The Voron 2.4 is a popular open source 3D printer designed for advanced users and tinkerers. With its unique CoreXY kinematics, robust all-metal construction, and customizability, the Voron 2.4 has become a favorite in the 3D printing community. In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore what makes the Voron 2.4 such an exceptional machine.
What is the Voron 2.4?
The Voron 2.4 is a kit 3D printer released in 2020 by Voron Design, an open source 3D printer company. The 2.4 is the latest iteration in their line of Voron printers, building upon the successes of previous versions like the Voron 2.1 and 2.2.
At its core, the Voron 2.4 is a Cartesian-style CoreXY 3D printer with a build volume of 250 x 240 x 240 mm. This compact yet capable build area, combined with speedy and accurate kinematics, makes the 2.4 a great machine for printing both large, detailed prints as well as smaller batch productions.
The 2.4 was designed by the Voron team to be highly modular and customizable. Nearly every component can be configured or swapped to suit a user’s needs and preferences. This versatility has made the Voron 2.4 popular with experienced makers and 3D printing enthusiasts.
Key Features of the Voron 2.4
Here are some of the top features that make the Voron 2.4 stand out:
- CoreXY Kinematics: The Voron 2.4 utilizes CoreXY, a unique Cartesian kinematic system known for fast printing speeds, precision, and a lightweight moving gantry. This gives the 2.4 exceptional performance.
- Rigid Frame: The 2.4 has an all-metal frame constructed from thick extruded aluminum rails and plates. This rigid frame minimizes vibrations for clean, accurate prints.
- 350mm/s Speed: Thanks to its CoreXY kinematics and sturdy design, the Voron 2.4 can print incredibly fast at speeds up to 350mm/s. This results in excellent throughput.
- Auto Bed Leveling: An inductive probe is used to auto-calibrate the print bed before every print. This makes bed leveling completely automated.
- Removable Magnetic Bed: Quickly remove prints from the spring steel print surface using the flexible magnetic build plate. This also makes build plate cleaning easy.
- 24V Electronics: Higher voltage electronics enable faster heating for both the hotend and heated bed compared to traditional 12V systems.
- Online Printing: With the addition of a Raspberry Pi, the 2.4 can connect to the internet for wireless printing and monitoring.
- Full Enclosure: An optional full enclosure (sourced separately) can be added to the 2.4 for printing temperature-sensitive materials.
- Customization: Nearly every component of the 2.4 can be personalized, modified, or upgraded thanks to the Voron’s open source nature.
Why CoreXY?
One of the Voron 2.4’s defining features is its use of the innovative CoreXY kinematic system. But what exactly is CoreXY and why is it beneficial?
CoreXY is a Cartesian system that uses a unique belt drive setup to move the print head rapidly and accurately in both the X and Y axes simultaneously. This differs from standard Cartesian machines that move each axis independently.
By tying both X and Y motion to diagonal belts, CoreXY is able to achieve faster printing speeds and acceleration compared to traditional Cartesian systems. The lightweight gantry also minimizes vibrations for improved print quality.
For the Voron 2.4, CoreXY was selected to deliver blazing fast print speeds of up to 350mm/s while still retaining precise detail and geometry. The excellent speed and accuracy of CoreXY make it an ideal choice for the Voron design goals.
Rigid Extruded Aluminum Frame
A key aspect of any 3D printer is the printer’s frame. For the Voron 2.4, an extremely rigid frame was essential to complement the capabilities of the high-speed CoreXY system.
The designer opted for an all-metal frame construction using thick extruded aluminum profiles for the base, vertical columns, and horizontal rails.
Extruded aluminum provides excellent rigidity while still remaining lightweight compared to alternatives like cast metal or steel frames. The thick 3030 and 4040 aluminum extrusions used in the 2.4 provide superior stiffness to minimize vibrations that could negatively impact print quality at high speeds.
All frame joints utilize corner brackets and braces for maximum durability. The resulting frame is rock solid with virtually no flex during printing.
