Table of Contents
Introduction
We all know what printers do. They are external peripherals that can bring out those beautiful fine prints of colorful pictures and documents. You can find them in your offices, at your study desk, and in educational institutions like schools and colleges. We can convert the raw digital data into their hard copy in about seconds with the utmost accuracy through printers.
Anet A8 is a famous cheap 3D printer based on the Prusa i3 design. This Chinese printer is generous, but there’s an instruction guide you need to follow before operating that 3D printer. It has an exciting assembly process that will teach you in advance about how a 3D printer works. But once after doing it, you will find it the fastest printers around.
In this article, we will discuss this printer from A to Z – we will discuss its build, we will also discuss its assembly, raw performance, detailed specs, and how it compares to other products. In the end, we will also provide some alternatives to compare Anet A8’s performance.
So, hold on to your seat because we are about to begin!
Anet A8 3D Printer Review: The Details
Anet A8 is an affordable 3D printer. It is incredible because of its features as compared to other low-cost printers. Anet A8 has a metal frame structure of excellent quality. This composition has rendered it remarkable stability and durability. It is straightforward to adjust this printer anywhere because of its size. This printer gives you less oscillation during its operation. The printer doesn’t have a proper switch, which means the only way to power it down is to unplug it.
For connectivity, it offers the usual one-two combination of a USB connection and an SD card. It has DIY and a second version of modular; customers can select it according to their requirements. It has an automatic feeding and unloading function, which is easy for a user to solve feeding and refueling problems. It has a movable magnetic screen, breaking through the ergonomic design screen for easy functioning.
It has an aluminum frame with Y-axis and a Z-axis double. Besides, it has a threaded rod, a magnificent structure, and a high printing speed. You can have its axis loose or tight without any difficulty. It prevents the belt from jumping. It has a hotbed of an aluminum substrate and a glass panel. The printing is smooth, and removing it is also super easy. Its top-line feature is metal pulleys for better performance. Besides, its quick-release feed gives it fast and efficient filament extrusion and connectors. It prints a wide range of filaments.
As it comes with many intricate features, it follows that it will have as many intricate parts. It has many small parts that are fun to assemble for some pure frustration for people who want an out of the box working printer.
Anet A8 Specs
- The print area is 220×220×240 mm.
- The thickness of the layer is 0.1 – 0.3 mm.
- It has offline printing with a storage card.
- It has an LCD screen.
- The diameter of the material is 1.75mm.
- It supports Cura, Repetier-Host system.
- The Format of the file is G-code, OBJ, STL.
- The frame material is an acrylic plate.
- Its platform board has an aluminum base.
- It comes with a single nozzle.
- The diameter of the nozzle is 0.4 mm.
- Its printing speed can reach up to 100mm/s.
- Its maximum heating bed temperature is 205°F/ 96°C.
- Its maximum extruder temperature is 500°F/260°C.
- Its print bed level operates manually.
Anet A8 Print Speed
Despite it being a budget printer, it prints at high speed. With a printing speed of up to 100mm/s, you can get all your prints in no time. Although it prints using layer-by-layer printing technology, which should theoretically take more time, but surprisingly it prints out way faster than the estimated time.
Anet A8 Print Volume
Anet A8 features a black laser-cut acrylic frame and 220×220×240 printing volume. It is useful when you have to print large objects. Things like sculptures and small figures are best suitable for printing on this printer.
Anet A8 Print Quality
The printer’s quality is not so good, but you can improve it by ensuring that the bed is at its level and the nozzle is at a proper distance. Use a sheet of paper or feeler gauge to know the distance between the nozzle and bed. The nozzle temperature also affects the appearance of the print. If the nozzle is too hot, it could leave strings of filament between separate parts. While building tall pieces, high temperatures melt the earlier layers, resulting in malformation. However, you can include a 1 cm cube built on the opposite side of the build plate. It removes the hot nozzle from the print and allows time for cooling. You can use different build plates for different effects.
