Published on Thu Apr 03 2025 07:12:07 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Alex

The Voron 1.8: A Deep Dive into this CoreXY Powerhouse

The Voron 1.8 is a DIY 3D printer kit that has garnered a significant following within the 3D printing community. Known for its speed, precision, and expandability, the Voron 1.8 isn’t just a printer; it’s a project, a journey, and a testament to the power of open-source design. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Voron 1.8, covering its specifications, usage tips, and overall performance.

What is the Voron 1.8?

The Voron 1.8 is a CoreXY 3D printer designed by the Voron Design team. Unlike many commercially available printers, the Voron is primarily designed to be built from a kit or sourced parts. This approach offers a unique level of customization and control over the final product, but it also requires a certain level of technical skill and patience. The Voron 1.8 prides itself on providing a high-performance machine capable of printing a wide range of materials with impressive speed and accuracy.

Detailed Specifications:

• Printing Technology: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
• Build Volume: This is a variable specification. Typically 250x250x250mm, 300x300x300mm, or 350x350x300mm, depending on the user’s choice and build.
• Frame Material: Extruded Aluminum (typically 2020 or 2040 V-slot)
• Motion System: CoreXY
• Hotend: Compatible with a wide range of hotends, including E3D V6, Revo Voron, Dragon and similar types. Users often upgrade to high-flow options like the Rapido UHF for faster printing.
• Bed Material: Aluminum Heated Bed. Often with a PEI Spring Steel sheet for adhesion.
• Electronics: Typically uses a 32-bit controller board, such as a BTT Octopus, SKR, or similar.
• Firmware: Klipper is the recommended and most commonly used firmware.
• Connectivity: USB, Ethernet (depending on the control board)
• Power Supply: 24V Power Supply (wattage depends on the heated bed size)
• Enclosure: Designed to be enclosed. Critical for printing temperature-sensitive materials like ABS and ASA.
• Filament Diameter: 1.75mm
• Layer Resolution: Capable of achieving layer heights as low as 0.05mm, dependent on nozzle size and material.
• Print Speed: Can achieve high print speeds (100-200mm/s) with proper tuning and hardware.
• Typical Materials: PLA, ABS, ASA, PETG, TPU, Nylon, Polycarbonate (PC), and more.

Usage Tips for Success:

Building and operating a Voron 1.8 requires a systematic approach. Here are some tips to ensure a successful build and print experience:

1. Follow the Documentation: The Voron Design team provides extensive documentation on their website. Read and understand the build instructions thoroughly before starting. Refer to the Voron community resources for additional support and troubleshooting advice.

2. Source Quality Parts: The quality of the components you use will directly impact the printer’s performance and reliability. Invest in quality linear rails, bearings, belts, and electronics.

3. Precision Assembly is Key: Take your time during assembly to ensure everything is square, aligned, and properly tensioned. This is particularly crucial for the CoreXY motion system.

4. Accurate Bed Leveling: Precise bed leveling is essential for good first-layer adhesion. Klipper firmware offers advanced bed leveling features (e.g., mesh bed leveling) that can greatly improve print quality.

5. Proper Belt Tension: Correct belt tension is critical for accuracy and to avoid ghosting artifacts. Use a belt tension meter or a reliable tuning method to ensure consistent tension.

6. Calibration is Essential: After assembly, calibrate your printer carefully. This includes calibrating the extruder’s e-steps, PID tuning the hotend and bed, and fine-tuning retraction settings.

7. Use an Enclosure: An enclosure is almost essential for the Voron 1.8, especially if you plan to print ABS, ASA, or other temperature-sensitive materials. The enclosure helps maintain a consistent temperature, reducing warping and improving layer adhesion.

8. Klipper Firmware Mastery: Embrace Klipper firmware. It allows for precise control over your printer, input shaping, pressure advance, and much more. Learn the basics of Klipper configuration and how to use its advanced features.

9. Material-Specific Settings: Each material requires specific print settings. Research the recommended settings for the filament you are using and adjust them as needed for optimal results.

10. Community Support: Engage with the Voron community. Join online forums, Discord servers, and other community platforms to ask questions, share your experiences, and learn from others.

Performance Assessment:

• Print Quality: 9/10 - With proper tuning and calibration, the Voron 1.8 can produce very high-quality prints with excellent detail and accuracy.
• Build Volume: 7/10 - The build volume is customizable, but even at its largest common size (350x350x300), it’s not the biggest available on the market.
• Printing Speed: 9/10 - The CoreXY design and Klipper firmware enable very fast printing speeds without sacrificing quality.
• Material Compatibility: 10/10 - With its enclosed design and ability to reach high temperatures, the Voron 1.8 can print virtually any filament available.
• Bed Adhesion & Leveling: 8/10 - With a PEI sheet and Klipper’s bed leveling features, bed adhesion is generally excellent. However, occasional adjustments may be needed.
• Reliability: 8/10 - Once properly assembled and tuned, the Voron 1.8 is a reliable machine. However, due to the DIY nature, initial build quality can vary.
• Ease of Use: 6/10 - The Voron 1.8 is not for beginners. It requires a significant amount of technical knowledge and troubleshooting skills. The Klipper interface may also be daunting for new users.
• Firmware and Software: 9/10 - Klipper firmware is powerful and highly customizable.
• Connectivity Options: 8/10 - Offers standard connectivity options like USB and Ethernet (depending on the control board).
• Build Quality & Durability: 9/10 - Built with quality components and a sturdy frame, the Voron 1.8 is a durable machine.
• Noise Level: 7/10 - The noise level depends on the fans used. Noctua fans or similar can significantly reduce noise.
• Maintenance Requirements: 7/10 - Like any 3D printer, the Voron 1.8 requires regular maintenance, such as cleaning, lubricating, and checking belt tension.
• Customer Support: 5/10 - Official customer support is limited, but the active community provides extensive support and troubleshooting.
• Upgradeability: 10/10 - Highly upgradeable. New features and modifications are constantly being developed by the community.
• Price to Performance Ratio: 8/10 - The initial cost can be significant, but the performance and capabilities of the Voron 1.8 justify the investment for many users.

Overall Average Score: 7.9/10

Conclusion:

The Voron 1.8 is a high-performance 3D printer that offers a unique blend of speed, precision, and customization. While it requires a significant investment of time and effort to build and configure, the end result is a powerful machine capable of producing high-quality prints with a wide range of materials. If you are an experienced 3D printing enthusiast looking for a challenging and rewarding project, the Voron 1.8 is an excellent choice.

Written by Alex