Consumer 3D printers have been available for over a decade, with each generation improving on the one before.
But how do these fixes work out in practice?
Im not completely green to the concept, having used 3D printing services in the past.
Supposedly, anyway; we didn’t have much luck.
Inside, a 32-bit silent motherboard is cooled by fans, and printing is controlled using the responsive touchscreen.
Positioning is precise on the X and Y axes to 0.011mm, and on the Z axis to 0.0025mm.
Print accuracy is to 0.1mm, with a recommended speed of 60-80mm/s (though 10-150mm/s is possible).
Be sure to check the correct AC voltage is set before plugging it in.
There is also a printed user manual.
Its not portable, and you should set the printer up where you intend to use it.
Moving it around afterward isn’t a good idea, certainly not regularly.
For testing, we also received two reels of PLA, in white and black.
Geeetech Mizar S Set-up and Assembly
Much of this 3D printer is pre-assembled.
I made the mistake of incorrectly attaching the other component, the Y-stop sensor.
Unsurprisingly, this resulted in a problem: the print bed flinging itself backward with every attempt at auto-leveling.
Fortunately, this was resolved by correctly assembling the sensor to cover the bare circuit.
One problem with the review rig: the upper layer of the touchscreen was full of air bubbles.
A problem less common these days than it was, it gives the touchscreen a cheap feeling.
But it fails in a couple of key areas that it really shouldn’t.
To begin with, there is no software included, despite advice to contrary in the instruction manual.
But this, even when combined with printing a brim or raft, isnt guaranteed to solve adhesion problems.
And while the printer is quiet, it is of course radiating a bit of heat.
However, the Geeetech Mizar S has adjusted my expectations down considerably.
Weight and speed certainly played a part here.
One of the attempts, a small Eiffel Tower, failed repeatedly, despite various adjustments to the set-up.
I can only surmise that this design was too small, or extruded too quickly.
One of the shortcomings of not having a dedicated profile in Cura, perhaps?
Its worth noting also the included toolkit includes small wrenches that didnt actually fit anything on the printer.
When it came to replacing the extruder nozzle, I had to dig into my own toolbox.
Meanwhile, the included file is inadequate for shaving inaccuracies.
Overall, the printer outputs at a decent 0.1mm thickness.
Can You Love a 3D Printer?
For example, you might only print one filament at a time.
In this context, the Geeetech Mizar S largely disappoints.
Im never going to love the Geeetech Mizar S, but its good to have around.
