectively—right here, the multi-filament Ace Professional additionally requires its personal energy supply, so you’ll need two sockets obtainable. Nonetheless, for most individuals, this may not be a problem.
On the time of the assessment, I used the lately launched replace to the Anycubic Slicer software program, basically based mostly on PrusaSlicer with just a few modifications to swimsuit the printer. While that is simple to make use of when you’re accustomed to it, it may be a bit difficult for freshmen to navigate. Nonetheless, in the event you’re keen to spend a bit little bit of time, then PrusaSlicer or this by-product is a phenomenally highly effective piece of software program.
One of many different issues that I actually like concerning the Anycubic S1 is that Anycubic has equipped free multicolour mannequin downloads from its website. When you register the machine, you’ll be able to entry these. No different firm does this, and it is nice to have just a few check fashions to essentially see what the capabilities of multi-filament printing are.
While multi-filament is an up-and-coming know-how, the Ace Professional actually appears to refine it. Though it is restricted to eight colors, whereas many different machines can print as much as sixteen, for almost all of individuals, simply with the ability to print with totally different supplies or totally different colors will give an enormous enhance to their model-making.
So, on the finish of the check, I used to be actually impressed with the Anycubic Kobra S1. There is a motive it made my round-up of the best 3D printers, in spite of everything. It really excelled in lots of areas and was good and straightforward to make use of. There’s one factor that basically stands out concerning the Anycubic Kobra S1, and that is the single-filament print high quality, which, all through my print high quality check, scored one of many highest of any machine that I’ve ever examined.
Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo: Design
Like lots of the new CoreXY machines, the Kobra S1 takes on a totally enclosed design, and what I actually preferred about that is that the bodily measurement and weight of the machine are literally smaller than lots of the different new machines which can be popping out. This implies it’ll match neatly on most work surfaces with out taking over an excessive amount of room. As I’ve see from Bambu and Creality, the multi-filament module sits on prime of the machine properly and neatly, and in the event you do need to add that further Ace Professional, then you’ll be able to stack these by the aspect of the machine. While this will increase the footprint, it is nonetheless comparatively neat and compact.
As with all of those machines, the setup is comparatively easy. The unpacking course of, as acknowledged within the intro, is about 10 minutes. Primarily, you have to pull out all the packing from contained in the printer and undo just a few securing bolts, which can be there to make sure nothing will get damaged throughout transit, then every part else is just about set and able to go.
As soon as the Ace Professional is plugged in, you’ll be able to choose the calibration course of, and the machine basically handles the remaining for you. As soon as that is carried out, you’ll be able to stack up all the filament into the Ace Professional. What I actually like concerning the Ace Professional is that it does not simply act as a multi-filament field but additionally dries out the filament, which helps guarantee high-quality printing and that your filament is in prime situation earlier than it will get handed by the nozzle of the printer.
What’s stunning concerning the S1 is that the machine measurement is comparatively small, and Anycubic has actually maximised the construct space. That is one thing we’re seeing with these new CoreXY machines, and as such, we have now a really good 250 × 250 × 250 mm print space. Because the multi-filament printing is all equipped by the Ace Professional, which kinds out the reducing and altering of all of the filaments, the print head is only a single-core print head and is ready to attain a most velocity of as much as 600 mm/s with a 320°C sizzling finish. This allows you to print with all kinds of supplies. It is value mentioning that Anycubic does say that while 600 mm/s is the utmost print velocity, the optimum print velocity is 300 mm/s, which is basically the velocity I used throughout nearly all of this check.
One of many different options that’s actually value mentioning is the recent finish. While this can be a single-core print head equipped by the multi-filament module, it has really been actually properly refined and options the power to be dismantled. So, in the event you do get a clogged nozzle, you’ll be able to merely unclip it, pull it free from the machine, and exchange it with a brand new one.
Likewise, there are many nozzle choices, with 0.4 mm clearly being the usual. Nonetheless, relying on the undertaking you are doing, you too can select a finer 0.2 mm or bigger, 0.6 mm or 0.8 mm.
Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo: Options
In the case of options of the S1, they actually do run mirror lots of the different new totally enclosed CoreXY-constructed machines. They’re way more refined than the old-style open designs that mirrored the open-source neighborhood that helped enhance the event and recognition of 3D printers. As such, the Anycubic Kobra S1 is basically fairly tight and neat in design and options with a Plexiglass clear entrance and prime quite than the extra typical glass that we have seen on many different machines.