This rigid frame gives the moving gantry the stable and vibration-free base it needs to produce clean, accurate prints even when printing at the machine’s top speed of 350mm/s.
Auto Bed Leveling with Inductive Probe
Getting a properly trammed and leveled print bed is critical for successful prints. To make bed leveling as easy as possible, the Voron 2.4 comes equipped with an integrated inductive probe for auto bed leveling.
The probe acts as a sensor to digitally map the surface of the print bed before starting a print. It takes multiple touchpoint measurements across the bed and uses these values to algorithmically compensate for any deviations.
This automated leveling process, known as mesh bed leveling, completely eliminates the need to manually adjust the bed screws and knobs to tram the bed.
Once probing is complete, a perfectly uniform print surface is achieved regardless of any underlying imperfections in the bed itself. Prints adhere smoothly across 100% of the bed area.
The auto bed leveling probe also doubles as the print head’s Z-axis endstop. It triggers when the nozzle makes contact, allowing consistent first layer heights across all areas of the bed.
Having automated bed leveling is a huge convenience that takes yet another tricky printing variable out of the user’s hands. The inductive probe is a key feature that contributes to the Voron’s reputation for ease of use.
24V Electronics for Rapid Heating
3D printers rely on heating systems to melt the plastic filament and keep the print bed hot during printing. To achieve the fast printing speeds that the Voron 2.4 is capable of, the print head and bed must be able to heat up extremely rapidly.
For this reason, the 2.4 uses a 24V power system to drive its heating components rather than the traditional 12V electronics used in many printers.
The higher voltage enables much faster heating of both the print head hotend and the heated print bed. By using 24V, the Voron 2.4 can reach its peak operating temperatures up to twice as fast as comparable 12V systems.
Faster heating means less downtime waiting for the printer to come up to temperature before starting a print. The high-powered 24V electronics help maximize the 2.4’s overall printing throughput.
Removable Spring Steel & Magnetic PEI Sheet
PEI (polyetherimide) sheets are widely considered the best and most reliable 3D printer bed surfaces. PEI sticks well when hot, but releases prints easily when cool.
The Voron 2.4 print bed takes advantage of PEI’s excellent properties by using a flexible spring steel sheet coated in PEI film.
The spring steel sheet adheres securely to the aluminum bed using strong neodymium magnets. This makes the PEI print surface conveniently removable for print removal and sheet cleaning.
PEI films provide an ideal balance of bed adhesion and print release. Compared to alternatives like BuildTak or blue tape, PEI films are much more durable and longer-lasting.
The removable magnetic spring steel sheet makes print removal foolproof. Flexing the steel sheet pops completed prints off instantly. The sheet also withstands repeated cleaning without damage, lasting for many hundreds of print hours.
Raspberry Pi Printer Control
While the Voron 2.4 can function as a standalone desktop 3D printer, the design also allows integrating a Raspberry Pi for advanced features and remote control capabilities.
Adding a Raspberry Pi Zero or similar single-board computer enables connecting the printer to a local network via WiFi. This in turn allows wireless printing from anywhere, as well as remote monitoring through a webcam.
A Raspberry Pi gives full access to the printer’s onboard web interface, allowing control and diagnostics through any web browser. The Pi also enables firmware updates, customization of printer settings, and other advanced controls.
For makers who want to truly optimize their Voron 2.4, a Raspberry Pi unlocks the printer’s full potential. Wireless printing, time-lapse videos, and more become possible with just a simple Pi integration.
Full Enclosure Options
While the baseline Voron 2.4 is an open frame 3D printer, the design accommodates adding an aftermarket enclosure to create an enclosed build chamber.
A full enclosure is beneficial when printing with temperature-sensitive filaments like ABS or nylon. Keeping stable ambient temperatures around the print is critical for good layer adhesion and minimizing warping with these materials.
Voron provides specific sizing guidelines and mounting points to attach third-party acrylic or aluminum frame enclosures. Panels snap into place securely while still keeping the printer fully accessible.
Having an optional enclosure further expands the materials possibilities for the 2.4. With an enclosure added, the Voron can print a huge range of both exotic filaments as well as standard PLA, PETG, and ABS.
