3D printer cube review

Cube 3D Printer Review 2022

3.5

See Price

Since the popularization of 3D printers, and give the inherent difficulty of 3D printing, there’s been demand for affordable, easy to use models that work out of the box.

3D Systems and the widely popularized Cube 3D printer strive to plug that gap. Does it live up the hype? Let’s investigate as we pull apart the secret inner workings of the most stylish printer on the market.

Printing Area	152x152x152mm
Print Tech	Plastic Jet Printing
Supported Filament	ABS and PLA
Extruders	2
Layer Thickness	70 microns and 200 microns

Table of ContentsShow

Design

3D Systems is onto its third generation of the Cube with all the enhancements this encompasses. An all-in-one cube casing houses the printer, hence the name, and is advertised primarily as a user-friendly personal desktop model. With simplicity in mind, it aims to introduce first-timers to the world of 3D printing without the oft-complicated installation of entry-level DIY models.

Straight out of the box, the Cube is a piece of engineering bliss. Aesthetically pleasing, compact, classy, and dare we say, beautiful, it resembles a product distributed by Apple, where functionality and ease of use are as much a consideration as design.

The sleek white exterior panels are miles away from the functional, bare-bones design of plenty rival models. So much so that the Cube is very much at home sitting alongside other home office devices rather than confined to a workshop. The self-contained shell means keeping track of diverse components isn’t a factor.

The print area is a modest 152x152x152mm, providing enough working space for most small scale projects, especially for beginners trying their hand at 3D printing for the first time. With both 0.2mm and 0.07mm (200 and 70 microns) print resolution layers, the Cube offers a degree of versatility, but not enough to cater for a large variety of print projects.

The print head ensures the X-axis, while the PrintPad (read build plate) manages the Y and Z axis. The PrintPad is removable for easy cleaning in hot soapy water. Every print job requires the application of Cube Glue, a weak adhesive produced by 3D Systems that assists the printed filament to solidly in place on the build plate. It takes some practice to apply the appropriate amount, and you need to wait for it to dry enough or suffer the consequences as we did.

The Cube sports dual extruders for simultaneous double color or material prints housed in out of sight purpose-built plastic casings that sit inside the vertical outer side panels. ABS and PLA are the only supported materials, and the Cube only works with 3D Systems proprietary filament Smart Cartridges that come in a selection of twenty-three colors.

These are significantly more expensive than generic filament bought from a hobbyist retailer, which was a big con for us when assessing the Cube 3D printer. These materials are of a higher quality, ostensibly, to justify the higher cost. To give 3D Systems its due, the ABS provided is recyclable, while the PLA is compostable, which softens the blow for the environmentally conscious maker. The company also asks users to ship back empty cartridges for recycling.

Each cartridge includes its own integrated, snap-in nozzle, which it must be said, is incredibly simple to install and, in theory, foregoes the need to battle with removing debris and build up from the extruders every time. Two cartridges come as standard with each new device.

Connectivity through a USB port mounted on the bottom of the side casing (the package includes a USB flash drive) and a WiFi connection allowing the user to trigger prints from their computer or via a flash drive, gives options.

3D Systems have even designed a dedicated Cubify mobile app for both Android and iOS (plus MacOS and Windows through the Cubify software) packed with printing ideas, blueprints, and guides. The software converts into the required file type and forwards the instructions to the printer. It cannot be used to design prints though.

The user interface, we love. Inviting and perfectly intuitive, it’s hard to go wrong using the in-built 2.5” color touch screen LCD. Beginners should find getting around the settings and options a breeze. Indicators such as how much material is left are welcome additions for users who might not have yet developed the skills to gauge how much filament a project requires.

Printing

For a 3D printer touted as an out of the box solution, the printing process was hit or miss. The first few prints went well, especially for smaller prints. The results were generally error-free and full of detail with smooth contours and layers with few flaws. Ghosting was all but absent.

However, the Cube starts to struggle with larger projects that more often than not end in a bundle of filament only good for the landfill. The waste is especially hard to stomach given the exorbitant cost of the cartridges. The Cube Glue did little to fix the issue but works well for smaller prints.

Overall, the Cube is ideally suited to small jobs and is relatively economical with the material when it works correctly. From what we can gather, the lack of a heated plate, and the fact the software didn’t factor in the need for supports worked to the detriment of larger prints that require stability and uniform heat distribution as vertical layers build up.

