Cube 2

3D Printing & Imaging Workshop
Cube 2

SIP06_Cube-2-printer

3D Systems / cubify.com / Available in the Maker Shed

  • Price as tested $1,299
  • Print volume 5-1/2″×5-1/2″×5-1/2″
  • Heated bed? No Print materials PLA, ABS
  • OS supported Mac, Windows
  • Print untethered? Yes, over wi-fi or via USB flash drive
  • Open-source hardware? No
  • Open-source software? No
  • Printer control software Cube software
  • Slicing software

Cube software Last year we reviewed 3D Systems’ entry into the desktop 3D printer market, the Cube. It was a relatively affordable, compact, simple-to-use printer that used closed-source software and proprietary filament cartridges. These elements made this printer less appealing to 3D printing veterans, but great for young or inexperienced makers who want to venture into the world of 3D printing.

This year 3D Systems released the Cube 2, adding a few modifications that make it even safer, quieter, and more kid-friendly, in hopes of better meeting the needs of the education market. Unfortunately the price paid for these changes is reduced print quality.

Very Easy Setup, Nice Touchscreen Features

The Cube 2 is very easy to set up. The required software can be downloaded from cubify.com and supports both Mac and Windows (sorry, Linux users). After installation, a simple graphical interface walks you through the steps to prepare a 3D model for printing. The software also includes a “heal” option that will fix flaws in the selected model to make it print-ready.

The software lets you make some basic changes, such as scaling and orientation of the model, before exporting the model to the provided thumb drive, which can be used to print without the need for an attached computer. The Cube also includes a built-in wireless network that allows models to be sent to the printer over wi-fi.

The built-in touchscreen interface allows you to quickly access useful features like bed leveling, nozzle calibration, and filament loading/unloading. (The Cube uses proprietary cartridges, making its filament more expensive than other printers.) With the thumb drive plugged into the printer, you can select the model you wish to print and start the process from the touchscreen. SIP06-Cube2-robots

Quieter and Safer Than Last Year, but Print Quality Suffers

The first thing we noticed when the printer fired up was the motors used in this version of the Cube are significantly quieter than those in last year’s model. This version also sports a silicone bumper around the extruder nozzle, which helps protect any curious fingers from being burned by the hot-end. It also keeps stray filament from coiling up and sticking to the nozzle, a common problem in other printers.

3D Systems has included a magnetically attached glass build platform; the lack of a heated build platform adds one more level of safety, but means the Cube needs a little more help getting prints to stick to the build plate. This help comes in the form of CubeStick glue, a solution that’s applied to the glass plate with the included squeegee bottle. This is easily the most tenacious grip we’ve seen of any print to a platform. Once the print is complete, the glue dissolves in water, allowing the print to pop right off the build plate surface.

The finished print quality, however, has considerable downsides when compared to printers in the same price range. Overhangs and caps showed significant drooping, small details were lost, and the prints frequently feature a small pool of plastic on the edge of the model where the extruder started the print and placed an anchor within the print itself.

Most of the issues that we experienced were caused by the slicing software and not by hardware, meaning that with a little bit of work and a software update, this machine could be cranking out the kind of prints we would expect from it. Unfortunately since the software is closed source, users won’t be able to make these changes themselves.

Conclusion

3D Systems has taken a lot of care to design a printer that can be used in educational settings without the usual safety concerns that come with most 3D printers. Parents looking to purchase a printer for a young maker will be happy with the simplicity of use in addition to these safety features. More advanced users will quickly find that the closed nature of the Cube 2 and its disappointing print quality makes this not the printer for them.

Primo Features

  • Print over wi-fi or from USB flash drive.
  • Touchscreen interface
  • Magnetically attached build platform for easy removal
  • CubeStick glue creates a sure-thing bond to your platform.

Who’s It For?

  • Young Makers
  • Educators
  • Beginners

Pro Tips

  • Soak the build platform in water to dissolve the magic CubeStick glue.
  • Touchscreen interface allows you to level the bed and adjust nozzle height.
  • The built-in wireless network sets up as an “ad hoc” hotspot so you can print wirelessly on the go.

Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing 2014This review first appeared in MAKE’s Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing 2014, page 72. Check out the full issue for more!

0 thoughts on “Cube 2

  1. Steve says:

    Just because the design is cute, does not mean that the product is easy to use. My experience is that is has been almost impossible to use due to the design of the filament feed mechanism preventing loading/unloading. 3D Systems generously send me replacement parts but they worked no better. 3DSystems employs a chip to ensure you use their overpriced filament cartridges. But the prongs on the machine are very fragile – meant for cell phone battery not contact with to a big heavy filament cartridge. Once these break, you are stuck with an unusable printer. I had to take the whole unit apart and start soldering new contacts on to get the unit to recognize the cassette. Finally 3D Systems requires you to use their special Cubestick rather than using a heated platform that all other printers employ. Too much or too little glue won’t work and if the glue dries while you struggle to load the filament, the printed part will move and you end up with a birdsnest of tangled filament instead of a printed part. Buyer beware.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

I design games for work and for fun. I recently graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design, and am now employed as a designer at Toys for Bob.

View more articles by Blake Maloof

Matt is a community organizer and founder of 3DPPVD, Ocean State Maker Mill, and HackPittsburgh. He is Make's digital fabrication and reviews editor.

View more articles by Matt Stultz

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK