Anker exhibited the AnkerMake M5 3D printer for the first time at the IFA 2022, which draws attention to itself with a printing speed of up to 250 millimeters per second and the topic of 3D printers with its design made of an aluminum alloy and the simple assembly also want to raise further from the hobbyist corner.
AI camera for live image and error detection
The AnkerMake M5 also relies on a smart 1080p camera with infrared night vision, which not only uses artificial intelligence to detect printing errors and problems by generating a 3D model before printing, which is compared with the model created during printing . If a problem is detected, attention is drawn to this acoustically, by a red LED strip in the left frame and by app notification.
The camera also gives the user a constant view of the printing process via an app and a time-lapse video of the printing process can be created at 30 frames per second. For this purpose, the 3D printer has a WLAN connection, with which it always remains connected to the local network. If a problem is detected and even during an unproblematic printing process, the user can pause the print at any time in order to examine the object and decide whether the print should be canceled or continued.
Print models can be imported either via a storage medium via the USB-C connection or via WLAN from the network. An application developed by Anker, which is available for Windows and macOS, is used as a slicer for creating the 3D print plan. No Cura adaptation is used. However, Cura can be used as a slicer just like Prusa or Simplify.
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AnkerMake M5: Automatically detects printing problems
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AnkerMake M5: Automatically detects printing problems
First impression at the IFA is convincing
At the IFA 2022, Anker is now showing the AnkerMake M5 in action for the first time, showing how it quickly prints a wide variety of 3D models. Because even at the trade fair, printing is done at 250 mm/s – competitors such as the Creality Ender 3 S1 Pro print at a maximum of 180 mm/s – and the results are quite impressive. The well-known stringing, in which small hairs or threads appear on the 3D model due to damp filament, an incorrect printing temperature or the filament being pulled back too short when changing position, can occur with a larger model in the infill – i.e. the support structure inside the model – recognized, but the result is convincing on the outside, and not only in relation to the printing speed.
It is at least questionable whether the settings at the fair were fully optimized, since the printing temperature is set to 200 °C, but the filament used has an optimal pressure range from 205 °C. That's why Anker doesn't shy away from printing the well-known 3DBenchy live at the stand, which in turn hardly ever shows any stringing.
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AnkerMake M5 3D Printer
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AnkerMake M5 3D Printer
AnkerMake M5: Automatically detects printing problems
AnkerMake M5 3D Printer0.1 mm accuracy, auto-leveling and touch display
The printing accuracy of the AnkerMake M5 is 0.1 mm, the diameter of the supplied printing nozzle is 0.4 mm. The print speed can be set between 50 and 250 mm/s. PLA, ABS, PETG and TPU are supported as printing material. The print bed with 7×7 auto-leveling offers an area of 235 × 235 mm and can be heated up to 100 °C to prevent warping, i.e. material distortion caused by the printed object cooling down at different speeds. Prints can be a maximum of 250mm high. The maximum extruder temperature is 260 °C. The print can be started and the remaining print time can be viewed on the 4.3-inch touch display. The IoT application processor Ingenic X2000 with two CPU cores with 1.2 GHz and one MCU core with 240 MHz is used as the CPU. The AnkerMake M5 relies on the open source firmware Marlin. It measures 502 × 438 × 470 mm without the filament holder and weighs 12.4 kg.
Delivery to Baker starting soon
These features, which many 3D printers can only be achieved through upgrades, have made the AnkerMake M5 the most successful crowdfunding campaign of any 3D printer to date on Kickstarter, with more than 11,300 backers, raising $8.8 million . Those who supported the M5 campaign via Kickstarter are expected to receive the 3D printer in November. However, it is not yet certain when general availability will be given.
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AnkerMake M5 3D Printer
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AnkerMake M5 3D printer
799 US Dollar and no German price yet
While a price of 799 US dollars has already been communicated for the USA, a recommended retail price for Germany is still pending. In view of current exchange rates and the additional taxes, however, 799 euros can be expected in any case. The 3D printer was available on Kickstarter for quick backers at the launch of the campaign for $599.