One thing we don’t like, though, is the print bed. The glass surface of the bed does not firmly grip the base of the print. Eventually, during the process, the print starts to drift from its place, and you can see a bit of warping in the final result. Sometimes the print doesn’t finish because the print bed gets displaced because of the nozzle. It is a common problem, and many users have experienced it. A right temporary solution is to put double-sided tape at the base to prevent the print from drifting away from its place. This way, you can have more durable prints.
Anet A8 Filament Types
The Anet A8 is compatible with 6 different types of filaments. These are ABS, PLA, wood, nylon, PP, and luminescent. They provide you with endless options for printing. Every filament from wood to PLA would work on this printer. Testing proves that PLA is the best for printing. Although you might struggle to insert the filament at first, you should get ready to see some fine prints once after doing it.
Feel free to check out our post on the best PLA filaments for 3D printing!
Anet A8 Print Bed Size
The print bed size is 220×220×240 mm. The bed size is okay for most prints, and you can print medium to comparatively large-sized prints. Just be aware of the bed drift and take preemptive measures to minimize it.
Anet A8 Set-Up
Pre-assembly
Setting up this printer can be challenging. It is where things start to unfold. To give you a bright idea, it can take days to assemble it correctly. Setting up requires much work, unrealistic patience, and effort on your part. Get ready for much frustration and failure. If you cast the first glance on it, you will find that the package is secure and well-packed. There are three sections in the package for different parts. The manufacturer has clearly labeled the parts so that you don’t have to guess which part goes where. The package includes everything you need to set it up.
The main problem is that there are quite a lot of parts. By a lot, we mean A Lot! From the frame to small nuts and bolts, you need to take extreme care into assembling it and even more care to make sure that you don’t lose any part. It also comes with handy tools and some extra parts just in case you lose them.
With all that in your hand, you would think it’s just a matter of time before you start using it, right?
Wrong!
Here is where it gets frustrating. We are amazed that despite having so many delicate parts and an intricate setup, there is no instructions manual at all! So you will have to rely on the SD card, which has a link to useful videos that you can watch and spend the same time watching them as you would spend on assembling it.
Videos will make your job a lot easier but will increase your time. It is always better to have a physical manual. The print bed is a pain to install, so you should expect some error while setting it up. However, the most annoying part is yet to come! It starts when you start uncovering the small plastic parts which have plastic tape on them. You need to remove all of them before you can put it inside. It also increases the assembly time. But this is your personal preference if you praise their effort to protect the parts or not. On our part, it was definitely an overkill.
Assembly
Now towards the assembly. So in dealing with many parts, you will have to decide your assembly into parts and not move haphazardly. Take one thing at a time and do follow the instructions. If you don’t get it, watch the videos again because if you put one part out of place, you will have trouble afterward assembling it, and you may have to take the whole thing apart. It would help if you were extremely meticulous while doing that.
Remember that the whole process can take up to 12 hours or even more if you know nothing about electronics.
Post-assembly
Your agony doesn’t stop here. There is still something you need to take care of after assembly. First is the bed. You cannot use it without calibration. We have already mentioned that it doesn’t support auto-leveling, so you will have to do it manually. You might think you would spend some minutes leveling, and you are good to go. Wrong again! Leveling this thing is a real pain in the Netherlands. We don’t want to raise your expectations high as you are unlikely to get it right the very first time!
Then you have to deal with the filaments. Loading filaments is not a smooth process either. You can’t put the filament inside the feeder unless you try on and on again. You are incredibly patient and compromising enough to consider taking some parts off to do that.
You might be thinking that the assembly process is challenging and complicated. Well, we won’t say that you are wrong. It actually is! But look at the bright side. If you are someone new to 3D printing and electronics, this assembly will teach you many things that might take you months if you are doing some course. Remember, knowledge acquires next to nothing what experience can!
Pros
- It has an open filament system.
- It possesses a large build size.
- It has a heated print bed.
- It is super easy to upgrade.
- The price is reasonable.
- It has a solid body frame.
- It has all the tools which you require to assemble.
- It is suitable for beginners.
