Best 3d Printer review : UP Plus 2 Review

This TierTime UP Plus 2 review is one of a series on the Best 3d printer site. This printer, as of Nov 2016, fits into the $500 -$1k price range.

The Tiertime UP Plus 2 printer is a 3d printer operating on the FFF ( fused filament fabrication ) method or MEM (melted extrusion manufacturing) as TierTime like to quote. This means that it is an additive printer and the model is printed in layers from a melted filament.

The build volume is 140mmx140mmx135mm (5.5inx5.5inx5.3in) ( if you fold an A4 sheet in half it is about that size) so it is a reasonable size, a little small with the current generation of 3d printers but still very usable.

The print resolution – or layer thickness is adjustable between 0.15mm and 0.4mm, dependent on the speed and type of print you are looking for.

Using the 0.15mm layer will significantly increase the time to print, so this is used for prints when you know that it is a finished model. For rapid prototypes using the 0.4mm will give the stepped finish but a lot faster prints.

The UP Plus 2 is a single head printer, if you want more than one colour you will need to change the filament. The print head itself is a module able to be replaced if it fails. Replacements are available online.

A nozzle wrench is supplied for the times when the print nozzle becomes obstructed or blocked. Follow the manual to clean or remove the blockage from the nozzle or read my nozzle cleaning post.

The build platform is automatically levelled, with the aid of a plugin unit. Nine calibration points are checked to ensure that if the platform is not level the software can take out the variation, giving you the best printing adhesion.

There are manual adjusters underneath the bed if the automatic calibration fails.

The print bed is heated allowing a variety of different materials to be used. The materials are not manufacture specific allowing you to choose what you want, not being constrained by a cartridge system. The down side of this is that you will have to gauge how much material is left for printing.

The all metal chassis is strong enough to prevent any distortion as the platform moves away from the print head.

The printer is supplied with an external power supply to keep the size of the unit down.

On arrival assembly is simple. Clipping on the spool holder, screwing on the print head and the build platform. Feeding the filament through the guide tube and into the extruder. After the printer is switched on it can start heating up by either operation from the computer, with the supplied software, or from the switch on the front of the printer.

Then over to the software to check that nothing has moved in transit. Attach the auto levelling module to the print head, held in place with a magnet, ensure that it is fitted into the groove, plug it in and hit auto level. Once it has gone through its routine, remove the auto level module and click nozzle height detect. Once this value has been stored into the printer you are all ready to start printing.

To print the models you simply open the object, place it where you want it on the build platform, scale it if necessary, setup the preferences and click print.

Once the model has been transferred to the printer the computer can be disconnected.

Then you watch the magic which is 3d printing as your object appears, made out of thin extruded plastic formed into shapes which some machines would struggle to process.

Watch someone else’s UP Plus 2 review.

There is an active forum to allow users to share information about their machines.

There is a cpu upgrade for the UP Plus 2 if you don’t have WIFI installed. It is an easy installation, but if you don’t feel up to the modification – you can contact them about it.

So what do I think of this machine?

It appears to be a capable machine, easy to use and setup.

The build size is a little small compared to a lot of printers, but if you are tight for space then this machine is of a nice size. With the 0.15mm layer resolution there will be a little cleanup, but times of print will be extended.

It maybe a little expensive for the volume of build now but it appears to be reliable and able to produce clean prints time after time.

Thanks for reading this UP Plus 2 review, if you have one of these printer, please leave a few comments on what you think of it.

Phil

Phil