Can a Toy Printer Be Made Great?
Now that the bottom end of the 3D printer market has been largely cleared of subpar “Prusa i3 clone” models, a new breed of ultra-cheap printers has taken their place. EasyThreed offers a range of very small printers marketed as toys. While they may not impress most Hackaday readers, these printers do work out of the box for roughly $75. But can such basic machines be improved with a few upgrades? Made with Layers has explored this question.
Upgrading the EasyThreed Printers
These printers feature an all-plastic snap-together construction with a 10 cm by 10 cm bed and small geared stepper motors driving their axes. The focus of the upgrades includes stiffening the structure, upgrading the motors, and improving the controller, thanks to sponsorship from a 3D printer electronics company.
- Motor Upgrades:
- The original motors were first replaced with NEMA 11 steppers.
- Further, larger motors were tested, possibly pushing the upgrade idea to an extreme.
- Structural Improvements:
- By moving the motors to a bracket, their original mountings were freed up to secure a 3D printed insert, which stiffened the arms.
- Controller Upgrade:
- Though possibly overkill for the video, an electronics upgrade was performed, showcasing potential improvements in control and functionality.
Achieving a Balanced Upgrade
While the electronics upgrade might be excessive for such a basic machine, there seems to be a reasonable middle ground with the smaller motor upgrades and structural stiffening. These enhancements can significantly improve the performance of these ultra-cheap printers, making them more capable for users without breaking the bank.
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