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Creality Hi Combo
About the Creality Hi Combo
The Creality Hi Combo is a 500mm/s open frame 3D printer with a 4-filament Creality Filament System (CFS) multifilament feeder that doubles as a filament dryer. The print volume is 260 X 260 X 300mm. It has an all-metal direct extruder with a quick swap nozzle composed of a titanium alloy heatbreak, copper alloy nozzle body, and hardened steel nozzle tip, capable of reaching 300°C. Dual metal gears drive the filament. The print bed is covered by a flexible, dual-sided, epoxy covered print plate, and is heated by a 1000 W AC heater up to 100°C. The frame is die-cast aluminum. The X axis uses a linear rail; the Y axis is supported by two linear rails. The Z axis is raised and lowered by dual lead screws with independent motors. Automatic bed leveling and Z offset is done by using a strain gauge built into the nozzle, with the nozzle contacting the bed. The filament sensor is in an unusual location - deep inside the extruder, very close to the nozzle. The print surface is lit and monitored using a camera. Up to four CFS multifilament units can be connected to the printer, allowing up to 16 filaments to be used per print. The CFS is sealed, circulating heat with a fan, and has a temperature and humidity display. It absorbs moisture using desiccant. An RFID reader reads data off of Creality filament RFID tags. The printer runs Creality OS, based on Klipper, and is accessible over the network using the Fluidd web interface. Expert mode and root access are available for complete control. The printer uses linear advance and vibration compensation to assure print quality. Print files can be transferred by USB drive or using the Wi-Fi interface and the Creality app on a phone. It can also be controlled using a 3.2" touchscreen that swings out from the side of the printer.
Benefits of the Creality Hi Combo
Modern mainboard features - Many 3D printer features relate to the version of the mainboard and firmware, including features like resuming prints after a power failure and support for silent stepper motor drivers for quieter printing. Newer boards also include safety features like thermal runaway protection which shuts the printer down if it detects issues with overheating.
Auto bed leveling - auto bed leveling will ensure your prints have perfect first layers every time and greatly reduce issues with bed adhesion. When using an auto-leveling system, the probe allows better tolerances for slightly warped print beds by measuring and compensating for any inconsistencies. Without this feature, you'll need to adjust the bed level manually using nuts on each corner of the print bed.
Has touch screen - having a touch screen isn't a deal-maker or breaker, but it is a convenient feature that makes it easier to navigate the interface when you are printing files and configuring 3D printing settings.
Fully assembled - This 3D printer is shipped completely assembled, and is ready to plug in and start using as soon as you unbox it. You will still need to follow the included calibration procedures, but this will not take a significant amount of time.
Direct drive extruder - Direct drive extruders are mounted right above the hot end, and push the filament directly into it, as opposed to a side mounted bowden extruder setup. We prefer direct drive extruders to bowden since they are less prone to jamming and typically require less maintenance. they also are much easier to use with flexible materials
Wireless printing - In addition to the standard USB and SD card connections, you can connect wirelessly to this printer to print from your computer or mobile device.
Linear rail motion system - Linear rails provide added stability to the moving parts of the printer, allowing higher printing speeds without sacrificing quality. Keep in mind that the most important factor to consider when optimizing for print speed is the flow rate of filament, which depends on the hot end and nozzle size moreso than the motion system.
All-metal hot end - An all-metal hot end allows for printing at high temperatures up to 300C, while standard hot ends are capped at 260C before the PTFE material begins to degrade. All-metal hot ends are also less susceptible to jamming, and do not degrade as fast.
Dual gear extruder - A dual gear extruder grips filament from both sides and can exert much more force on the filament before slipping. It helps with all filaments but especially with flexible, slippery TPU.
Where to buy the Creality Hi Combo
Brand Summary: Creality
Creality is a well-known brand that offers a wide range of consumer 3D printers across all price points, from budget to higher end models. The Ender 3 is credited with originating the budget 3D printer market. While other brands now produce lower cost clones of the Ender 3, Creality remains the most established Chinese manufacturer of 3D printers. Creality uses off-the-shelf components and standardized aluminum extrusions on many of their printers to reduce costs, making their printers easy to repair and upgrade. Their official online community forums and manufacturer support are limited, but support can be found on communities on Reddit and Discord.
Printer Comparisons
The articles below provide in depth comparisons of the Creality Hi Combo to other similar printers on the market.
The Evolution of Multicolor Printing - the Bambu Lab A1 Combo Versus the Creality Hi Combo
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