Published on Fri Apr 01 2022 05:18:15 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Alex

The Voron 2.4: A Deep Dive into CoreXY 3D Printing Excellence

The Voron 2.4 is more than just a 3D printer; it’s a project, a community, and a testament to the power of open-source design. Designed from the ground up with performance and customization in mind, the Voron 2.4 offers a compelling platform for serious hobbyists and professionals alike.

What is the Voron Project?

Before we dive into the specifics of the Voron 2.4, it’s important to understand the Voron project as a whole. It’s an open-source initiative focused on designing high-performance 3D printers. The goal isn’t just to produce a functional machine; it’s to create a reliable, customizable, and constantly evolving 3D printing ecosystem. The Voron 2.4 is one of the flagship models of this project.

CoreXY Kinematics: Speed and Precision

At the heart of the Voron 2.4 lies its CoreXY kinematics. This motion system utilizes two stepper motors working in tandem to control movement along the X and Y axes. This configuration delivers several key advantages:

• High Speeds: CoreXY allows for faster acceleration and deceleration compared to Cartesian or Delta printers, contributing to quicker print times.
• Reduced Vibration: The balanced movement of the CoreXY system minimizes vibration, leading to smoother prints and improved surface quality, especially at higher speeds.
• Rigidity: CoreXY designs typically offer excellent rigidity, which is crucial for maintaining accuracy and preventing unwanted movement during printing.

Voron 2.4 Specifications:

• Technology: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
• Build Volume: This is a variable factor. The Voron 2.4 comes in several sizes: 250mm³, 300mm³, 350mm³, and even larger custom builds are possible.
• Frame: Aluminum extrusion based frame, extremely rigid and robust.
• Kinematics: CoreXY
• Hotend: Designed to support a wide variety of hotends, including popular options like the Dragon, Mosquito, and Revo. The Revo Voron hotend is specifically optimized for high flow rates.
• Print Bed: Heated bed with options for different surfaces like PEI, powder-coated steel, or glass.
• Electronics: Typically uses a 32-bit mainboard like the SKR or Octopus series, often paired with a Raspberry Pi running Klipper firmware.
• Power Supply: High-quality PSU, typically 24V, capable of handling the power demands of the heated bed and other components.
• Firmware: Klipper firmware is almost universally used, offering advanced features like input shaping (resonance compensation) and pressure advance.

Key Features and Benefits:

• Enclosed Chamber: The Voron 2.4 is designed to be fully enclosed. This provides a controlled thermal environment, reducing warping and improving adhesion, especially when printing with temperature-sensitive materials like ABS and ASA.
• Klipper Firmware: Klipper’s speed, precision, and advanced features (like pressure advance and input shaping) are crucial to the Voron 2.4’s performance. Klipper uses the processing power of a Raspberry Pi, offloading tasks from the mainboard and resulting in smoother, faster prints.
• Highly Customizable: The Voron 2.4 is designed to be modified and upgraded. From hotends and extruders to electronics and aesthetics, the possibilities for personalization are virtually limitless.
• Open Source: All design files and documentation are freely available, fostering a vibrant community that contributes to improvements and modifications.
• High-Performance Potential: With careful tuning and the right components, the Voron 2.4 is capable of producing prints with exceptional detail, accuracy, and speed.
• Community Support: The Voron community is one of the printer’s greatest assets. It’s a vast network of builders and enthusiasts who readily share knowledge, troubleshoot problems, and contribute to the project’s ongoing development.

Building a Voron 2.4:

It’s crucial to understand that the Voron 2.4 is typically not purchased as a fully assembled printer. It’s primarily available as a kit or a collection of parts that the user assembles themselves. This offers significant advantages:

• Complete Control: You choose the components and quality of your build, ensuring it meets your specific needs and budget.
• In-Depth Understanding: Building the printer yourself provides a deep understanding of how each component functions and interacts, making troubleshooting and maintenance much easier.
• Customization: The build process allows you to customize the printer to your exact specifications.

Challenges of Building a Voron 2.4:

• Complexity: Building a Voron 2.4 is not a simple task. It requires significant technical knowledge, patience, and attention to detail.
• Time Commitment: The build process can take several days or even weeks, depending on your experience and the complexity of your build.
• Troubleshooting: Problems can arise during the build process, requiring troubleshooting skills and potentially the need to source replacement parts.
• Cost: While the Voron 2.4 can be built for a reasonable price, the cost can quickly escalate with higher-end components and upgrades.
• Learning Curve: Expect to spend time learning about 3D printing, electronics, and the specific quirks of the Voron 2.4.

Usage Tips and Best Practices:

• Follow the Official Documentation: The Voron project provides excellent documentation. Follow it meticulously.
• Take Your Time: Don’t rush the build process. Double-check your work at each step.
• Test Everything: Thoroughly test each component and connection before moving on to the next stage.
• Join the Voron Community: The Voron community is an invaluable resource. Ask questions, share your experiences, and learn from others.
• Calibrate Your Printer: Proper calibration is essential for achieving high-quality prints. Calibrate your extruder, bed, and other components carefully.
• Tune Klipper: Take the time to learn about Klipper’s advanced features and tune them to your specific printer and materials. Input shaping and pressure advance can significantly improve print quality and speed.
• Experiment with Different Materials: The Voron 2.4 is capable of printing a wide range of materials. Experiment with different filaments to find what works best for your applications.
• Maintenance is Key: Regularly clean and lubricate your printer to keep it running smoothly.

Voron 2.4: Verdict

The Voron 2.4 is a powerful and versatile 3D printer that offers exceptional performance potential. However, it’s not for everyone. It requires a significant time investment, technical skills, and a willingness to learn. If you’re looking for a plug-and-play 3D printer, the Voron 2.4 is probably not the right choice. But if you’re willing to put in the effort, the Voron 2.4 can be a rewarding and capable machine that delivers outstanding print quality and endless customization possibilities.

Voron 2.4 Scoring

Here’s a rating of the Voron 2.4 across key categories, on a scale of 1 to 10:

• Print Quality: 9/10 (With proper tuning, it can achieve near-perfect results)
• Build Volume: 8/10 (Variable, but generally offers ample space)
• Printing Speed: 9/10 (CoreXY + Klipper enables very fast printing)
• Material Compatibility: 10/10 (Enclosed chamber handles a wide range of materials)
• Bed Adhesion & Leveling: 9/10 (Excellent with proper surface and leveling)
• Reliability: 8/10 (High, but dependent on build quality and component selection)
• Ease of Use: 4/10 (Not for beginners, requires significant technical knowledge)
• Firmware and Software: 9/10 (Klipper is powerful and flexible, but has a learning curve)
• Connectivity Options: 8/10 (Typically Wi-Fi enabled with a Raspberry Pi)
• Build Quality & Durability: 9/10 (Extremely robust with a well-built frame)
• Noise Level: 7/10 (Can be relatively quiet with good components)
• Maintenance Requirements: 7/10 (Requires regular cleaning and lubrication)
• Customer Support: 8/10 (Strong community support, but no official manufacturer)
• Upgradeability: 10/10 (Highly customizable and upgradeable)
• Price to Performance Ratio: 8/10 (Can be expensive to build, but performance is excellent)

Average Score: 7.9/10

Written by Alex