amazon Systems Cube 3 reviews
Easy to use, supports printing over Wi-fi
As the name implies, 3D Systems Cube 3 has a simple cube cubic box design, with a central print area. On the front, the Cube 3 has a power button and a small touch screen that helps you manage activity. All features of this 3D printer are controlled by a touch screen, from printing, editing to fitting and replacing plastic coil – “ink”. In every operation option, the machine offers detailed step-by-step instructions, making it easy to operate even with the “Amateur”.
In particular, Cube 3 also has the ability to edit itself. In 3D printing, calibration is an important step to ensure that the print surface is balanced and at a perfect distance from the nozzle tip. If it is not calibrated, it will not be able to print an object that accurately reproduces 3D prints, or even print a bundle of useless plastic wrappers. Many other printers require manual editing, however Cube 3 can do that automatically. In rare cases, it will require manual calibration, but it will instruct you to perform step-by-step through the screen. Through our tests, the calibration process of the Cube 3 only took a few touches on the touch screen.
Through the screen, you can also connect your printer to a Wi-Fi network for remote printing. Once connected, you can print from any computer sharing the Wi-Fi network. According to 3D Systems, they are preparing to launch applications on the Android and iOS operating system, allowing users to print from the phone. In addition, Cube 3 also has a USB port. If USB already has 3D print files available, you can select them to print through the touch screen. A 2GB USB is included with Cube 3, but of course – you can use any USB stick.
Request activation
To use the Cube 3, you will definitely have to connect to the Internet, at least when you activate your Cube 3.
The first time you turn on the printer, it will ask you to activate the connection to 3D Systems. The activation steps include on the company homepage, create an account, and enter the serial number of the machine. Then the site will return an activation code, and you must enter this code into the touch screen of the printer. Once the activation is complete, you can use Cube 3 normally.
To be able to print from any computer in the same Wi-Fi network, you must download and install the Cubive Printer application from the 3D Systems homepage. This application plays the role of sending 3D print files from computer to printer. Sending a file can take up to 10 minutes, depending on the file size and the complexity of the object to be printed. Once the file has been transferred, the printer will automatically start the printing process without the intervention of the computer.
It should be noted that if printed directly from the computer, Cube 3 will not save the print file in its memory so you can print again in the next time. For this reason, we prefer to use Cubify to export the print file to the USB and then plug it into the printer. This way, you can print a file multiple times without having to manipulate the computer and management software.
The Cubify application offers a number of different printing options such as object size, thickness of layers, shape of prints, hollow or solid print, etc. Also, you can use this application. To connect to a pre-set account to get more print templates from the Cubites community. Like all 3D printers, Cubify also works with print templates from various download sources. Cube 3 also supports standard 3D printing, meaning users can export files from other 3D printers to USB to print to the machine.
where can you get a Systems Cube 3 online
Cube 3 Printer, White: Buy it now
Cube 3 Printer, Grey: Buy it now
3D Systems Cube 3rd Generation Wireless 3D Printer, 6 x 6 x 6" Build Volume, Grey – Bundle with 3D Systems Cubify Invent Software for Windows: Buy it now
Operate
Basically, Cube 3 worked very well through our tests. Compared with many other 3D printers, it also has a pretty fast speed in less than 10 minutes to be able to print a case back for Apple iPhone 6. Printing time will last longer if you print a two-color object. But this is normal. Even so, Cube 3 does not have a problem printing a few things in a few hours.
However, things will be different if you print large objects, with a print time greater than 10 hours (note that the machine can print objects with a maximum size of 6 x 6 x 6inch (or each dimension more than 15cm On many occasions we tried, Cube 3 printed half of the object smoothly, then started to pour out a plastic pile as if it had not been calibrated before. When we started reprinting without further editing, it was not a waste of time, and wasted a lot of plastic. We have encountered some other printers, and we still do not understand why this is a problem.
Another downside of the Cube 3 is that it always has to cool the nozzle before it can continue printing other things. Because 3D printers require print heads to be heated to allow plastic to flow, the cooling process is not only time-consuming but also wasteful and meaningless, especially when you need to print continuity of many objects.
In addition to the above weaknesses, Cube 3 is generally a good printer, with excellent assembly quality and performance. All parts are securely attached to each other, leading to precise movements of the nozzles. Compared to other 3D printers that we have the opportunity to use, Cube 3 has a larger noise, large enough to recognize when you are in a quiet room.
Conclude
There are many points on Cube 3 that make us excited, especially in terms of design, printing structure, and ease of use. In fact, it could be the best 3D printer we’ve ever experienced if it did not regularly malfunction large objects. Although disliked by the price offered by 3D Systems for alternative plastic rolls ($ 50 per roll), they did however make the 3D printing experience easier, even comparable to using A normal inkjet printer. 3D Systems has developed many creative ideas into Cube 3, and most of them have been “realized” successfully.
Considering all of the factors, the Cube 3 deserves a $ 1099 price tag – a low for a double-sided 3D printer. With this price, together with the current civil 3D printing technology, Cube 3 is a good choice.