CreatBot F430 3D Printer Review

Greetings! Over the course of this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about CreatBot F430 — an outstanding industrial 3D printer that features FDM technology. The most outstanding peculiarities of the machine are increased build volume and the ability to print with refractory filaments. 

Continue reading in order to realize the potential of CreatBot F430 and find out why it’s so useful in modern surgery.

 

Video Overview

 

About Henan Suwei Electronic Technology Co., LTD.

Source: facebook.com

Henan Suwei Electronic Technology Co., LTD is a Chinese manufacturer that supplies 3D printing equipment under their proprietary brand called CreatBot, while also providing contract manufacturing services. The company was established in 2011 and, at the time, mainly worked with corporate clientele focusing on large-scale projects. Back then, the company specialized on manufacturing of industrial printers, such as CreatBot D600.

Rescaling of the applied technologies was a wise choice, and soon enough, the company started offering compact desktop 3D printers that were highly demanded by private clients, educational institutions and small factories. In November 2013, CreatBot 3D printers were officially certified by the EU, and later on by the US. Nowadays, the company continues to promote 3D printing machines on the global market. 

Source: facebook.com

One distinctive feature of the CreatBot lineup is that even the most compact models inherited some of the best traits of industrial machines. For instance, CreatBot F160 PEEK is able to print with refractory filaments. Another advantage is outstanding reliability — the first batch of the printers has already been operating for more than 30 000 hours.

  

CreatBot F430

Source: creatbot.com

 

Specifications

• Operating temperature: 15-32°C
• Electrical supply: 100-240V, 50-60Hz
• Outer dimensions, mm: 660х470х580
• Weight, kg: 43
• Number of print heads: 2
• Operating systems: Windows (7,8,10), Mac OS X
• Resume/stop printing process: Automatically
• Build volume: 400х300х300 mm
• Resolution: 0.04 mm
• Max. chamber temperature: 70°C
• Bed temperature: 100°C
• Extruder temperature: 260/420°C
• Technology: FDM
• Minimum layer height: 40 µm
• Supported file formats: GCO, GCODE, STL, OBJ, AMF
• Printable materials: PLA;ABS;Carbon;Wood;Nylon;PC;PTEG;HIPS;PP;Flexible;TPU;PVA;PEEK
• Filament diameter: 1,75
• Nozzle size, mm: 0.4
• Display: 4.3" Touch Screen
• Print speed: 55 mm/s, max. 180 mm/s

    

Description

Source: creatbot.com

CreatBot F430 represents the golden mean of the company’s product line. This device is relatively compact and is able to work with high temperatures, providing a wider spectrum of functionality compared to desktop models. Nevertheless, it is much more affordable than the company’s top-end CreatBot D600. When printing, the machine maintains a horizontal resolution of 40 microns and a 20 microns layer thickness. 

Source: creatbot.com

Now, let’s proceed with CreatBot F430’s most outstanding peculiarities. First off, the increased build volume allows to manufacture products as large as 400 x 300 x 300 mm. Secondly, the printer features dual extrusion. And lastly, the extruder can be heated up to 420 °C. As a result, the device is able to print large and complex products using refractory filaments. For example, the main application of the machine is manufacturing implants using polyetheretherketone (PEEK). PEEK is a biocompatible polymer suitable for manufacturing of multi-purpose implants, including those for oral and maxillofacial surgery.

The design of CreatBot F430 is characteristic to every device from the company’s lineup. The printer features a steel body that ensures stability and prolonged usage period. In order to provide access to the chamber, three acrylic covers are located on the sides and one on the top of the printer. Under the back wall covers, two devices for the fixation of the filament spools are located. The files can be uploaded to the printer either via a USB flash drive, or directly from one’s PC using a USB cable. You can control the printing process with a 4.3" touch screen, featuring a number of shortcut keys that make the printer easy to operate.

The air filter system is yet another advantage that raises CreatBot F430 above the cheaper analoges. It helps to diminish the amount of gases discharged into premises that are generated in the chamber during the polymer melting. Another peculiarity is the build plate construction. For instance, the heating element is made of glass ceramics, which provides significantly less thermal expansion than a metal analog. Moreover, the plate is covered with a carbon fiber panel.

    

Supply Package

Inside the box, there is a fully assembled CreatBot F430 that’s ready to print. There is also a power and a USB cable, palette knife, technical documentation, USB flash drive, masking tape, and a filament spool.

