3D Printing Industry reviews the FlashForge Creator Max 2 3D printer.
Designed and manufactured by the specialists over atFlashForge, the创作者最大2is the company’s latest dual-extrusion desktop FFF 3D printer. Based on the previously released创作者最大, the 2nd generation machine comes complete with several design updates that remedy some of the original model’s issues. Priced at $969, the Creator Max 2 is primarily aimed at designers, engineers, and enthusiasts seeking professional-grade multi-material printing capabilities.
The system features a modest build volume of 200 x 148 x 150mm, giving users 4.44L of workspace. Much like many of FlashForge’s recent launches, the 526 x 360 x 403mm frame has undeniable robustness and is constructed entirely out of metal. We’ve found similar frames to be excellent at dampening vibrations in the past, so the machine’s motors’ movement should have no unwanted effects on the parts’ final quality.
The Creator Max 2 comes equipped with two external filament spool holders on the rear, a set of color-changing LED strips lining the interior, and a set of handles on either side for more comfortable carrying – all of which are FlashForge staples at this point. Connectivity options include an SD card slot (a 16Gb SD card is included) and a USB cable port.
As is standard with FlashForge 3D printers, users also have the option to fully enclose the build chamber via the use of an acrylic cover, which will help maintain consistently high chamber temperatures. As such, delamination, shrinkage, and warping issues should be of no concern, even if the room’s ambient temperature is particularly chilly.
IDEX gantries and removable build plates
在持续的客户反馈的基础上，创建者Max 2的最显着补充是其新的独立双重挤出（IDEX）龙门系统。使用IDEX设置，系统的两个挤出机都有自己的打印头，这意味着它们都可以同时使用它们来使吞吐量增加一倍。在这里，这两个热台被锁定在Y轴上，但可以在X轴上独立移动。该系统的最高喷嘴温度为240°C，声称将用Pearl PLA，ABS Pro甚至PVA和臀部作为可溶性支撑材料进行打印。
尽管非IDEX双重挤出机通常并不是一个问题，但原始的创作者Max的设计打印头冷却系统非常糟糕，因此两个喷嘴仅共享一个风扇插座。由于热台如此近，结合了不足的冷却，我们发现活跃的热台对不活跃的热台温度产生了重大影响，从而导致渗出和阻塞。
有了新的IDEX系统，该致命错误已得到纠正，创建者Max 2甚至具有我们最近在我们最近提到的有用的反胡说盘子review of the FlashForge Creator Pro 2. The plates are located on either end of the X-axis rod and act like scrapers against the inactive nozzle, ensuring any spaghetti that may accumulate is purged before the nozzle is used again.
The other major upgrade on the Creator Max 2 is the new removable build surface. Looking at the system’s predecessor, the surface of the alloy build platform was not removable, meaning users had to tediously scrape off prints inside the build chamber, often resulting in scuffs and dents on the build plate. The new build platform is covered by a magnetic, flexible matte polymer sheet capable of heating to 120°C, providing ample adhesion while preventing warping.
The majority of the printer’s functionality, including bed leveling and filament loading, is accessed via the 3.5” full-color touch screen on the front. While filament loading is about as automated as possible, the assisted three-point bed leveling system will require a little more user input. Three screws in a triangular formation under the platform control the plate’s height, and it is up to the user to turn these until the nozzles are level with the top of the build plate. A handy leveling card is provided, and all of the instructions are displayed right on the touchscreen.
The FlashPrint slicing software
FlashForge提供其专有切片软件，可与所有3D打印机一起使用，而创建者Max 2也不例外。雷电竞app下载闪存其特征是其独特的灰色和蓝色配色方案，与其品牌保持一致。用户界面是精致且经过深思熟虑的，具有最小的混乱和直观的翻译，旋转和恢复功能。由于IDEX设置，Creator Max 2用户还具有一个“挤出器”子菜单，可以修补 - 这是可以准备镜像和重复构建的地方。
Once the models are nested in the virtual build space, users can choose between two different support geometries: linear and treelike. The auto-support feature works like a dream in most situations, but users seeking a greater degree of control over support scarring can also opt for the manual point-and-click approach.
