ELEGOO Centauri Carbon 2 Combo review: Color goes mainstream

When ELEGOO launched the unique Centauri Carbon, it was a real market disruptor. A contemporary, CoreXY 3D printer that stood toe-to-toe with fashions at twice the worth. The Centauri Carbon 2 is successfully a extra refined model of that printer.

Constructing on the inspiration of that first mannequin, it is quieter, extra superior, and may deal with a greater variety of filaments. The software program expertise is extra refined as properly, out of the field, however the true star of the present is the Canvas multi-material system, which takes us from the monochrome Carbon to the four-color world of the Carbon 2. I have to say, it is a terrific place to be.

9/10

Construct Quantity

256 × 256 × 256 mm

The ELEGOO Centauri Carbon 2 builds on the stable basis of its predecessor and provides an inexpensive, efficient multicolor system to the combination.

Professionals & Cons

• Unbeatable worth
• Efficient and easy multicolor system
• A stable high quality of life enchancment over the earlier mannequin

• Including the Canvas system was mildly difficult
• Some minor software program bugs
• Some minor purge chute points

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Value, availability, and specs

The ELEGOO Centauri Carbon 2 Combo is offered proper now for $419 from ELEGOO and $500 from Amazon. As of this writing, the printer isn’t accessible with out the Canvas multicolor system.

If you would like a superb funds CoreXY printer with out multicolor, the unique ELEGOO Centauri Carbon continues to be a superb alternative at a cheaper price.

Setup and design

Taking the ELEGOO Centauri Carbon 2 Combo out of its field, the complete multicolor system (named “Canvas” by ELEGOO) is packed into the construct quantity of the printer. Even with directions, and the useful instruction video provided by ELEGOO I discovered some steps difficult to drag off on my own. So I do advocate having a second pair of fingers to make it simpler, though you will handle simply high-quality alone too.

I had a very onerous time getting the highest thermal hood put collectively appropriately in order that it suits snugly on prime. Take additional care with that, as a result of if it isn’t fitted appropriately, it could actually rock forwards and backwards in operation. Talking of which, not like another multi-material printers, the Carbon 2 Combo mounts its spools on the aspect of the printer, the hood is there to cowl the filament tubes, and preserve the warmth inside.

Loading filament into the Canvas is useless simple, and for those who use ELEGOO filament with RFID tags, you possibly can scan each earlier than loading it, and the printer will know all it must find out about that filament. Nevertheless, I loaded a mixture of completely different generic and branded filaments after working via all 9lbs of filament ELEGOO despatched alongside for the evaluate, and it solely takes a second or two to enter that info manually.

Both means, Canvas actually is easy to function and comes from a mono-color printer. It would take you at most 5 minutes to study all it’s worthwhile to find out about working this multi-filament system.

As for the remainder of the printer, it is just about the identical because the earlier Centauri, which you’ll be able to examine in my original review. It is sturdy, prints quick and precisely, and nonetheless compares favorably with rather more costly CoreXY printers.

What was most noticeable to me throughout my time with the printer to date is how a lot quieter it’s. ELEGOO has improved the sound insulation and is utilizing quieter motors. The unique Centauri wasn’t precisely loud, however I have been working this in my lounge for greater than per week, and its about as loud as my dishwasher. You could possibly simply tolerate this printer in an residence or different small residing area.

Multicolor printing efficiency

What we’re all questioning about is how properly this printer handles multicolor printing. In any case, it is the primary purpose to purchase the Carbon 2 Combo! I printed all kinds of fashions in a number of colours, slotting the Carbon 2 into my present print manufacturing course of, making licensed fashions on the market at our native market, however I used to be anticipating it to deal with that.

No, I actually needed to place this printer via its paces, so I devised a torture check. I’ve all the time needed a 3D print of the Tachikoma robots from the Ghost within the Shell manga and anime franchise. So I downloaded a fan-made mannequin and spent a number of hours within the ELEGOO Slicer software program portray it in 4 colours with as a lot element as I might handle.

