Aldi 3d printer

Basics

Aldi's new 'mini' 3D printer Cocoon Create Model Maker: A rebrand of the 'Wanhao i3 Duplicator Mini'

Advantages

$299 when in stock. Less on clearance. About $350-380 from under the original brand from other online stores:

* https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wanhao-Duplicator-i3-Mini-3D-Printer-Ships-from-USA-/282697048544

* https://www.3dprinters4u.com.au/shop/product/39914/WANHAO-I3-MINITHE-ALL-NEW-POCKET-ROCKET-FROM-WANHAO/

Works out of the box with no assembly Simple setup, well packaged.

Good manual for hardware setup and test. Comes with enough filament to get started.

Bed leveling wizard built in and paper to help.

Quiet printing.

Metal construction, descent seeming parts

E3D clone print head! (But with caviet below) So replacement tips and heatbreaks might make a nice upgrade.

Disadvantage

Minimial software instructions beond a very few 'getting started' pages.

NO HEATED BED. So can't print ABS. PLA or PETG will be your main materials.

No dedicated cooling fan, so fine detail can be tricky.

Due to being a clone, hotend is PTFE lined rather than all metal so print temperature is limited to 140 continuous and 160 for limited times.

Example prints

Software

Instead of using cura/slic3r and an SD card, we are trying Matterhacker's 'Matter control' 3d printing software that works over USB.

Settings

Settings and Controls -> Settings -> Printer Switch to 'Basic' to 'Advanced'

Connection:

Baud Rate: 250,000

Print area:

Bed Size: 120×135

Print center: 60×65

Build Height: 100

Features:

Has Fan

Has SD Card

Extruder:

Nozzle Diameter: 0.3mm

Upgrades

Easy

E3D V6 Brass Nozzles

Replace 0.4 with 0.3mm for finer printing.

FAN DUCT WANHAO I3 MINI

Requires no modification or parts, uses existing fan but gives no controllable cooling.

Intermediate

Cocoon Create Model Maker (Wanhao Duplicator i3 Mini) mount with part-cooling fan

Requires minor wiring changes and new parts but allows for a proper controlled cooling fan.

Hard

Should be possible to upgrade bed to a heated one using cheap parts. This requires 3d printer and electronics knowledge and is not recommended for most users.