Truly, this makes the machine quite a bit lighter and simpler to deal with in the event you do want to maneuver it across the workshop. It additionally makes it an important choice for faculties and academic amenities, the place there’s at all times the potential that one thing may get damaged or smashed.
The big touchscreen LCD is built-in into the machine and navigates the settings, calibration, and mannequin loading. Fashions might be wirelessly transferred to the machine or chosen from a USB stick inserted into the aspect. It is actually properly thought out, and in contrast with Anycubic consumer interfaces that I’ve used up to now, this can be a large enchancment.
One of many issues that I actually like concerning the Combo model that I am is that the filamnet field that I’ve positioned on prime of the machine that additionally acts as a dryer. This ensures that the filament is in completely optimum situation earlier than it is fed to the printer. I’ve to say, this makes an enormous distinction to the print high quality.
The printer is offered in two totally different variations—both the printer itself, which is a single-filament machine, or a Combo model, which incorporates the Ace Professional. At current, for that small improve quantity, it’s effectively value going for the Combo model. The Combo model allows you to print with as much as 4 supplies; nevertheless, you should purchase an non-obligatory further Ace Professional, which is able to enhance that printability to eight supplies.
Specs
Print Expertise: FFF
Construct Space: 250 x 250 x 250mm
Dimensions: Kobra S1: 400 x 410 x 490mm
Dimensions: ACE Professional: 365.94 x 282.84 x 234.5mm
Weight. Combo: 25.9kg
Mattress: Heated 120℃
Print Floor: PEI double-sided spring metal
Software program: AnyCubic Slicer
Supplies: PLA, PETG, TPU[1], ABS, ASA
Print Velocity: 600mm/s
The enclosed design provides an enormous benefit in materials compatibility. Whereas a door or lid does should be opened for PLA and another supplies, the enclosed chamber provides a far superior atmosphere for ABS and nylon.
As I discussed within the design part, the software head has seen one thing of an overhaul in contrast with what I’ve seen from Anycubic up to now, with a design that permits the nozzles to be swapped out with out the usage of instruments. Once more, this can be a function that till lately wasn’t that widespread however is smart and is due to this fact being adopted by a lot of the new machines. That sizzling finish allows choices together with 0.2 mm, 0.4 mm (which is the usual), 0.6 mm, and 0.8 mm. It is also capable of attain temperatures of 320ºC, which is able to cowl most supplies.
Lastly, the options checklist ought to point out the ultra-quiet printing, which Anycubic states is simply 44 dB. In use, it’s noticeably quieter than a few of the different CoreXY machines.
Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo: Efficiency
As the primary few fashions appeared on the construct platform, I might see that the standard of the extrusion and circulate was excellent, and you may at all times inform with that first layer how the remainder of the print goes to look. The S1 produces clear, precise traces as the primary layer of the 3DBenchy mannequin was laid down, and every consecutive layer appeared to match the primary for accuracy. Because the mannequin accomplished, certain sufficient, it appeared good and confirmed respectable total print high quality. Nonetheless, the times when most machines would wrestle with not less than one a part of this mannequin appear to be effectively up to now, and now printing 3DBenchy is extra a check that every part is working quite than a high quality check.
Subsequent as much as print was the Autodesk Kickstarter check mannequin, and once more, the printer, on customary print settings, set off at a tempo, laying down the layers properly and precisely. On the finish of the print, the standard of this printer actually stood out, and as I lifted the print from the platform, the High-quality Unfavorable Function pins dropped out, which is an effective signal. Checking over the print, nearly all check areas hit most marks, with solely the dimensional accuracy letting down an nearly good rating.
Testing the printer at quicker speeds does see a discount in print high quality, however for quick itterations of fashions through the design course of for schooling the place the power to print at this velocity is a particular asset.
