Fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing is rapidly evolving. Among the plethora of 3D printers available, each with its own merits and drawbacks, the CoreXY design has been increasingly catching the eye of many enthusiasts and professionals alike. This unique design, which offers a blend of speed, precision, and compactness, has been gaining traction and seems to be a significant player in shaping the future of desktop FDM 3D printers.
Why the sudden surge in popularity? Much of it is driven by the impressive achievements of machines like Bambu Lab’s P1P and X1 series. These FDM machines have demonstrated that the CoreXY design can effectively achieve high-speed printing, which seems to be the next frontier in 3D printing.
In this article, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of CoreXY 3D printers. We’ll demystify the mechanics behind the CoreXY movement and see how it compares with other styles of printers, such as the Prusa i3 MK3. Furthermore, we’ll present an overview of some popular CoreXY 3D printers currently dominating the market.
But first things first, what’s a CoreXY 3D printer?
Understanding the mechanics behind the CoreXY’s movement can be a bit challenging at first, but its advantages make it worth delving into. At its heart, the CoreXY design utilizes a special belt arrangement that allows for high-speed, precise movements, making it an ideal choice for modern, high-throughput FDM machines.
Distinct from traditional Cartesian 3D printers where one motor drives one axis of movement, the CoreXY configuration employs two motors working in unison to control the printhead’s movement in both the X- and Y-axes. These motors remain stationary on the frame’s corners, instead of moving with the printhead (like Cartesian printer designs), reducing the weight of the moving parts.
The true innovation in CoreXY lies in its belt arrangement that allows for such coordinated movement. If one motor rotates while the other remains stationary, the belt moves the printhead diagonally. Rotate both motors in the same direction, and the printhead traverses diagonally on the XY-plane. In essence, the printhead’s movement is precisely controlled by two motors working in unison. Vector 3D’s YouTube video offers a great visual representation of this.
Unlike its Cartesian counterpart, which traditionally moves the bed along the Y-axis, CoreXY printers often fix the printhead assembly to the XY-plane with the print bed moving up and down the Z-axis. This also means that the build plate of a CoreXY printer doesn’t move around and extend its footprint while printing, unlike their Cartesian counterparts.
These design choices eliminate excess vibrations from a moving build plate and heavy extrusion system, resulting in a more stable design and fewer print artifacts. The lightweight moving components of CoreXY printers allow for superior printing speeds without sacrificing print quality. And in the landscape of 3D printing, the combination of speed and precision is in high demand.
The unique mechanical design of CoreXY 3D printers provides a multitude of advantages that sets them apart in the world of 3D printing.
While CoreXY 3D printers boast several advantages, they are not without their limitations. Understanding these can provide a balanced view of what these printers can offer.
The CoreXY design, with its distinct advantages, has been adopted by several noteworthy 3D printer models. Below are a few standouts that illustrate the capabilities of the CoreXY system.
License: The text of "CoreXY 3D Printer: All You Need to Know" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.