In-depth review of CubePro Duo 3D Printer

Today, the market is full of options as the competition in the 3D printer industry has increased a lot. However, when it comes to printers that not only look good but back that lookup with excellent performance, there are not many options left. To solve this particular issue comes the CubePro Duo 3D printer, a boxy semi-professional FDM 3D printer.

3D System is the manufacturer of popular 3D printers like the CubePro series. The CubePro Duo I will review today is the second release of the series that comes with several distinct features and excellent printing performance.

The main target of the CubePro 3D printer was to provide the utmost user convenience with uncompromised quality. So, does the printer fulfill that target? Let’s find out in the CubePro 3D Duo printer review.

So, first, I have rated the CubePro Duo 3D printer from different aspects, like performance, build quality, assembly, features, etc. If you are in a hurry, you can have a quick look at this and gather some primary ideas about the printer.

CubePro Duo 3D Printer Specifications

Here I have compiled the key technical specifications of the CubePro Duo 3D printer. These specifications will be a great help to understand the printer and the review going forward entirely.

• Dimension: 22.75 x 22.75 x 23.25 inches
• Printing Area: 285mm x 270mm x 230mm
• Print Resolution: 70, 200, 300 microns
• Supported Filament: PLA, ABS, and Nylon
• Filament Diameter: 1.75mm
• Extruders: 2
• Extruders nozzle diameter: 0.4 mm
• Weight: 108 lbs.
• X, Y Accuracy: .2 mm
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi and USB

CubePro Duo 3D Printer Pros and Cons

CubePro Duo 3D is generally an excellent printer with lots of great options; there are some minor inconveniences. Though these flaws might not be a deal-breaker for everyone, you should know about them before purchasing.

Pros

• The large platform is the biggest advantage of CubePro Duo 3D. Due to the large platform, you can build anything out of your imagination. Moreover, it saves time and cost too compared to the regular process.
• Dual extrusion is the main characteristic of this printer, hence the name CubePro Duo. A dual extruder setup allows you to use multiple filaments simultaneously to make your print more durable.
• CubePro Duo 3D is compatible with various materials like PLA, ABS, and Nylon. This multi-material support allows the printer to produce the perfect design.
• Controlling the CubeProDuo 3D is pretty easy. It offers both wireless and USB connectivity to make the user experience more convenient.
• High printing speed is the key to an effortless printing experience. CubePro Duo 3D can print at 15mm/s, which is pretty high for the resolution.

Cons

• Setting the CubePro Duo 3D might prove to be difficult for some users. Without properly calibrating the printer, getting optimal results can be an issue for some.
• Compared to its competitors, CubePro Duo 3D costs more. The price won’t be a deal-breaker for many. But for some, the affordability will be a concern.
• Compatibility with various materials is an exemplary aspect of the CubePro Duo 3D printer. However, all these materials are preparatory. This could prove to be a drawback for some projects.

Related: Top-rated printers for flexible filament

CubePro Duo 3D Printer Overview

The 3D system entered the 3D printing industry all the way back in 1986. Since then, it has been manufacturing some high-quality printers both for professionals and amateurs. All these years of experience are reflected in their products.

In continuation of that, the 3D system released its CubePro series. There were three variants of CubePro released back in 2014. The regular, Duo, and Trio variants have one, two, and three extruders, respectively. Upon the release, these models become an instant hit. Thanks to the multi extrusion and compatibility with different materials, prototyping any model will feel like a breeze with CubePro Duo 3D.

Set out and describe key features

I have talked about different aspects of the CubePro Duo 3D printer in this segment. Every customer has other priorities, and after this segment, you’ll be able to decide according to your priority. So, let’s see how the printer performs in different segments without further ado.

Performance

Performance is the main concern for any product, and CubePro has proved itself a solid choice. Throughout my testing, I was impressed by the quality of the printing. Multi extrusion 3D printers often lose attention to detail, but to my surprise, CubePro Duo 3D put up a fantastic display of detailed prototyping.

The printer can print at three different resolutions, and the lower the resolution, the slower the printing speed gets. However, considering the level of details, I decided to give it a pass.

However, I want to add here that CubePro Duo 3D needs to fine-tune the setting to get the desired printing performance. If you are not familiar enough with the setting, the result might not be satisfactory. Otherwise, I didn’t face any major issues with any sort of complex printing pieces.

Build quality and look

The name CubeProis derived from its previous variant, the Cube. But unlike the Cube variant, the Pro variant is much bigger in size. If you have prior experience with the cube, you’ll find a lot of similarities. The boxy design of this 3D printer is one of the finest I have seen in the industry.

The printer is massive, with a weight of around 108 lbs. The massive frame of the printer is made of a metal frame with a glass panel as the front enclosure. Overall, the CubePro Duo 3D printer gives you a pretty elegant vibe. If you are not a big fan of barebones kits, you should check out CubePro.

Features

CubePro Duo 3D already does a great job in different aspects. However, some extra features give the printer an extra edge over its competitors. The first feature I would like to address is the multi-material support of this printer with multi extrusion. No matter how delicate your project is, you can print that effortlessly and quickly. 

Then comes the easy cartridge reload with smart cartridge technology. With its help, cartridges reload more efficiently than ever. Moreover, the smart cartridges technology safely stores the cartridge for 12 months without compromising the technology.

Lastly, there is the heated printing chamber. This heat prevents any type of curling and wrapping while printing.

Assembly

Not all of us have prior experience in 3D printing or dealing with 3D printers. For these people, assembling a barebones kit can be an absolute nightmare. But the good news is that the CubePro Duo 3D doesn’t require much of an assembly at all.

The whole printer ships preassembled, saving you the time and frustration of assembling a barebones kit. Every necessary accessory for installation and powering up the printer comes in the package. After unpacking, all you have to do is n turn on the printer power. The control screen will get you through the rest of the setup with instructions.

Related: The dual extruder 3d printers

Control and software

The control system on the CubePro 3D printer is somewhat basic, which is a good thing about the printer. However, this control might seem too basic for advanced users and lacks advanced features. The whole machine is controlled by a small touch screen display located at the upper front of the 3D printer. Filament loading, cartridge status, or firmware update, you can control everything from this touch screen display.

Instead of relying on third-party software like other brands, the 3D system decided to take the software matter into its hand. 3D system has built an exclusive software, “Cube,” for the CubePro lineup. Everything from creating high-end designs to editing and optimizing the designs is possible with Cube in a jiffy.

Value for money

The value aspect can be the biggest drawback of all for many. CubePro 3D is way ahead of its competitors with similar print qualities with a price tag like this. Though the extra features try to make up for the price, that isn’t a strong argument regarding value for money. CubePro Duo sits in the middle of the price spectrum, while the base version is the cheapest, and the Trio is the most expensive lineup model.

Final Verdict

Overall, there is no doubt that CubePro Duo 3D is one of the finest creations by a 3D system. However, I find it a little difficult to recommend a consumer class for whom this will be a suitable choice. Though the main target is semiprofessionals and 3D printers at home, the price and the size tend to suggest otherwise.

As far as the other aspects go, CubePro Duo 3D is a killer combination of performance and convenience. If you can look past the difficult calibration and proprietary filaments, you’ll love what the CubePro Duo 3D printer offers.