To get a good first impression for our Artillery Genius review, we printed the two torture tests on a new, freshly unboxed and unaltered machine, using PLA filament and averaged slicer settings for the ranges specified for the material.

Benchmarking Object 1: Benchy

We used white eSun PLA+ filament. For preparing the needed G-code, we used the slicing software Repetier Host V2.1.3 included on the provided SD card. The memory drive also includes a Slic3r configuration bundle that needs to be loaded into Repetier’s Slic3r engine (or alternatively, directly into your favorite variant of Slic3r itself). While not as straightforward as loading a Cura profile, it works well enough, and the process is laid out in the included instructions.

We set the hot-end temperature to 215 °C and the bed to 60 °C for the benchmarking process.

It took us 1 attempt to 3D print a Benchy after loading the Slic3r config.

We measured the physical dimensions of the print. The Artillery Genius achieved  14 out of 15 points. Yet we found several problems at the visual inspection.

• Surfaces: The surface’s results were not overly pleasing at the visual inspection. To begin with, we found some under extrusion in the print. We also found a poor Z-alignment. The bow’s overhang displayed as well inconsistent layering.
• Details: The results were somewhere passable. The helm was under extruded and the front window frame had a variable width on the vertical axis. However, the chimney and the box were nicely printed and kept their relative proportions.
• Overall consistency: The overall consistency was passable, but far from excellent. Some of the main aspects to tackle are the inconsistent layers and the under extrusion at different points in the print.

Benchmarking Object 2: Kickstarter Autodesk Test

The Autodesk Kickstarter test model looks at an FDM printer’s precision. We used the same white eSun PLA+ filament and the same temperature settings (215 / 60).

With a score of 18 of 30 points, the Artillery Genius delivered only mediocre results. While inspecting the test visually, we found several problems:

• Surfaces: The main problem that we could identify was the poor Z-axis alignment, which was consistent through the benchmarking. A secondary problem was seen in the numbers accompanying the fine negative features. Additionally, the surface had small spikes left by the melted plastic upon completing the details.
• Details: The Genius did well on the fine negative features. However, the other details were generally poor, and we found the numbers to be slightly diffused. We also found some messy layers in the targets, in particular on the ~10 mm one, which showed some over extrusion. This problem can be minimized (and possibly eliminated) by lowering the printing speeds. Yet, with the vanilla state, this inaccuracy messed with both the dimensional accuracy and visual inspection.
• Consistency: The overall consistency was poor.

The Artillery Genius is a promising printing platform, but be aware that as a user you may need to spend some time tweaking your slicer settings to get the best possible quality out of the machine. After approximately 10 hours of printing, we can say that the results are definitely decent, but could use some polishing as well.

An additional test print (see above) exhibits excellent details and quality. There were only two observable issues, the first being some slight banding in the Z-axis. The second issue, while more subtle, is that fine details parallel to the y-axis were not as well defined. We believe this to be an indication that the default printing speed is too high, as the weight of the bed has not been compensated for.

We did like the fast heating bed and the speed at which the nozzle heats up. We were also positively impressed with cable management, which was excellent. Yet, you will need to have some patience to get the optimal settings running on this machine.

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Technology: FFF
• Year: 2019
• Assembly: Pre-assembled
• Mechanical arrangement: Cartesian Style
• Manufacturer: Artillery

3D PRINTING PROPERTIES

• Build volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
• Feeder system: Direct Drive
• Print head: Single nozzle
• Nozzle size: 0.4 mm
• Max. hot temperature: 240 °C
• Max. heated bed temperature: 130 °C
• Print bed material: Steel
• Frame: Aluminum
• Bed leveling: Semi-Automatic
• Connectivity: USB, TF-Card
• Print recovery: Yes
• Filament sensor: Yes
• Camera: No

MATERIALS:

• Filament diameter: 1.75 mm
• Third-party filament: Yes
• Filament materials: PLA, ABS, TPU, Flexible, Wood, PVA, HIPS

SOFTWARE:

• Recommended slicer: Cura
• Operating system: Windows, Mac
• File types: STL, OBJ, AMF

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT:

• Frame dimensions: 430 x 390 x 510 mm (590 mm with spool holder)
• Weight: 8.9 kg

You can pre-order the Artillery Genius from the following retailers.

Here you find the detailed results for the Artillery Genius test prints. For our benchmarking procedure, please click here.