Subsequent up was making an attempt the identical mannequin with a number of colors utilizing Anycubic Slicer to divide the print into totally different supplies . That is comparatively simple as soon as you know the way to do it, however for these new to 3D printing, some research could also be wanted. Primarily, throughout the slicer software program, you sync the slicer with the machine, which ought to choose up the filaments which have been put in. You possibly can then assign the fabric varieties. As soon as a number of filaments are assigned to the slicer, you should have the Color Portray choice within the Put together workspace. From right here, you should use the instruments to color the mannequin. The simplest to make use of is the fill software, as this block fills areas.
|
Dimensional Accuracy |
X |
x error |
y |
y error |
|
Goal 25 |
24.76 |
0.24 |
24.97 |
0.26 |
|
Goal 20 |
19.78 |
0.22 |
19.79 |
0.21 |
|
Goal 15 |
14.78 |
0.22 |
14.78 |
0.22 |
|
Goal 10 |
9.76 |
0.24 |
9.81 |
0.19 |
|
Goal 5 |
4.88 |
0.12 |
4.80 |
0.20 |
|
X Error Common |
0.21 |
Row 6 – Cell 2 | Row 6 – Cell 3 | Row 6 – Cell 4 |
|
Y Error Common |
Row 7 – Cell 1 | Row 7 – Cell 2 | Row 7 – Cell 3 |
0.22 |
|
X&Y Error Common |
0.21 |
Row 8 – Cell 2 | Row 8 – Cell 3 | Row 8 – Cell 4 |
|
Total |
4 / 5 |
Row 9 – Cell 2 | Row 9 – Cell 3 | Row 9 – Cell 4 |
|
High-quality Circulate Management |
5 |
|
High-quality Unfavorable Options |
5 |
|
Overhangs |
5 |
|
Bridging |
5 |
|
XY resonance |
2.5 |
|
Z-axis alignment |
2.5 |
|
Complete |
27 out of 30 |
Because the multi-filament printing begins, you’ll be able to see a change within the machine. The velocity witnessed when printing single filament drops away, and the general print instances quickly enhance. What was a 43-minute print turns into a 14-hour print. This may appear extreme, however it’s really fairly customary for the sort of mannequin when flipped from a single materials to multi materials print.
You additionally discover that the standard of the multi-filament prints stays exceptionally good, with clear partitions and construction. The swap in filaments through the print course of does not adversely have an effect on the general print high quality.
Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo: Remaining verdict
The Anycubic S1 is a printer that you would be able to’t fail to be impressed with. From the outset, it was simple to arrange, solely taking a couple of minutes earlier than it might be up and working. While the multi-filament module is not fairly as neat and easy as a few of the others in the marketplace, it is nonetheless easy sufficient to attach and use.
I additionally like the truth that, as customary, it comes with just about every part you might need from a printer of this stage. You’ve multi-filament printing, a built-in digicam with distant entry, and the power to ship information by Wi-Fi from Anycubic Slicer on to the machine.
What actually appeals right here is absolutely the print high quality. The precision and high quality of the print end are distinctive, little doubt partially right down to the truth that the Ace Professional encompasses a built-in dryer. This implies the filament is in prime situation when it enters the machine, and it actually does make a distinction to the standard.
While the Anycubic S1 is likely one of the first of this new wave of machines, it’s an exceptionally good choice. With a smaller footprint, sturdy construct high quality, and ease of use, it is a perfect answer for any academic institution, small product manufacturing studio, or workshop.
While there’s some huge competitors for Anycubic’s first severe totally enclosed machine, there’s quite a bit to be impressed with right here.
Ought to You Purchase the Anycubic S1?
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Row 0 – Cell 1 | Row 0 – Cell 2 |
|
Worth: |
Distinctive worth for cash for a multi-filament machine with this print high quality |
4.5 |
|
Design: |
Anycubic has in the reduction of on a few of the supplies, corresponding to utilizing Plexiglass quite than glass, but it surely’s nonetheless a great-looking 3D printer |
3.5 |
|
Options: |
Contemplating the value and expandability, the S1 packs in an enormous variety of options for the value |
4 |
|
Efficiency: |
Though a next-generation 3D printer that utilises CoreXY, it is not the quickest, particularly for multi-filament printing |
4.5 |
|
Complete: |
In the case of absolute precision, the Anycubic S1 is likely one of the finest 3D printers on the market |
4.5 |
Nonetheless in search of the best unit for you? I’ve additionally reviewed the best 3D printers for miniatures and the best hobby 3D printers round.
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