Nozzle Hub Creality Ender 5 S1

Published on Tue Jan 11 2022 00:10:56 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Alex

The Creality Ender 5 S1: A Deep Dive into Square-Framed Precision

The Creality Ender 5 S1 has made quite a splash in the 3D printing community. It’s not just another Ender upgrade; it’s a significant step up in terms of speed, rigidity, and user experience. This square-framed printer offers a compelling blend of features that cater to both beginners and experienced makers. Let’s break down what makes the Ender 5 S1 tick, covering its specifications, usage tips, and what you can expect from this machine.

Unboxing and First Impressions

The Ender 5 S1 arrives partially assembled, which significantly reduces the setup time. The robust packaging ensures that all components arrive safely. Included are all the necessary tools, screws, and even a small amount of filament to get you started. The assembly process is straightforward, and the clear, concise instructions make it accessible even for newcomers to 3D printing.

Detailed Specifications

Printing Technology: FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 280 mm (8.7 x 8.7 x 11 inches) - This offers a good balance between printing larger models and maintaining a manageable printer footprint.
Nozzle Diameter: Standard 0.4mm (replaceable)
Layer Height: 0.05-0.35mm - Allows for a wide range of print resolutions, from fast drafts to detailed miniatures.
Printing Speed: Up to 250 mm/s (Creality claims up to 600mm/s, but real-world results vary significantly. 250mm/s is a more realistic expectation.)
Travel Speed: Up to 300 mm/s
Supported Filaments: PLA, TPU, PETG, ABS, Wood, Carbon Fiber
Nozzle Temperature: Up to 300°C - Opens the door to printing with more demanding materials.
Heated Bed Temperature: Up to 110°C - Essential for ABS and other temperature-sensitive filaments.
Motherboard: Silent Stepper Motor Driver
Leveling Mode: CR Touch Automatic Bed Leveling
File Transfer: SD Card, USB
Power Supply: 350W
Display Screen: 4.3-inch Color Touch Screen
Frame Structure: Cube Frame with Enhanced Stability
Firmware: Marlin (Customized Creality Version)

Key Features & Improvements

The Ender 5 S1 differentiates itself from its predecessors with several key improvements:

High-Speed Printing: The enhanced hotend and rigid structure allow for faster printing speeds. While marketing materials boast extremely high speeds, practical printing at 250mm/s is achievable without sacrificing significant print quality.
“Sprite” Direct Drive Extruder: This all-metal direct drive extruder provides stronger extrusion force and better filament control, particularly with flexible filaments like TPU. The shorter filament path also reduces the risk of clogging.
CR Touch Auto Bed Leveling: This feature simplifies the leveling process, ensuring a consistent first layer and reducing frustration.
All-Metal Hotend: The hotend is capable of reaching temperatures up to 300°C, enabling the use of a wider range of materials.
Cube Frame: The sturdy cube frame provides increased stability, minimizing vibrations and improving print quality, especially at higher speeds.
Dual Z-Axis: Provides better stability and smoother Z-axis movement, reducing potential Z-wobble artifacts in prints.
Filament Runout Sensor: Detects when the filament spool is empty and pauses the print, preventing failed prints due to running out of filament.
Power Loss Recovery: Resumes printing after a power outage, saving time and filament.

Usage Tips and Best Practices

To get the most out of your Ender 5 S1, consider these tips:

Proper Assembly: Double-check that all screws are tightened properly during assembly. A loose connection can lead to vibrations and print quality issues.
Bed Leveling: While the CR Touch automates much of the leveling process, it’s still essential to fine-tune the Z-offset for optimal first-layer adhesion.
Temperature Calibration: Each filament type has its ideal printing temperature. Experiment with different temperature settings to find the sweet spot for the best print quality.
Print Speed: While the Ender 5 S1 is capable of faster printing speeds, don’t push it too hard, especially with intricate models. Start with moderate speeds and gradually increase them as you gain experience.
Firmware Updates: Regularly check for firmware updates on the Creality website. These updates often include bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features.
Slicer Settings: Experiment with different slicer settings, such as retraction distance and speed, to minimize stringing and oozing.
Maintenance: Regularly clean the nozzle, lubricate the Z-axis lead screws, and check the belts for proper tension.

Potential Drawbacks

Noise Level: While the silent stepper motor drivers help reduce noise, the fans can still be relatively loud, especially at higher speeds.
Firmware Customization: While the firmware is based on Marlin, it’s a customized version, which can limit the availability of some advanced features and customization options.
Limited Connectivity: Only supports SD card and USB. WiFi or Ethernet connectivity is absent.
Price: The Ender 5 S1 is priced slightly higher than some other budget-friendly printers, although the added features and performance justify the cost for many users.

Overall Impression

The Creality Ender 5 S1 is a well-rounded 3D printer that offers a significant upgrade over earlier Ender models. Its combination of speed, stability, and ease of use makes it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced users. While it has a few minor drawbacks, the overall value and performance are impressive.

Ender 5 S1 Scoring (Out of 10)