The Cube is loud, to the point that it can become an annoyance by reverberating into adjacent rooms. For such a little machine, the noise is disproportionate possibly due to clanks bouncing off the casing.

Where our opinion of the Cube shifted drastically was when we encountered systematic jamming in the jet on the print head. The problem appeared to happen after only a handful of jobs using a brand new cartridge. Either the filament reacts badly to being exposed and goes brittle, or warehouse storage is conducive to the chemical properties of the plastic to harden more than necessary while sitting in the cartridge. It was hard to tell.

Regardless, we have here a serious design flaw; feeding the filament through a tube doesn’t work well. Once a jam occurs, the nozzle does nothing but churn the plastic into a clumpy mess. If it isn’t a jam, the filament breaks inside the cartridge. There’s not much that can be done other than load in a replacement.

Speed wise, the Cube isn’t remarkable and gets the job done within acceptable limits.

Small prints can take anywhere from four to ten hours depending on the size, while bigger jobs were a bust most of the time, so we were never able to finish them to know how long the process takes.

Assembly

The Cube comes pre-assembled and only requires the user to install the cartridges, a straightforward procedure. The Cube is packaged well and comes with a quick start manual, USB key, cabling, glue, spatula, plyers, power supply, and the printer itself.

The Cube self-calibrates by make sure the build plate is perfectly level and at the right distance from the print head via a set of magnets under the plate, although the device asks the user to tweak the plastic circular knobs below the plate as required. The instructions are straightforward and won’t daunt even the most unversed user.

That aside, the Cube allows you to be up and printing within 45 minutes after unboxing the device, unheard of for printers in this price range where hours of assembly are the name of the game.

Support

3D Systems has discontinued the Cube, and the model is no longer in production, arguably due to lackluster reviews caused by the filament jamming issue.

As a consequence, the Cube is now available at a fraction of the cost of its initial retail price, around the $1000 mark. You can pick one up for around $200-$300 on Amazon, if not less. 3D Systems continues to sell cartridges for the time being, although third-party manufacturers have popped up selling them at a fraction of the cost.

Support wise, 3D Systems offers a 90-day warranty for parts and labor, but no refunds whatsoever due to discontinuing the product. Specific resellers may offer different refund policies.

3D Systems has a robust after-sales support service with a dedicated phone team that can help with the jamming issue by walking through a variety of detailed fixes. They’ll also walk through updating the Cubify software to the latest firmware which helps with printing problems to a certain degree. Alongside are forums, guides, and articles about getting the most out of the Cube.

Verdict

The Cube isn’t a bad printer overall and produces some quality results for smaller projects. The design is the model’s strongest asset, and it’s hard to find fault with the look, feel, and ease of use (bar the jamming issue).

At a much-reduced price, the Cube is an ideal no-nonsense first time 3D printer for those who want to experience the joys of printing without the hassle and tinkering of similarly priced DIY equivalents. The dual extruder setup is also a bargain.

The cartridges are a downside, but if you buy them from a third-party, the costs are more palatable. There’s also a DIY fix for the jamming problem, which isn’t particularly difficult to perform and is an excellent way to introduce a beginner to the modification aspect of the hobby.

The Cube isn’t ideal, but its hard to argue with for the bargain price.

CubePro 3D Printer Review 2022

2.7

See Price

Printing Area	285mm x 270mm x 230mm
Layer Resolution	70 microns, 200 microns, and 350 microns
Supported Filament	PLA, ABS, Nylon
Filament Diameter	1.75mm
Extruders	1

The central tenet of the CubePro 3D printer is to bring a comparatively affordable printer to the average consumer, centered on ease of use through rapid assembly and professional grade prints. Does it live up to its lofty ambitions? Let’s find out.

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Design and Features

Borrowing heavily from its namesake and smaller cousin, the Cube, the CubePro is as much a rejig as an oversized reimagining of the original. It retains the enclosed cuboid aesthetic reminiscent of a product designed by the darlings of Silicon Valley, Apple, with rounded contours, a sleek finish, and an overall look that screams professionalism.

The CubePro is a perfectionist designer’s dream where every aspect of the printer has been thought out and optimized, down to details like the organized cable control systems, clean circuitry, the intelligent choice of component placement, and the overall ordered feel inside and outside of the casing. The same can be said for the hardware, which is of the highest caliber with no knock-off parts or cost saving omissions.