Of course, there is also an expert mode available for the more experienced FFF 3D printer enthusiasts out there. When expert mode is activated, the full suite of print parameters is made available, including temperatures, speeds, infill, and cooling. It’s safe to say that FlashPrint provides one of the best user experiences in the slicing arena and is an easy-to-use program for anyone willing to give it a try.
基准创建者Max 2
It’s time to see if there’s any bite behind the bark. The 3D Printing Industry testing regime is designed to determine everything a printer can and can’t do. We begin with our very own in-house benchmarking model (ABS), which consolidates several basic print tests to give an overview of a printer’s capabilities.
Looking at the overhang portion of the test model, we see that the Creator Max 2 can print overhangs up to 60° without any support structures. The 50° – 55° range is considered average for a similarly priced system, so we’re pleased with the machine’s performance here. Likewise, the horizontal bridging test was successful until a length of 25mm – this is around average for a material like ABS and speaks to the improvements in the Creator Max 2’s revamped cooling system.
The retraction test, on the other hand, is an excellent indicator of a machine’s extrusion capabilities, as low-quality extruders will be unable to retract the heated filament while the nozzle moves across the spike array, resulting in unsightly stringing. Fortunately, the spikes were fabricated with excellent precision and no stringing between them, meaning a resounding success. On closer inspection, you may notice that some of the spikes are indeed missing, but we’re happy to announce this due to human error in a moment of careless handling and shouldn’t reflect on the machine’s performance.
Moving on, we decided to try our hand at a mechanical assembly test. Here, our automatic transmission gearbox helps us determine a 3D printer’s dimensional precision, as assembly and operation will only be smooth if each of the components maintains tight tolerances. Straight out of the build chamber, the parts required minimal post-processing and snapped together as expected. While there was a small amount of friction during movement, this improved after a few revolutions as the gears smoothed themselves out and fell into place. Overall, a fantastic print.
Naturally, we also had to put the Creator Max 2’s dual extrusion capabilities through its paces. For this, we decided on a bi-color PLA dragon egg, and a bi-material (PLA/ABS) jointed assembly, each of which was printed in one go. Dual extrusion prints such as these help us determine how well calibrated the two nozzles are in relation to each other, as there is only one hotend active at any one time.
该系统设法很好地制作了鸡蛋，因为颜色边界与可接受的材料出血量不同。每个区域的整体质量都非常好，并且表面非常光滑。同样，连接组件的成功制造 - 它按预期移动，两种材料之间的界面也很明显。考虑到与PLA和ABS一起使用所需的截然不同的印刷参数，这尤其令人印象深刻。
Finally, we put the Creator Max 2’s PVA compatibility claims to the test. PVA, or polyvinyl alcohol, is a flexible and biodegradable polymer that is soluble in water. As such, it makes for a great support material, as it eliminates the need to clip supports in hard to reach cavities and overhangs. Looking at the before and after images of our friendly mammoth, we see a notable lack of defects. Our PVA supports served their purpose and dissolved without a trace, resulting in a very high surface quality throughout, even in precarious sections like the inside of the ribcage.
The verdict
Ultimately, we have here one very impressive redemption story. The original Creator Max was a little lackluster to say the least, with an extremely poorly designed cooling system marking its downfall. It’s great to see FlashForge has faced the criticism head on, rather than avoiding the issue and making the same mistakes again. The IDEX system works like a charm (see our benchies below), and the overall quality of the Creator Max 2’s build is just what we’ve come to expect from the seasoned manufacturer.
当然，它缺少一些高级附加组件，例如Wi-Fi连接性和灯丝跳线传感器，但是印刷质量非常适合价格点，可移动的构建板是天哪。总而言之，我们对Creator Max 2感到非常满意，并希望看到Flashforge将其未来系统朝着类似的方向发展。
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Featured image shows the FlashForge Creator Max 2. Photo via FlashForge.