Cons
- It has an acrylic frame.
- It doesn’t have a proper printed instruction manual.
- Its cable management is poor.
- Its bed leveling is frustrating.
Alternatives
There is a wide variety of 3D printers. And from that, we have jotted down a list of 3D printers that may serve as alternatives for Anet A8.
Flash Forge 3D Printer, Creator Pro
This 3D printer is user-friendly. Its design makes it highly useful for home and academic institutes. Moreover, beginners find it easy in bed leveling along. Besides, it has a color touch screen and non-toxic PLA. The unit has all the heated components safely encased in it. The package includes an after-sale services card, power cable, filament guide cable, and a tool bag. Besides, it has a finder 3D printing, a startup PLA filament, a power adapter, and a USB cable.
The body of the printer is of plastic and alloy. Slide-in build plate allows easy removal of the printed objects. It comes with a 3.5-inch touchscreen with icons for easy use. The sturdy and plastic alloy body guarantees durable prints. It has Wi-Fi, USB, and flash drive connectivity.
Key Features
- Layer resolution is 100 to 500 microns.
- The filament diameter is 1.75 mm.
- The connectivity options are USB and Wi-Fi.
- The diameter of the nozzle is 0.4 mm.
- Printing technology is fused filament fabrication.
- Print bed volume is 140×140×140.
Dremel Digilab 3D 20 3D Printer
It is the most reliable product in the market. Its manufacturer aims at optimizing the printing experience for 3D printing enthusiasts. It is a beginner-friendly 3D printer. The Dremel system allows you to download and print free models. You can also create your design by using CAD software to infuse a soul into your ideas.
It comes with the 3D20 full-color LCD touch screen. Through the interface, you can modify the setting. The 3D 20 is fully enclosed to enhance the printing success rate by creating a suitable temperature inside. The non-toxic, recyclable PLA filament is safe to use at home. It does not have a heated bed.
Key Features
- Build volume is 230×150×140 mm.
- Layer height is 100 microns.
- Extruder type is single.
- Nozzle size is 0.4mm.
- Doesn’t have a heated bed.
- Has an enclosed print chamber.
- Manual bed leveling.
- Comes with two connectivity options-USB and an SD card.
- The filament diameter is 1.75mm.
Adventures 3D Printer Creality Ender 3v2 3D Printer
It consists of an all-metal body. Integrated structure design, with integrated structure and modular design. This machine hides a power supply in it, which makes it much safer and reliable. The carborundum glass platform allows the hotbed to heat quicker. It also helps to create ultra-smoothness even on the first layer. Smooth and quiet movement (< 50db) is assured by the silent motherboard during printing.
This machine can also resume its printing automatically after power-off. Rotary knob added on the extruder makes it easier to load and feed filament. The XY-axis tensioner supports conveniently adjusting the belt. Carbon crystal silicon glass-plate enables strong adhesion.
The print model doesn’t wrap. Protective power supply and resume print functions are pre-installed. So, there is no fear of accidental power failure during printing. This 3D printer is the best for its compact design. It is eco-friendly and noise-free. With all features, it is best for beginners.
Key Features
- Has a self-developed mute driver motherboard.
- Comes with a protective power supply.
- Has pre-installed resume print functions.
- Has a simple operation.
- Print size is 220×220×250.
- Layer thickness is 0.1 – 0.4 mm.
- The filament diameter is 1.75mm.
- The printing method is online or TF card offline printing.
- The material of the body is metal.
Final Words
Anet A8 is an affordable 3D printer based on the Prusa i3 design. Its compact design and DIY aspect make it the most appealing printer for many 3D printing enthusiasts. The setting of the Anet A8 is not an easy task. Its setup can take up to several days. However, users can learn a lot about printers while setting it up. It has several features at a reasonable price. If you are looking for an excellent 3D printer at a low price, Anet A8 is a great go-to option!
Already have the Anet A8 3D printer? You may want to give it some upgrade and we have got you covered. We made a post that discusses about the best Anet A8 upgrades, so please feel free to check it out and read it too.
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