The CubePro is one large printer, weighing in at 90.7 lbs and supported by a heavy-duty, industrial grade metal frame, surrounded by an all-over acrylic enclosure with glass panels on the front and back for easy print monitoring. The top cover is removable to allow access to the inner workings of the print head for easy filament change and repairs if needed. We can’t stress how sturdy this printer looks – the weight and rigid frame ooze stability.

The climate chamber is sealed and heated to offer a stable environment for prints free from the effects of environmental changes in temperature. The sealed effect is partly achieved through attention to detail in the way the front panel is lined with acoustic insulating foam to prevent heat and noise from escaping.

The printer is among the safest on the market and is, in theory, perfect for an educational context or home office rather than a barebones kit destined for a chipboard workbench in a dusty garage.

The build area measures 285mm x 270mm x 230mm, which is ample room to print more substantial and ambitious models with ease. The build plate is a ceramic glass non-heated plate. The lack of a heated bed doesn’t matter so much due to the temperature controlled build chamber.

The base model includes a single extruder, while 3D Systems also offers a dual extruder and triple extruder equivalent, known as the CubePro Duo and CubePro Trio respectively. The extruder can print an incredibly thin 70 microns on the slowest high definition speed, 200 microns on standard definition, and 350 microns on fast mode. The print head runs along the X and Y axes, while the build plate moves along the Z-axis in a classic Cartesian configuration.

Regarding filament options, the CubePro sticks to 3D Systems’ 1.75 mm diameter proprietary locked filament Smart Cartridge. The company offers 24 different color cartridges (Gold, Bronze, Pale Yellow, Forest Green, Coral, Navy Blue, Dark Gray, Industrial Gray, etc.) that do cost substantially more than third-party alternatives.

The 3D Systems cartridges do have their benefits though as they are fitted with an embedded microchip that communicates with the printer to indicate what material and even color is being used. They are also 100% recyclable. As for what type of materials, the CubePro supports PLA, ABS, Infinity Rinse-Away support materials, and Nylon.

The CubePro has USB flash drive, USB to PC, and WiFi connectivity. Control is managed through a full-color touchscreen display with a host of options from connecting to a WiFi network, naming the printer, providing detailed instructions for filament loading, cartridge status, calibrating the print plate, updating firmware and so on.

The CubePro is designed to use 3D Systems’ proprietary CubePro Print Client, which is adequate but lacks a lot of in-depth features. Print timing predictions were wildly inaccurate most of the time as well. The client is compatible with both Windows and Mac.

Additionally, the printer is suited to any Windows 3D compatible application such as Microsoft 3D Builder, Microsoft 3D Scan, SolidWorks 2015, Autodesk TinkerCad, Netfabb Professional, Autodesk Mesh Mixer, Siemen’s JT2Go, and Siemens Solid Edge.

Although 3D Systems recommends the CubePro software, there is nevertheless some scope for users who prefer other slicing programs. As for how complicated the task of linking it to another slicer, it all comes down to the specific application.

Assembly

The contents of the package include the CubePro printer, ABS or PLA cartridge(s), a two-pack of Cube Glue, build plate, jet wiper, power cord, USB cord, toolkit (wire cutters, needle nose pliers, 8 mm wrench, build plate scraper, hex drivers (2.5mm, 3mm, and 4mm), T-Handle, and sandpaper), waste bin, documentation, setup guide, and USB flash drive.

The printer and accessories are shipped on a pallet due to the size of the model coupled with ample styrofoam, plastic protective layers, foam tubing, and well-marked zip ties holding the movable parts together. The accessories are layered in compartments for easy removal and shipping.

In keeping with the user-friendly, out of the box functionality ethos, the Cube Pro ships pre-assembled, although no printer actually comes fully assembled. Although nowhere as complex as other models, setting up the CubePro does take some doing.

The process involves removing the protective materials, cutting the zip ties, and removing the Z-axis guard via a set of screws. The next step is attaching the waste bin for the jet wiper to the printer and then placing the build plate on the printer.

From here, it’s the usual steps of plugging in the power cord and hitting the on/off button next to the touch screen. The touch screen then walks the user through connecting to WiFi, activating the warranty, and installing the filament cartridges.

Filament installation is relatively straightforward and involves feeding the filament through the piping network leading to the hot end at which point the feeder gears will grab onto it. The printer does an amazing job of providing step by step instructions that are hard to get wrong, but a bit of finesse is required when feeding the filament through a sharp bend in the pipe.

Once the filament is in, all that’s left is to seat the cartridge into the holding bracket, which is secure and simple to handle. The printer will then walk you through a test print.