


Ender 4: OPTIONAL
The End-of-Filament Sensor
Among the options of this printer I wanted to try the end of filament sensor. The Ender 4 in fact integrates a very practical end of filament sensor that in case the filament to be extruded ends interrupts the printing, raises the extruder group, keeping the temperature, giving us a way to restore it or even change color.
It is not all gold that glitters, however.
This sensor consists of a simple end stop and if the filament is a little curved (as happens with the filament imbobinato) the sensor does not read it and you end up with the print constantly interrupted. I ended up threading a stump of wire into the sensor that I pull out when I want to replace the wire or change color. I just use it as a wire end sensor only if I actually run the risk of finishing the filament!
Bed leveling capacitive sensor
Another very useful option is the capacitive sensor to level the bed(correct small imperfections in the leveling), the green sensor Sn04 that you have all already seen. This sensor is very precise and I personally find it very useful. Obviously the use of this sensor precludes the use of glass (can perceive the metal at about 2mm). As you all know, the corexy moves the extruder on the X and Y axes, and the plate in Z (Prusa models moves the extruder in X and Z and the plate in Y). This feature means that the platter does not suffer particularly from inertia. So, as an overplatter, I chose a 1.5 mm stainless steel plate. The weight of almost one kilogram of the plate does not adversely affect the print and keeps the shape much better than a possible substitute, aluminum, which tends to deform easily.
The laser engraver
Another intriguing option offered by this printer is the laser engraver, which I did not miss. The laser (magnetized) puts itself in position very easily and is able to engrave on paper, wood and metal (250W). Here, too, however, there is no shortage of defects. One of them is the program to create the gcode of the engravings totally in Chinese. It takes a lot of testing to understand what you are doing! Then the whole die is very manual. The laser, connected to the output of the fan layer must be activated manually before starting the Gcode, and in a hurry after the beginning you must adjust the focus of the laser to make it incisive. This laboriousness, combined with a not brilliant creation of the drawings convinced me to desist and not use much of this function. But I propose to take it back in hand in the future and try to study it better.
NB: If you opt for the version with laser engraver, if you are not engraving, do not feed it, detaching it as in the photo. If you don’t remember to deselect the fan layer when preparing the model, this laser can do serious damage in the house because it is powerful. I speak from experience, having forgotten a few minutes turned on just in this mode marked me the base of the PC monitor.
Some Flaws
Ender 4: Price
Now let’s get to the fun. This printer Creality Ender-4 is sold for about 300 €. for the basic version, up to 400 €. for the full optional version only on Aliexpress.
The good news is that for purchases from official store Creality on AliExpress you can select to want to receive it from Germany and do not pay any customs duty, although the price will obviously rise a little!
A Corexy of this quality at 300 €. had never been seen!
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