Creality K1

About the Creality K1

The Creality K1 is a higher-end 3D printer from Creality with a feature set well beyond most of their other offerings, with an extra focus on high speed printing. It uses a direct-drive extruder and a new high-flow hotend design to allow for faster print speeds. The K1 also uses a CoreXY motion system, which allows for more precise movement at higher speeds than the standard Cartesian system that is found on most other Creality 3D printers. These changes make the Creality K1 capable of extremely high print speeds--potentially up to 600 mm/s. The K1 runs a modified version of Klipper, which is a high-performance 3D printer firmware popular with the 3D printing community that allows for faster processing of gcode for more precise printing. The Creality K1 is Creality's entry into the high end market. The mechanical design of the motion system and extruder make it capable of higher performance than their other machines, and the software features make the K1 feel more like a modern electronic product than most 3D printers on the market today. However, the price point is quite a bit higher than Creality's other offerings.

Benefits of the K1

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.

Large online community - A large online community is important when it comes to any questions that come up as you learn how to use your 3D printer. A larger community typically means that you'll be able to find answers already posted to the most common questions, and you'll be able to find slicing profiles and printable upgrades online.

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.

Premium components - This printer is known for using the highest quality components, and prioritizes this over providing a lower price point on their printers.

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

PEI build surface has good balance of adhesion and part removal - PEI beds are one of the more premium build surface options, and for good reason. They offer great first layer adhesion with no spraysor other treatments, and can be flexed to quickly remove parts. You'll need to clean the bed with a solvent like acetone or IPA every so often to maintain the bed's adhesion.

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.

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.

CoreXY Kinematic System - A CoreXY 3D printer kinematic system uses two stationary motors to move the print head in the X and Y directions, resulting in faster and more precise movements compared to traditional printers. By separating the movement of the print head from the movement of the build plate, the CoreXY system is able to avoid the added weight and momentum of a moving build plate. This results in less vibration and better control of the print head, allowing for faster and more precise movements. Additionally, the CoreXY system can print at higher speeds compared to H-bot systems because it only needs to move one motor for each axis of movement, reducing the overall weight and inertia of the system.

Enclosure - An enclosure seals air around the print area. This holds warm, still air around the print area and is essential for printing temperature-sensitive materials like ABS. Enclosures also prevent particulates and gasses from being emitted into the surrounding area, increasing safety. They also greatly reduce printer noise.

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.

Disadvantages to consider

High price tag - While this printer includes a lot of premium features, they come with a price. This printer is one of the more expensive consumer printers, and may not be worth the cost if you are willing to sacrifice some of the high end features.

Where to buy the K1

Click here to Check Price on Amazon

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.

Learn more about Creality.