    

Setting Up the Printer

CreatBot F430 features the 25 points probe automatic leveling platform. Nevertheless, the platform can still be manually levelled if the user so desires.

Source: creatbot.com 

In order for the printed model to stick to the plate, the platform needs to be processed with a hard glue or adhesive tape. Before inserting the filament, make sure to warm the extruder up. Each filament coil has to be installed into its corresponding section, and each thread’s end has to be inserted into the fluoroplastic tube. 

  

Slicing Software

CreatWare is a convenient go-to proprietary solution developed by the manufacturer. It is considered the best practice for designing and slicing 3D models while using CreatBot machines. Besides, you are free to use Simplify 3D, Cura, or Slic3r if you wish. CreatBot F430 works with .stl, .obj, and .amf file formats. 

    

Consumables

Source: intamsys.com

CreatBot F430 is an FDM 3D printer designed to print with various polymers of any brand. The extruder can be heated up to 420 °C, providing compatibility with high-performance polymers, such as PEEK, ULTEM, CF-PEEK, PA-CF, and of course, with popular polymers like PLA, ABS, and TPU.

PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) is a refractory engineering polymer with outstanding mechanical and chemical properties (e.g. extraordinary corrosion resistance). The products made with this polymer are widely used in various industries, and are of great need in different fields of surgery. Speaking of PEEK’s remarkable characteristics, it can be compared to ULTEM (PEI, Polyetherimide), which is yet another reliable and widely used filament option for 3D printing with this particular machine. 

Source: creatbot.com

CreatBot F430 is also compatible with carbon fiber reinforced polymers, like CF-PEEK (Carbon fiber reinforced PEEK) and PA-CF (Carbon fiber reinforced nylon). Such filaments consist of 30% carbon fiber, which accounts for a high degree of corrosion and deformation resistance in the corresponding products.

    

Use Case

Source: creatbot.com

3D printing with refractory polymers is a common practice in different industries. In such cases, PEEK is the material of choice because of its outstanding durability and heat resistance that allow the manufacturing of products with high degree of chemical and abrasion resistances. Products made from PEEK usually have thin, but truly durable walls, and, as a rule, are quite lighter than their metal analoges.

    

3D Printed Cranial Implant

Biocompatibility is yet another truly extraordinary quality of PEEK that is particularly important in medical field. Being biocompatible, the implants made from PEEK won’t be rejected by the patient’s body — hence the reason of such popularity with health facilities. That’s where CreatBot F430 will definitely come in handy — its large build volume allows to print cranial and rib implants, as well as implants of a number of other major bones.

    

Comparing CreatBot F430 with Intamsys FUNMAT HT Enhanced

Source: intamsys.com

Intamsys FUNMAT HT Enhanced is an industrial FDM 3D printer manufactured in Shanghai that, just like CreatBot F430, is able to print with refractory polymers. The most distinctive features of the machine are the maximum extruder temperature of 450 °С and its elegant appearance. It’s a reliable and fine printer that, depending on the usage, might just come after CreatBot F430 in terms of upside potential ratio. Compared to the latter, FUNMAT HT Enhanced is more expensive, has a smaller build volume of 260 x 260 x 260 mm and a minimum layer height of 50 µm, while featuring only a single extruder. It has its upsides too, but CreatBot F430 clearly has a distinct competitive advantage when compared in such manner.

    

Pros and Cons

The main pros and cons of CreatBot F430 are the following:

Pros:

• Ability to print with high-performance polymers;

• Automatic adjustment of print settings; 

• Compatibility with filaments of other brands;

• Affordability.

Cons:

• Somewhat conservative appearance.

    

The Bottom Line

CreatBot F430 is an industrial FDM 3D printer that paves the way for truly diversified additive manufacturing solutions. The device is compatible with all kinds of polymers: household, engineering, and composite ones. Talking about cost-efficiency matters, the machine features outstanding characteristics for its price, such as 36 000 cm³ print chamber, dual extrusion system, and the maximum nozzle temperature of 420 °С. As a result, CreatBot F430 will suit the needs of both industrial facilities and educational institutions. 

You can purchase any 3D printer offered by CreatBot at Top 3D Shop. This exceptional and high-quality device comes with the manufacturer’s warranty. In addition, our team will make sure to provide the best service possible, just like we always do.