As the technology evolves, 3D printing becomes an easier and faster process, and sometimes – in the words of a great professor – evolution leaps forward.
The Anycubic Kobra 2 is one of the fastest upcoming FDM printers capable of up to 5x the speed of the average machine. It’s an exciting and affordable printer that any hobbyist or professional will love if speed is the main draw.
But it’s not just the fast printing that’s got us excited about the Anycubic Kobra 2 FDM printer, so here we’ll look at what makes the Kobra 2 a great printer for anyone looking to begin, or expand, their 3D printing adventures.
Fast Printing
As we’ve discussed, the Anycubic Kobra 2 is capable of incredible print speeds. The default is a whopping 150mm/s with an unbelievable max speed of 250mm/s. Those of you accustomed to FDM printing and its standard speeds will know just how much faster this is, beating the average of 60-80mm/s of most machines.
Upgraded Extrusion System
The unbelievable speed of the Kobra 2 is thanks to many updated features, not the least of which is its new dual-gear direct drive extrusion system. This system tightly grips the filament to make sure it doesn’t move around while printing each layer, adding to both the reliability and quality of the print by making sure the layers align as they should.
This system also heats the filament much faster than most FDM printers, adding to the print speed by getting the filament ready for extrusion much faster.
Impressive Cooling Fan
Of course, heating the filament faster will make it come out more quickly and hotter than usual, but fear not, Anycubic has also upgraded the cooling fan to spin at 700rpm. This cools the filament quickly and efficiently to ensure layer precision even at hotter temperatures and faster print speeds.
Improved Hardware
The Kobra 2’s frame is built to handle faster speeds. Unlike many FDM printers, which will vibrate and shake more at higher speed settings, the Kobra 2 has expertly placed alignments for its various parts to make sure they don’t rub together or create any unnecessary and damaging friction.
The axis placements ensure that they will move quickly to keep up with the higher speeds, making sure the layers are precise and the printer stays sturdy and stoic even when pushed to its limits.
Failure Sensor
In the event of a power outage or other unexpected failure, the Kobra 2 will automatically pause the project and will be ready to resume it as soon as the power comes back. It also has a filament sensor that will automatically halt printing if the filament runs out, preventing failed projects and allowing you to continue at your leisure.
Beginner Friendly and Intuitive Usability
The many features of the Kobra 2 may seem daunting to those of you who are new to 3D printing, but fear not. As well as being fast and affordable, the Kobra 2 was designed to be easy to set up and use regardless of previous experience.
Partially Pre-Assembled Frame
The kit comes semi-assembled and needs no soldering or any particular mechanical know-how to get going. Anycubic estimates a mere 10 minute assembly time for even the newest of newbies.
Easy Touchscreen
The touchscreen interface is easy to access and navigate even during printing. Beginners to 3D printing will love how intuitive it is and even veterans will find its accessibility refreshing when compared to more complex machines.
Magnetic Build Plate
The build plate is magnetic and spring-set. This, when combined with the rapid cooling of the upgraded fan, makes models very easy to remove when complete, which stays true even with notoriously sticky or awkward filaments.
Price
The Anycubic Kobra 2 will be available on May 20th 2023 at the fantastically affordable price of $269 (or €299 on June 1st for European customers). You can choose from a number of retailers including Amazon, eBay, Walmart, or Anycubic’s own official store.
