Affordable FDM printers are convenient to start with because they are easy to find and also easy to the pocket. Whether you are a new enthusiast or user who will need the capability of a 3D machine, Voxelab Aquila Vs Ender 3 are perfect options for those who want to start into the hobby and interested in additive manufacturing. We can learn the skill and troubleshoot various common issues with them but, let’s see what you can get from the two before deciding to spend on one.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- How to Improve Your 3D Printer
- What are Voxelab Aquila and Ender 3
- How are the Design of Voxelab Aquila and Ender 3
- How are the Capacity of Voxelab Aquila and Ender 3
- How are the Build Plate in Voxelab Aquila and Ender 3
- How are the Hot End in Voxelab Aquila and Ender 3
- Voxelab Aquila Vs Ender 3
Improving FDM 3D Printer
FDM is the most common machine when it comes to 3D printing because this is also the most convenient way to create something out of the affordable plastic filament that we can buy from lots of different brands. The machine itself is very affordable which makes it a great starter for anyone who is interested in additive manufacturing. Because the material is solid, it is also more convenient and easy to work with compared to resin printers like Flashforge Finder vs Ender 3.
The thing about affordable FDM printers is they may need a lot of work before we can produce a good quality result and this not only takes time but sometimes also more budget to change the parts that don’t work properly. There are so many factors that can affect your printed result both from the machine and from the software we use to slice the model. This is why there is actually a lot we can do to improve the machine’s performance or print quality itself.
One of the most common troubleshooting is reducing the print speed because if time is not something that you are chasing, we can reduce the speed to improve the overall quality of the print because this way the machine has more time to do its job best. It can be tempting to try the highest speed possible but without the proper improvement on the machine, it may harm the printing result than giving you the best printed model.
The next common troubleshooting is leveling the bed plate and adjusting the nozzle height. It is a must do when you get the machine but some people may forget due to the heat of the moment and want to try the machine quickly. If not properly adjusted, the printer will fail to work properly as well such as producing filament height or width gaps and warped prints. We can fix it by adjusting both the bed plate and the nozzle height manually. There are lots of guides for FDM machines that you can find on the internet.
As important as how the bed is leveled, we also need to make sure that the nozzle is at the correct temperature. Your machine requires a heating process to work because we need to melt the filament before depositing it and if in case they are too hot, the machine can’t make a bridge on the model or the filament will be messy and droopy. The temperature can be easily adjusted from the menu but sometimes they are not as accurate and there is probably a need to use an external tool to determine it.
| Voxelab Aquila | Voxelab Ender 3 | |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
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| Product Dimensions | 22.1 x 14.9 x 8.6 inches | 8.7 x 8.7 x 9.8 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 21.8 Pounds | 17.64 Pounds |
| Best offer | Check price | Check price |
About Voxelab Aquila and Ender 3
For an enthusiast or people who are interested in additive manufacturing, affordable FDM printers are amazing for their value. They are quite bare on the features so there is not much to fiddle about but chances are you will need to do some troubleshooting later that can teach you about the way they work and adding experience to build the skill. Since they are also cheap, it is safe to buy in case you lose interest later.
When it comes to FDM 3D printers, we have tons of options to choose from based on which seems to fit you the most. Brands like Creality is always good but not only because of their low price point but also because of the popularity. The more common the machine is the easiest to find people with similar issues and thus, helpful when you need to find a solution in the future. But, they are not the only one with quality products because Voxelab is also an equally good option.
For those who want to spend less than $200, the Voxelab Aquila and Ender 3 are promising options to consider. The Ender 3 may be the pioneer of a low-cost FDM printer but after the market responds with enthusiasm, it is time for other manufacturers to jump into the competition and here we have Voxelab with its Aquila. This machine is very similar to the original Ender 3 which is now branched into so many different variants already, some with minor upgrades and some are quite prominent.
One of them is Ender 3 V2 which improves some of the crucial factors including the extruder and printing bed but, we can get the similar machine by spending less and this is what Aquila is trying to offer. This machine is just slightly more expensive than the original Ender 3 but comes with some upgrades. Overall we like the Voxelab Aquila and Ender 3 but different people may have different experiences.
Voxelab Aquila and Ender 3 Design
Seeing the Voxelab Aquila and Ender 3 for the first time, they are identical just like most bare FDM machines out there and the most noticeable difference is that Aquila is more streamline because the power unit is not installed out of the main housing like in the Ender 3. It makes the machine look cleaner and also just pleasant to the eyes. The material is steel, both machines are very robust so we don’t have any complaint but the manual assembly.
Another prominent difference is the control panel. As you can see the controller LCD in Ender 3 is very basic which is why it gets updated to become larger in the V2 while Aquila is already doing it for this entry-level machine. It is still controlled using the rotating knob or button but at least the screen is more pleasant to use. In addition both Creality and Voxelab give a small sample filament to let you start printing quickly.
Voxelab Aquila and Ender 3 Build Volume
Now for the most important part, let’s see what Voxelab Aquila and Ender 3 can offer starting from the build volume. Most entry-level machines can make a decent printing size but different users may want a different capacity as well which is why we highly recommend considering what products or objects you will be making with them as it is not expandable. In this part both printers are the same or can produce a model up to 220 x 220 x 250 mm.
Voxelab Aquila and Ender 3 Build Plate
Next let’s see the building bed on these machines which is quite different. This is because the Ender 3 uses the removable plate that is secured with the paperclip on its edges. You can use other types of base as well but this is what comes with the machine. On the other hand Aquila is using a type of glass bed but with a different texture. It is a borosilicate glass plate so the material has a texture on one side and is smooth on the other. It still needs paper clips to secure however.
In terms of performance, they are reliable but for different materials in comparison, because Aquila works almost seamlessly with common materials except for PTEG as ABS and PLA are fine. PTEG requires some help from the glue stick but for the base in Ender 3, it may need the glue when working with ABS while PTEG is not an issue. Overall the two work well but if you prefer the machine with a flexible print base, Ender 3 is the option for you.
Voxelab Aquila and Ender 3 Hot End
As for the hot end, we do think it is also limited here because the capability of your hot end to heat up to a certain degree is necessary in deciding what material can be used by the machine. In this part the Ender 3 can heat up to 280 degree but note that its housing is plastic so the temperature is limited to 240 degree while the Aquila is already stated to heat up to 250 degree Celsius and in general they are great only for beginners or those who will not use a wider range of materials.
Voxelab Aquila vs Ender 3
Both of Voxelab Aquila and Ender 3 are good machines but probably for different people yet, in comparison the two are equally capable. We almost forget to mention that both are open source so they are easy to upgrade. The prominent difference is only on the printer styling, the print bed, and control board which makes Aquila a better looking machine as well as the one with a better control panel, at least for the experience.
Conclusion
It is up to your judgment whether the upgrades are worth the price gap but we do think the two machines are similarly working well while also being straightforward. In case the upgrades don’t sound as attractive to you, we can save a little bit and go with the original Ender 3.