The Ultimate Guide to Voxelab 3D Printers

Voxelab has quickly become one of the most popular budget 3D printer brands for beginners and hobbyists. Their lineup of affordable, quality printers like the Aquila and Aquila X2 offer great value for money. In this guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at Voxelab printers, key features, print quality, tips, accessories, and more to help you decide if a Voxelab printer is right for you.

Overview of Voxelab 3D Printers

Voxelab is a sub-brand under FlashForge, which is one of the biggest 3D printer manufacturers in China. They entered the budget segment in 2020 with the Voxelab Aquila, an affordable DIY kit 3D printer. The Aquila became wildly popular as a low-cost alternative to printers like the Creality Ender 3.

Voxelab has since expanded its lineup with updated variants like the Aquila X2 and Aquila S2, and the higher-end Aquila X2 Neo. The Voxelab Polaris is their resin-based SLA 3D printer. Key features across their FDM lineup include:

• Low cost – Under $200 to $300 price range
• Open frame, DIY kit style construction
• Bowden extruder system
• Heated print bed
• LCD touchscreen interface
• Print size: 220 x 220 x 250mm approximately

Their focus is on providing an easy-to-use budget printer with quality components, good print volume, and helpful features for beginners like leveling assistants. Let’s take a closer look at some of Voxelab’s most popular models.

Voxelab Aquila Series

The Voxelab Aquila series includes their best-selling budget printers and come in Original, X2, and S2 variants.

Aquila: The OG Aquila kicked off Voxelab’s rise in popularity as a great starter printer with impressive performance for the price. It has a Bowden setup with direct drive extruder, 32-bit mainboard, and standard features like resume print and thermal runaway protection.

Aquila X2: The Aquila X2 improves on the original with upgrades like quiet TMC2209 stepper drivers, dual Z-axis rods for better stability, and a new Sprite direct extruder for flexible filament printing. It’s one of the best value FDM printers available.

Aquila S2: A squared-off variant with enclosed design to reduce noise and improve heating. Still boasts large 220 x 220 x 260mm build volume.

Voxelab Aquila X2 Neo

The Aquila X2 Neo is Voxelab’s high-performance model with more advanced features, including auto bed leveling and dual gear direct drive extruder. This makes it suitable for flexibles and higher detail prints. Other upgrades:

• 32-bit silent motherboard
• Brushless 24V fans for quieter and cooler printing
• Sturdy metal internal framework
• LCD panel with click knob for easier navigation
• Max print speed 150mm/s

For hobbyists willing to spend a bit more, the Aquila X2 Neo provides great value with its blend of print quality, reliability, and thoughtful design.

Voxelab Polaris MSLA Resin Printer

Voxelab’s first (and currently only) SLA resin 3D printer, the Polaris features an adjustable monochrome LCD, quiet linear rails, and a sturdy metal and alloy frame. Key specs:

• 5.5″ 2K monochrome LCD screen
• Build volume 130 x 82 x 165mm
• Layer resolution 0.01-0.15mm
• Print speed: 30mm/hour
• Compatible with 405nm resins

The Polaris competes with entry-level SLA printers from Elegoo and Anycubic. While not as refined as higher end resin printers, its competitive price and good community support make it a compelling budget pick for getting started with resin printing.

Voxelab Print Quality

One of the biggest selling points of Voxelab printers is print quality that rivals more expensive machines. Their Bowden extruder setups allow fast print speeds with good accuracy. Here are some key factors that contribute to quality results:

• Rigid metal frames minimize vibration that can cause artifacts and layer lines. The Aquila X2 Neo is particularly sturdy.
• Direct drive extruders on certain models like the X2 Neo improve flexibles printing.
• Auto bed leveling on select machines helps maintain consistent first layer adhesion.
• Quiet stepper motor drivers allow faster, smoother motion control.
• Heated beds up to 110C and enclosed builds minimize warping and improve layer bonding.

Of course, print settings, filament quality, and proper setup also impact print quality. But overall Voxelab printers can achieve exceptional detail and surface quality for the price when tuned properly. Expect clean prints with minimal stringing and smooth walls/curves.

Recommended Print Settings

Voxelab printers come preloaded with CURA as the slicer software. The stock profiles provide a good starting point, but you may need to fine tune settings for better results. Here are some recommended print settings for Voxelab models:

• Temperature: 200-210C for PLA, 230C for ABS, 240-250C for flexibles like TPU.
• Print Speed: 40-60mm/s is a good range for detailed prints. Can push to 100+mm/s for faster draft prints.
• Layer Height: 0.12mm for high detail, 0.2mm for stronger parts, 0.28mm for fastest prints.
• Retraction: Start with 5-6mm retraction at 45mm/s. Tune for specific filament.
• Cooling: 100% fan speed usually recommended. PETG may require lower fan speeds.
• Supports: Enable for overhangs >45 degrees with PLA and >60 for PETG. Use interface layers for easier removal.
• Bed adhesion: Clean bed and use glues/tapes for PLA. 70C+ for ABS.

Make sure to calibrate extruder e-steps and flow rate as well for accurate prints. Take it slow on your first prints, tweaking gradually until you dial in quality prints.

Excellent for Beginners

Voxelab printers are designed to be beginner-friendly, from the quick assembly to the intuitive controls. Self-leveling, stepper dampers, and other features also help smooth out the printing process for new users.

The print size is large enough for practical prints without being overwhelming. Open frame construction provides easy access and visibility. Excellent online documentation and videos make setup straightforward.

Voxelab’s responsive customer service provides guidance for any issues. The active user community serves as a valuable resource for tips, mods, accessories, and more.

Overall Voxelab printers are a perfect entry point for learning 3D printing. Their simplicity helps build confidence for taking on more advanced printers down the road.

Recommended Upgrades and Accessories

While Voxelab printers work great out of the box, there are a few handy upgrades and accessories worth considering:

• All-metal hotend upgrade for higher temperature prints
• Capricorn PTFE tubing for smoother filament path
• PEI or spring steel print surface for better adhesion
• Raspberry Pi camera for print monitoring
• Enclosure for temperature control
• Nozzle brush and cleaning needles to maintain extruder
• Bed-leveling STL models for manual leveling
• Giantarm metal filament guide for smoother feeding
• Touchscreen LCD upgrade for X2 and Aquila
• LED light strip for illuminating print area

Simple DIY mods like installing Alex firmware or incorporating a Raspberry Pi also boost functionality and convenience. Overall Voxelab machines have huge customization potential.

Top Tips for Better Prints

Follow these top tips and best practices to take your Voxelab print quality to the next level:

• Calibrate e-steps and flow rate correctly before printing
• Clean the print bed properly and use adhesives for better first layer adhesion
• Adjust the z-offset gradually to optimize first layer squish
• Enable z-hop in slicer to avoid knocking over small parts
• Slow outer walls and infill for cleaner prints and sharper corners
• Print calibration cubes and towers to dial in settings before larger prints
• Upgrade to silent motherboard and drivers for quieter and faster printing
• Try enclosure panels to prevent corner lifting and improve bridging
• Optimize part orientation for the cleanest surface finishes
• Adjust retraction, temperature, and speed settings for specific filament properties
• Check belt tension and add struts/braces to improve stability
• Update firmware and slicer profiles for new features and tweaks

Conclusion

Voxelab delivers outstanding value in the budget 3D printer segment. The Aquila series in particular has proven to be a hugely popular entry-level machine. With continual improvements and an active community, Voxelab printers are a smart choice for beginners looking for quality results on a budget. Just take the time to learn proper calibration and slicing techniques to maximize their potential.