After the release of an array of high-end equipment like the professional CR-5 Pro HT 3D printer, Creality decided to recall the past and redesign its discontinued product. The new Ender-2 Pro version features a number of improvements in terms of structural rigidity, ergonomics, and 3D printing quality.
The Ender-2 cantilever systems are one of the most affordable solutions on the FDM 3D printer market — the original version was offered at a selling price of around $150. Its new iteration is distinguished by increased rigidity of the structure with slightly changed dimensions and build volume, as well as a variety of other improvements, but it also costs a little more than the original.
Cantilever 3D printers often raise doubts about the rigidity of the structure, and for this reason the Ender-2 Pro is engineered with an enhanced mounting of the vertical profile to the base unit. To further reduce the load on the profiles and vibrations, the center of mass was shifted downward by moving the spool holder from the top of the assembly to the base. The former holding point is now replaced by a convenient carrying handle. The 3D printer weighs just less than 5 kilograms, at least without the filament.
Instead of a separate power supply, the Ender-2 Pro uses an integrated system that makes the base unit wider and heavier, which is also good for stability. Another pleasant novelty of the new configuration is a small drawer on the right side of the frame for storing tools and other useful things. The removable LCD display with a resolution of 128×64 is equipped with an encoder, with the spool mount located right behind the screen.
One of the significant drawbacks of the original was a weak airflow around the printed layers. In the new version, a dual fan is installed on both sides of the hotend, which should help with the printing of overhanging elements, especially when working with polylactide. Like in the original version, the print bed is heated, although there is obviously no enclosure. The filament is fed according to the Bowden scheme, with a separate installation of the feeding mechanism and the print head. This makes for both an increased positioning speed and additional reduction in stress on the cantilever structure.
The print bed uses a flexible removable plate on magnetic fasteners with an adhesive polyetherimide surface. The now-standard function of print recovery in the event of a sudden power outage is provided. On the other hand, the printer does not boast a filament runout sensor.
Tech specs:
- Technology: FDM/FFF
- Build volume: 165 x 165 x 180 mm
- Extruder type: Single
- Extrusion method: Bowden
- Default nozzle size: 0.4 mm
- Max. hotend temperature: 260 °C
- Build plate: Magnetic, with polyetherimide surface
- Max. print bed temperature: 80°C
- Bed leveling: Manual
- Connectivity: MicroSD
- Filament detection: no
- Print resume function: yes
- Filament diameter: 1.75 mm
- Outer dimensions: 421 x 383 x 465 mm
- Weight: 4.65 kg
In comparison with its predecessor, the Ender-2 Pro has risen in price by about $20: on the official website, these printers are available at a selling price of $169. Thus, the cost of the new system almost caught up with that of the original Ender-3 offered for $189.
