Elegoo Neptune 4 Max review
The Elegoo Neptune X4 Max is the largest in the Neptune 4 range, and as the machine is assembled, the full scale of the 3D printer becomes apparent. While the machine itself is large, with most of its size allocated to vertical space, the footprint is no larger than a standard-sized printer.
We've tested several of the best 3D printers, and as is common with these large-format models, two struts help handle the vertical and contribute to a rigid structure. As we've seen with previous Elegu machines, once built, the build is solid and sturdy. It still follows the tried-and-tested bed-slinger design. Although the design has been updated with Clipper firmware that increases print speeds to a maximum of 500 mm/s, with all the trimmings that come with it, the design feels a little dated.
However, on the other hand, this does mean that you get a very large and reliable printer with some features for little money.
Elegoo Neptune 4 Max: Design
Like other Neptune printers, Elegu has opted for the standard bed-slinger Cartesian design, which essentially means this printer is just like other Neptune printers but on a larger scale. Like the superb Neptune 4 and Pro, the head, interface and design are largely the same, with the Max being a mix of standard and Pro design. So, no segmented heat bed, but the rest of the upgrades appear to have been included.
Apart from the scale, the biggest difference in the design is the supporting braces on either side. These braces help with the rigidity of the 3D printer and support the movement of the machine with the Clipper software.
Otherwise, as you look at the machine, everything else is pretty much what you'd expect from this style of printer. The design and features have become organized enough for the quality of the machines to be fairly consistent in this design.
However, there is one big difference that you won't see on any other FFF printer of this type, and that is the huge row of fans that sit behind the print head and help cool the filament. When the machine is running, you have the option to turn these on or off via a small switch, and then they are controlled by the machine as to when they are and are not needed. This is a design feature that stands out as it is very different from the normal cooling systems we see on print heads and should ensure that the filament cools down on the platform even as the print head moves away from the filament just laid down . It's a great idea that has worked well on smaller machines and has been expanded upon here.
Elegoo Neptune 4 Max: Features
The Elegoo Neptune 4 Max, like the rest of the Neptune 4 range, is a feature-rich 3D printer that follows the traditional bed-slinger design. However, there is a significant difference between the machines we saw a year ago, particularly in the firmware that now powers these machines.
Powerful Clipper firmware is at the core of the Elegue Neptune 4 Max, enabling the machine to achieve impressive printing speeds of up to 500 mm/s and cutting speeds of 12000 mm/s. This performance is supported by a high-speed motherboard powered by an ARM 64-bit 1.5G quad-core processor coupled with 8G RAM to handle complex print files.
The printer offers an ample build volume of 420 x 420 x 480 mm, allowing for large-scale projects or multiple prints simultaneously. The tool head has a high-temperature nozzle that reaches 300°C, powered by a 60W ceramic heating element and brass heating block. This makes it compatible with a wide range of filaments, including high-temperature materials like nylon. However, since this is an open-design printer, some kind of enclosure for these more advanced materials would be beneficial.
A key feature of the Neptune 4 Max is its dual-gear direct extruder, which has a 5.2:1 reduction ratio for smooth filament extrusion, an all-titanium alloy throat pipe to reduce blockage and ensure fast heat dissipation is complemented by.
Glasses
Printing Technology: FDM
construction area: 420 x 420 x 480 mm
Minimum layer resolution: 100 micron
Maximum layer resolution: 400 micron
Dimensions: 658 x 632 x 740 mm
weight: 26.35 kg
Bed: hot
impression Surface: PEI Magnetic Platform
software: Compatible with Cura, Simplify3D
Material: PLA/TPU/PETG/ABS/ASA/Nylon
Printing Speed: up to 500 mm/s
For connectivity, the printer also offers options like Wi-Fi, LAN, and USB disk, as well as online remote control printing and multi-machine network printing control. This means that if you have a Neptune 4 Pro, you can monitor two or possibly more machines from a single location. The printer is designed for ease of use and maintenance and has a PEI magnetic platform, so it is easy to remove the model once completed.
Cooling is managed by a combination of a 4015 thick two-way cooling fan and a 3010 ball-bearing blower fan, ensuring omnidirectional heat dissipation. Additional 6025 ball-bearing blower fans enhance cooling for newly deposited layers, minimizing distortion or warping. While fans and cooling are not typically prominent features on this machine, their location and size make them an important part of the printing process and design.
