Published on Sun Nov 21 2021 14:43:48 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Alex

The Creality Ender 3 S1: A Deep Dive into a User-Friendly 3D Printing Powerhouse

The Creality Ender 3 series has long been synonymous with affordable and accessible 3D printing. The Ender 3 S1 represents a significant step forward in that legacy, offering a feature-rich experience that’s both powerful and easy to use, even for newcomers to the hobby. Let’s take a comprehensive look at what makes the Ender 3 S1 tick, explore its capabilities, and offer practical tips for getting the most out of this impressive machine.

Ender 3 S1: Detailed Specifications

• Printing Technology: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
• Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 270 mm
• Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm (standard)
• Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm
• Maximum Nozzle Temperature: 260°C
• Maximum Bed Temperature: 100°C
• Printing Accuracy: ± 0.1 mm
• Layer Thickness: 0.05 - 0.4 mm
• Print Speed: Up to 150 mm/s (recommended: 50-80 mm/s)
• Supported Filaments: PLA, TPU, PETG, ABS, Wood, Carbon Fiber, etc.
• Motherboard: 32-bit Silent Motherboard
• Display: 4.3-inch Color Touchscreen
• Power Supply: 350W, 24V
• Leveling: Automatic Bed Leveling (CR-Touch)
• Resume Printing: Yes (Power Loss Recovery)
• Filament Sensor: Yes (Filament Runout Detection)
• Extruder: “Sprite” Direct Drive Extruder
• Connectivity: SD Card, USB
• Machine Size: 487 x 453 x 622 mm
• Machine Weight: 9.1 kg

Unpacking and Assembly

The Ender 3 S1 is relatively easy to assemble. The main gantry comes pre-assembled, significantly reducing the time and effort required. Follow the included instructions carefully, double-checking all connections. Tighten screws securely but avoid over-tightening, which could damage components. The process typically takes around 30-60 minutes for someone with basic mechanical aptitude.

Key Features and Benefits

• “Sprite” Direct Drive Extruder: This is a major upgrade over Bowden-style extruders. The direct drive system minimizes the distance between the filament drive gear and the hot end, resulting in improved filament control, especially with flexible filaments like TPU. It offers consistent feeding and reduces the risk of clogging.

• CR-Touch Automatic Bed Leveling: This system uses a probe to automatically map the bed’s surface, compensating for any slight imperfections. This eliminates the tedious and often frustrating manual bed leveling process, resulting in better first-layer adhesion and overall print quality.

• Dual Z-Axis with Synchronized Belts: The dual Z-axis provides increased stability and reduces wobble during printing, especially for taller objects. The synchronized belts ensure that both Z-axis screws move in unison, maintaining consistent bed height.

• 4.3-inch Color Touchscreen: The intuitive touchscreen interface makes navigation and control easy. You can adjust settings, monitor print progress, and load files directly from the screen.

• Silent Motherboard: The 32-bit silent motherboard drastically reduces noise during printing. This is a welcome feature, especially for users who plan to operate the printer in a home or office environment.

• Filament Runout Sensor and Power Loss Recovery: These features add convenience and prevent wasted prints. The filament runout sensor detects when the filament spool is empty, pausing the print and allowing you to load a new spool. Power loss recovery allows the printer to resume printing from where it left off in case of a power outage.

Usage Tips and Best Practices

• First Layer is Key: Ensuring a properly leveled bed and good first-layer adhesion is crucial for successful prints. Use the CR-Touch to level the bed, and adjust the Z-offset slightly if needed. Experiment with different bed temperatures and print speeds for the first layer.

• Filament Storage: Store your filament in a dry environment to prevent moisture absorption. Moisture can lead to poor print quality, stringing, and nozzle clogs. Consider using airtight containers with desiccant packs.

• Temperature Settings: Optimize temperature settings for each filament type. PLA typically prints well between 190-220°C, while PETG requires higher temperatures of 230-250°C. Experiment to find the optimal settings for your specific filament brand.

• Print Speed: While the Ender 3 S1 can handle print speeds up to 150 mm/s, slower speeds generally result in better print quality. A speed of 50-80 mm/s is a good starting point.

• Slicing Software: Choose a slicer software that suits your needs and experience level. Popular options include Cura, Simplify3D, and PrusaSlicer. Each slicer offers different features and settings, so experiment to find the one that works best for you.

• Bed Adhesion: If you’re struggling with bed adhesion, try using a bed adhesive like glue stick, hairspray, or painter’s tape. PEI build plates are also a popular upgrade for improved adhesion.

• Regular Maintenance: Clean the nozzle and bed regularly to prevent clogs and ensure good adhesion. Lubricate the lead screws periodically to keep them running smoothly.

• Firmware Updates: Keep your printer’s firmware up to date to take advantage of new features and bug fixes. Creality regularly releases firmware updates that improve performance and stability.

Potential Issues and Troubleshooting

• Nozzle Clogs: Nozzle clogs are a common issue in 3D printing. Use a nozzle cleaning needle or perform a cold pull to remove any debris. Make sure to use high-quality filament and store it properly.

• Warping: Warping occurs when the corners of a print lift off the bed. This is often caused by temperature differences between the print and the environment. Try increasing the bed temperature, using an enclosure, or adding a brim to your prints.

• Stringing: Stringing is the formation of thin strands of filament between printed parts. This can be caused by high printing temperatures, slow retraction speeds, or wet filament. Try lowering the printing temperature, increasing retraction speed, or drying your filament.

• Layer Shifting: Layer shifting occurs when the print head moves in the wrong direction, causing the layers to misalign. This can be caused by loose belts, excessive print speed, or vibrations. Tighten the belts, reduce print speed, and ensure that the printer is placed on a stable surface.

Upgradeability

The Ender 3 S1 is highly upgradable. Popular upgrades include:

• All-Metal Hotend: Allows for printing at higher temperatures and with more exotic filaments.
• PEI Build Plate: Improves bed adhesion and makes it easier to remove prints.
• Linear Rails: Increase stability and precision.
• Enclosure: Provides a controlled printing environment, especially useful for printing ABS.

Overall Score Breakdown (Out of 10)

• Print Quality: 9
• Build Volume: 7
• Printing Speed: 7
• Material Compatibility: 8
• Bed Adhesion & Leveling: 9
• Reliability: 8
• Ease of Use: 9
• Firmware and Software: 7
• Connectivity Options: 6
• Build Quality & Durability: 8
• Noise Level: 9
• Maintenance Requirements: 7
• Customer Support: 6
• Upgradeability: 9
• Price to Performance Ratio: 9

Average Score: 7.87/10

Conclusion

The Creality Ender 3 S1 is a fantastic 3D printer that offers a great balance of performance, features, and ease of use. The direct drive extruder, automatic bed leveling, and silent motherboard make it a pleasure to work with. While it has some limitations in terms of build volume and connectivity, its overall performance and affordability make it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced 3D printing enthusiasts. With a few tweaks and upgrades, the Ender 3 S1 can be a true workhorse that delivers high-quality prints consistently.

Written by Alex