Introduction: Getting Started With Ender 3v3 Se and First Impressions

By Blog

Hi All,

Creality has launched a new Ender 3 v3 se 3d printer

In this instructable, I will share how to get started, with it.. and How different it is from Ender 3 (original). It is a huge upgrade in the price range of an entry-level 3D printer. But it has a few issues that I will share

Supplies

Ender 3 v3 Se

If in India, you could use the below links to buy it

I recommend buying it from Wol3d as they offer discounts compared to Amazon

I do not have any association with Amazon or Wol3d.

Step 1: Unbox

  • Open the box and place its contents on a table
  • You do not need to buy any tools, all are included in the package

Step 2: Assembly

  • Assembly is simple, follow the instructions from Creality or the official video here
  • The printer comes 90% pre-assembled
  • We need to put the gantry and base together
  • Fix the screen and some wires
  • Remember to set 110V or 230V based on your location
  • Assembly took me 15 to 25 minutes unlike few hours on my ender 3

Step 3: Bed Leveling

  • The first thing one needs to do is to auto-level the bed
  • The process is simple and the printer does it all
  • As you can see in the picture, my bed is wrapped
  • The printer should be able to adjust automatically*
  • I am quite used to manual bed leveling and I miss the adjustment knobs

Step 4: Firmware Upgrade

Step 5: Printing

  • Since the printer is new, we do not have it in the Cura 5.4 slicer
  • The only option is to use Creality Print 4.3 or higher
  • If you have been using Cura for a long time, then will find creality slicer a bit hard to use
  • It has a marketplace for models, settings for printers, and profiles are mixed
  • issues with software
  • Limited profiles ( only 0.1 and 0.2 mm layer height)
  • No jerk control, even after enabling
  • Overlap between skin and top layer is not enough
  • Retraction settings needs to adjusted to lower value

Step 6: Print Quality

  • Over the weekend I printed a few different objects
  • my observations
  • Positives
  • Easy Installations
  • Quiter than Ender 3
  • 32 bit MB
  • Print at higher speeds
  • Direct drive
  • Can print big objects faster
  • Negatives
  • The creality slicer needs improvements
  • Jerk control needed for X and Y
  • Compensation for auto-leveling is not good
  • The flexible bed has a plastic layer, that easily melts
  • Many plastic parts are used, which could lead to unknown issues
  • Build volume dues to cable is reduced to 210mm on Z axis
  • Smaller objects need to be printed at lower speeds

Step 7: Cura

  • This step is optional: I tried to create a machine and profile that matches Creality's slicer
  • Machine definition cannot be exported or imported in Cura, so all steps are manual
  • In Cura add a new printer select Ender 3 s1 or higher
  • Then copy the setting from Creality Slicer to Cura
  • Then edit a standard 0.2 mm layer height as in the picture
  • I was able to print faster, without jerks, but was not able to get the same speeds as the Creality slicer
  • Needs more work

Step 8: Suggested Upgrades

  • Bed
  • Converting to an adjustable spring-screw mechanism is possible
  • Glass bed
  • Or PEI plate
  • Printer
  • Firmwave is still not open source, maybe later, we will be able to use Marlin and fix a few issues
  • The cooling fan is 3D-printed and needs to be changed with a better one
  • Cura slicer

I am happy with the printer, just that I miss a few tinkering options on it. Perfect for any beginner