The structural stability of the Neptune 4 Max is ensured by a robust Z-axis configuration with dual lead screws, motor and tie rods, as well as a Y-axis design featuring two rows of 3+3V wheels for smooth operation. with. The silent drive and POM V-guide wheels contribute to quiet printing and what appears to be a very efficient large scale printer.
Allegory Neptune 4 Max: Performance
Building the initial machine is straightforward, normally requiring a minimal amount of assembly before you have a working machine in front of you. However, one thing is that even if you have built countless machines in the past, its size makes it extremely difficult for you to balance and assemble it. While determination will enable you to go through this process, a helping hand for about a minute will make the entire process infinitely easier.
Once construction is complete, the machine can be plugged in and turned on. The boot sequence is quite long, about a minute, and then you have the calibration process to run. The interface of the machine is good, even if not the most user-friendly initially, with the UI looking a bit dated. However, when it comes to pure functionality, it hits the spot and enables you to select the calibration options you want before starting your first print. That calibration process takes 15 minutes to complete.
From experience with new machines, I always did a first-level check, and it quickly became clear that some fine-tuning would be needed. A little adjustment, then a little more, then quite a bit more, 0.47, and the nozzle was finally meeting the platform the way it should, and that first layer print was looking good. Then I turned off the machine, sorted out the test prints, returned to the Neptune 4 Max, turned it back on, loaded a print, and left it to do its thing. Coming back 20 minutes later, the print was welded onto the print head.
A week later, the process continued, with a new head installed. The same thing happened again, although this time he was caught. It was clear that the Neptune 4 Max had very little memory. Sometimes, it will remember your adjustments, and sometimes, it won't, so as part of the print process, the Z-axis adjustment was checked every time, even when the interface said that the setting should be saved. Was staying.
After initial issues, prints began to exit the platform, and for a machine of its size, print quality was excellent. There's a lot of detail, and even though the layer height isn't the lowest, the quality of the finish is good.
After several weeks of printing, the machine gradually began to prove itself. Except for a few occasions when I forgot to tune in the adjustments, all prints completed successfully.
Elegoo Neptune 4 Max: Print quality
dimensional accuracy – score of 5
target 25 = x: 24.97 mm / 0.03 mm error | Y: 24.95mm/0.05mm error
target 20 = x: 19.92 mm / 0.08 mm error | Y: 19.92mm / 0.08mm error
target 15 = x: 14.91 mm / 0.09 mm error | Y: 14.98mm/0.02mm error
target 10 = x: 9.88 mm / 0.12 mm error | Y:9.98mm/0.02mm error
Goal 5=X: 4.94 mm / 0.06 mm error | Y: 4.94mm/0.06mm error
x error average = 0.076
Y error average = 0.046
X&Y error average = 0.061
micro flow control – score of 2.5
great negative features – score of 4
overhang – score of 3
bridging – score of 4
XY resonance – score of 2.5
Z-axis alignment – score of 2.5
Adding the totals gives the final score of 23.5 out of 30.
Allegory Neptune 4 Max: Final Verdict
The Elegoo Neptune 4 Max is a great machine and is disappointing. When it comes to sophisticated design, it succeeds in ticking the boxes; The Bed-Slinger is easy to work with with an open frame design. The updated Clipper firmware has given this style of machine a new life that anyone looking for a reliable and affordable 3D printer with a number of advanced features will love.
However, these machines cannot match the quality and reliability of the next generation. When you can get one of the newer machines for about the same price, it's hard to justify the older design, especially when there are some quirks. The overall design is solid, and the build quality is good, but the touchscreen interface feels dated, and then there's the problem with the constant need to set the Z-axis.
What you get with the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max is a solid machine with no quirks. Once that first layer is down and secure, you know you're going to get a great print of good quality. So, if you're on a tight budget and you're super meticulous about your print process, this is a very cost-effective way to get great prints on a large scale. If you want a large-scale printer without the hassle, this may not be for you.
Should you buy the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max?
we tested it Best 3D Modeling Software -And these are our favorite tools