Benchy

1. Overall length (60 mm ±1 % tolerance): 60.25 mm, 1 point given
2. Overall width (31 mm ±1 % tolerance): 31.07 mm, 1 point given
3. Bridge Roof length (23 mm ±1 % tolerance): 23.11 mm, 1 point given
4. Chimney roundness inner diameter (3 mm ±10 %): 2.68 mm, 0 points given
5. Chimney roundness outer diameter (7 mm ± 5 % tolerance): 6.96 mm, 1 point given
6. Vertical overall-height (48 mm ±1 % tolerance): 47.86 mm, 1 point given
7. Box depth (9 mm ± 5 % tolerance): 9.02 mm, 1 point given
8. Box inner length (7 mm ± 5 % tolerance): 6.71 mm, 1 point given
9. Box outer length (10.81 ± 5 % tolerance): 10.77 mm, 1 point given
10. Box outer width (12 mm ± 5 % tolerance): 12.06 mm, 1 point given
11. Box inner width: (9 mm ± 5 % tolerance): 7.8 mm, 1 point given
12. Hawsepipe inner diameter left (4 mm ±10 % tolerance): 3.97 mm, 1 point given
13. Hawsepipe inner diameter right (4 mm ±10 % tolerance): 3.80 mm, 1 point given
14. Bridge front window width (10.5 mm ±5 % tolerance): 10.33 mm, 1 point given
15. Rear window inner diameter (9 mm ±5 % tolerance): 8.81 mm, 1 point given

Kickstarter Autodesk Test

1. Dimensional Accuracy: 3 of 5 points (24.94 / 20.08 / 15.105 / 10.395 / 5.685)
2. Fine Flow Control: 2.5 points (all spires were printed without too much stringing)
3. Fine Negative Features: 4 points (four pins were removable)
4. Overhangs: 3 points (dropped loops began at the 20-degree overhang)
5. Bridging: 3 points (2 bridges contacted the surfaces beneath them)
6. XY Resonance: 2.5 points (no ringing detectable)
7. Z-axis alignment: 0 points (layer registration effect was visible)

Overall, the Artillery Genius scored 32 out of 45 points.

For the benchmarking element of our review, we use the following guidelines:

Unbox the printer: We unbox the printer and assemble it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Deficiencies and errors are noted and build around according to the consensus online for the printer.

Filament: We use white eSun PLA+ filament. Temperature settings are 215 °C for the nozzle and 60 °C for the bed.

Printing: We print two test models — Benchy and the Kickstarter x Autodesk FDM 3D Printer Assessment — using the manufacturer-provided/recommended slicer and settings. If the printer ships without a dedicated slicer and profile, we generate a generic Cura profile using the essential information of the printer.

After the first print, we inspect the object for easily fixable problems (i.e., a loose belt or a poorly leveled print bed) and then print again. If the printer can’t provide a decent result after three attempts, we stop. Printers that fail to produce a test object receive zero points for the respective test object.

1. Benchy

The Benchy 3D printer torture test is one of the world’s most popular prints. It helps to measure the dimensional accuracy capabilities of your printer and helps highlight other visible print nastiness.

We measure our best Benchy print using digital calipers, scoring 15 criteria against their target value. A total of 15 points are available.

1. Overall length: 60 mm
2. Overall width: 31 mm
3. Bridge Roof length: 23 mm
4. Chimney roundness inner diameter: 3 mm
5. Chimney roundness outer diameter: 7 mm
6. Vertical overall-height: 48 mm
7. Box depth: 9 mm
8. Box inner length: 7 mm
9. Box outer length: 10.81
10. Box outer width: 12 mm
11. Box inner width: 9 mm
12. Hawsepipe inner diameter left: 4 mm
13. Hawsepipe inner diameter right: 4 mm
14. Bridge front window width: 10.5 mm
15. Rear window inner diameter: 9 mm

To accommodate the difficulty and inaccuracies when measuring small features, we have implemented a sliding scale of tolerance in our scoring. The smaller the feature, the greater our allowance for deviation:

• 60 mm to 23 mm: 1 percent tolerance allowed
• 23 mm to 7 mm: 5 percent tolerance allowed
• 7 mm to 0 mm: 10 percent tolerance allowed

Finally, we do a visual inspection.

2. Kickstarter x Autodesk FDM 3D Printer Assessment

The Kickstarter x Autodesk print exposes an FDM printer’s precision via six distinct tests in one object.

By pushing a printer’s hardware and software the system to the point of failure, the print reliably visible imperfections that can be used to assess the performance of the slicer, the extruder, and the motion system together.

Here’s what’s getting measured.

• Dimensional Accuracy
• Fine Flow Control
• Fine Negative Features
• Overhangs
• Bridging
• XY Resonance
• Z-axis alignment

The tolerances and measurements are very detailed. You can find the exact measuring procedure on Github. The highest possible score is 30, indicating a very well-calibrated system.

It’s worth noting that these benchmarking tests are not a definitive measure of a printer’s worth. More an indication of a printer’s state out of the box with no-tinkering, it’s only after a full evaluation and in-depth review that we fully judge a 3D printer.