I did this with no regard for wastage or printing time. I solely cared concerning the mannequin wanting precisely the best way I needed it to, and ultimately, the print took over 30 hours with greater than 1100 filament modifications.

After all, this resulted in additional wasted material than truly ended up within the mannequin, however there is not any arguing with the end result! The Carbon 2 Combo dealt with it with no points in any respect, and so I would say it handed my torture check with (4) flying colours.

Software program and ease of use

ELEGOO’s slicer software program (a customized fork of Orca Slicer) has obtained a number of updates since I reviewed the unique, and I bumped into no points in any respect whereas loading fashions, portray them, after which slicing and printing them.

Some issues have modified because the unique Carbon was launched, nevertheless. For one factor, the slicer will now auto-detect printers in your community. Which beats manually placing in an IP handle. Nevertheless, earlier than I might add the Carbon 2 Combo, I needed to create an ELEGOO account and bind the printer to it.

Nevertheless, I am glad I did as a result of it meant I might use the Carbon 2 with the fairly glorious ELEGOO Matrix app which I have been utilizing to observe prints each at dwelling and whereas away.

I additionally must commend how simple it’s to choose the colours you need to use when beginning a print. You possibly can simply assign filaments to every of the slots with out slicing them once more.

Credit score: Sydney Louw Butler/How-To Geek

That is useful for me as a result of I like printing numerous coloration variations of the identical mannequin on the market.

Minor bugs and speedbumps

It is not been all clean crusing. The printer has given me a continuing error letting me know that it could actually’t get information from ELEGOO’s servers.

Credit score: Sydney Louw Butler/How-To Geek

I don’t know what this error pertains to, however it appears to don’t have any impact on the printer in any respect, so I simply ignored it. All different community and on-line options labored simply high-quality. So hopefully no matter that is will get mounted in an replace.

Apart from the odd bug that didn’t have an effect on something essential, I did have some points with the purge chute. It didn’t eject purges a number of instances, resulting in clogs. I solely misplaced one print due to this, however consequently, I now make some extent of guaranteeing the chute is totally clear earlier than beginning a brand new print.

Do you have to purchase the ELEGOO Centauri Carbon 2 Combo?

Credit score: Sydney Louw Butler/How-To Geek

You should purchase the ELEGOO Centauri Carbon 2 Combo if:

• You need to print in a number of colours or supplies, however are on a funds.
• You need to improve from a non-CoreXY printer.
• You are a hobbyist,

You must NOT purchase the ELEGOO Centauri Carbon 2 Combo if:

• You are pleased with mono-color printing.
• You want greater than 4 colours or supplies.
• You are an fanatic or need to run a 3D-printing enterprise.

If you wish to enter the world of multicolor 3D printing or need to profit from a multimaterial system, then there is not any cheaper entry level than the ELEGOO Centauri Carbon 2 Combo. As with the earlier mannequin, the worth is incredible, and for the typical one who simply desires to print issues for their very own private use, it is onerous to see any actual downsides. If that is you, then you need to completely go for it.

With the first-generation Centauri, my solely concern was with construct high quality and sturdiness. At the moment, I had no reference level, however since then, I’ve printed three to 4 spools of filament each month for a 12 months straight, and my unique Centauri works simply in addition to the day it arrived. That offers me loads of confidence to advocate this new mannequin to common hobbyists who aren’t going to print wherever close to that quantity.

A more durable suggestion is for individuals who already personal the first-generation Centauri. A 12 months in the past, the ELEGOO consultant confirmed that the corporate was engaged on a multi-material system for the older mannequin. Up to now we have heard nothing about this coming to mild, however on the similar time, ELEGOO hasn’t canceled the product both. The enhancements over the unique Centauri aren’t sufficient to justify shopping for a complete new printer. By which case, it is likely to be price ready a bit to see if an improve equipment turns into accessible. That mentioned, it by no means hurts to have a second printer!

9/10

Construct Quantity

256 × 256 × 256 mm

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

The ELEGOO Centauri Carbon 2 builds on the stable basis of its predecessor and provides an inexpensive, efficient multicolor system to the combination.