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Voxelab Aquila D1
About the Voxelab Aquila D1
The Aquila D1 is the most advanced printer in Voxelab's Aquila line. It includes several impressive features, including an all-metal dual gear direct extruder, a magnetic PEI-coated spring steel build surface, and a 25-point automatic bed leveling system. The printer is capable of reaching a maximum nozzle temperature of 300°C and a maximum bed temperature of 110°C, making it suitable for a wide range of materials. Other features of the printer include a filament runout sensor, dual Z axis lead screws, and a 4.3” color touchscreen. One notable feature is the printer's dual part cooling fans. Its print speed of up to 180mm/s, achieved using linear rails mounted to the X and Y axes, is also quite impressive compared to other printers in its price range.
Benefits of the Voxelab Aquila D1
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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 Voxelab Aquila D1
Brand Summary: Voxelab
Voxelab is a budget 3D printer brand known for producing Ender 3 clone printers with more features at lower prices than Creality equivalents. While there have been some complaints about the quality of certain components, Voxelab printers are intended for beginners and are generally considered adequate for most users. The brand is relatively new, with its first product, the Aquila, being released in November 2020. Voxelab maintains an official Facebook group with 15,700 members and an unofficial Reddit with 7,900 members, suggesting a growing user base. Manufacturer support is reported to be good, with Voxelab seen as responsive and generous. We would recommend Voxelab to new users with a desire to upgrade and learn, as some printer components may need to be replaced or upgraded, but the money saved over Creality can pay for those upgrades.
Pros
- Linear rail motion system
- Auto bed leveling
- Direct drive extruder
- All-metal hot end
- PEI build surface has good balance of adhesion and part removal
Cons
- High price tag
Printer Comparisons
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