Customization & Modifications
Part of the appeal of the Voron 2.4 is the virtually endless options for customizing and modifying the printer to suit specific needs or preferences.
Nearly every component of the 2.4 is designed to be user-configurable or replaceable. The open source nature of the printer means all schematics, parts lists, and design files are available for anyone to leverage.
Here are just some of the many ways users can customize their Voron 2.4:
- Switching to a different hotend like the E3D Hemera or Dragon
- Adding a dual-extrusion system for multi-material/multi-color printing
- Changing the bed size or print volume
- Experimenting with alternate bed surfaces like glass or BuildTak
- Mounting the electronics externally for easier access
- Integrating LED lighting or RGB LED strips
- Upgrading motors, power supply, or electronics
- Modifying firmware and adjusting slicer settings
- Printing and installing custom cosmetic panels/covers
The possibilities are endless. For tinkerers who really enjoy making a printer their own, the openness of the Voron 2.4 is a huge advantage compared to other closed-system printers.
Voron 2.4 Kit Print Quality
Of course, the most important metric of any 3D printer is the actual print quality it can achieve. Being open source, Vorons are available both as build-it-yourself kits as well as pre-built machines.
User reports indicate that completed Voron 2.4 kits are capable of exceptional print quality on par with the best pre-built Cartesian printers. When properly assembled and calibrated, the 2.4 produces parts with excellent accuracy, details, strength, and surface finish.
The combination of speed and precision provided by the CoreXY motion system enables the 2.4 to create beautiful functional prints across all common filaments. The enclosed build area option further expands material possibilities.
While building from a kit does require some mechanical skill and experience, the Voron’s foolproof instructions and active user community make assembly straightforward for motivated beginners.
Kit builders are rewarded with an amazing price/performance ratio compared to pre-built alternatives. And the satisfaction of constructing your own machine is part of the fun!
Why Choose the Voron 2.4?
So when considering a new FDM printer in the $500-$1500 price range, why should you choose the Voron 2.4?
For advanced makers and tinkerers who enjoy constructing their own machines, the 2.4 kit is extremely rewarding to build and offers customization options galore.
The vast library of mods shared by the Voron community enable nearly infinite possibilities for experimenting and optimizing the printer to your needs. Having full open source access is a tinkerer’s dream.
Even users opting for a pre-built model gain the advantages of the printer’s robust architecture, speedy CoreXY kinematics, and outstanding print quality. Reliable performance right out of the box places the 2.4 among the top enthusiast-grade printers on the market.
For those seeking pure speed, the 350mm/s rating of the 2.4 blows away comparably priced Cartesian printers. Exceptional engineering and thoughtful design maximize both print speed and quality.
Ultimately, Voron printers are true passion projects created by engineers for engineers. The care and technical prowess evidenced in the Voron 2.4’s design makes this an ideal machine for experienced makers ready to take their 3D printing skills to the next level.
Getting Started With the Voron 2.4
Ready to get your hands on one of these exceptional 3D printers? Here are the basic steps to start your journey:
- Join the Voron Discord community to connect with other users and learn about the latest mods and tweaks.
- Purchase a kit or pre-built 2.4 from a vendor like VoronDesign.com, PrintedSolid, or MatterHackers.
- Watch online build tutorials to prepare – YouTubers like Edge of Tech have great videos documenting the process.
- Print/acquire any needed tools like hex drivers. Also source electronics parts not in the kit like a Raspberry Pi.
- Carefully work through the build instructions manual to construct your printer. Don’t rush it!
- Install firmware such as the popular Klipper firmware with Fluidd/Mainsail forAdded features like input shaping.
- Dial in your slicer profiles for materials you want to print with. Adapt sample profiles from other users.
- Start printing! Try benchmark prints to dial in the printer, then have fun creating.
The Voron 2.4 is an elite open source printer, but also an accessible one thanks to the supportive community. Follow the advice above and you’ll soon be fabricating amazing prints on one of the most capable desktop FDM machines available. Happy printing!
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