For this ANYCUBIC MEGA X review, the age-old question arises. Does bigger mean better? With MEGA in its name, it’s expected to achieve bigger and better builds. With ANYCUBIC not being new to the 3D printing industry this model is expected to deliver on everything its name promises. In this ANYCUBIC MEGA X review, we will find out.
Let’s take a look at the tech specs:
ANYCUBIC MEGA X TECHNICAL SPECS
| Build Volume: | 300 mm x 300 mm x 305 mm |
| Build Speed: | 20 mm – 100 mm per sec (60 mm per second is recommended) |
| Build Materials: | PLA, ABS, TPU, HIPS, Wood, etc. |
| Filament Diameter: | 1.75 mm |
| Nozzle Diameter: | .40 mm |
| Extruder: | single |
| Connectivity: | SD Card, USB data cable |
| Software: | Cura |
| Print Bed: | Heated with ANYCUBIC Ultrabase |
| Leveling: | Manual |
| Display: | Color touchscreen |
| Layer Height: | .05 mm - .30 mm |
Design & Features
The most noticeable feature of the ANYCUBIC MEGA X 3D printer is its size. The sturdy, aluminum frame supports the large build area which measures an impressive 11.81 in x 11.81 in x 12 in. The height of the build area means bigger builds and an entirely new range of creative possibilities for the user to explore which places this model ahead of the average filament 3D printer.
The structure is reinforced by a Z-axis dual screw rod to maximize stability and minimize print errors. This along with the aluminum module for the Y-axis and dual lead rail design make sure the printer doesn’t move while executing larger builds. The larger the build area the more support is needed to keep the frame steady.
This ANYCUBIC model supports third-party filaments that include the standard PLA to ABS, and other exotic materials. The MEGA X uses a powerful extruder which makes it compatible with flexible filaments like TPU. It’s all powered by a Meanwell power supply for enhanced safety.
Other essential features include the resume print function that picks up from the last recorded position, even if the power is cut. The MEGA X also has a filament sensor that automatically pauses the print when the filament runs out or breaks. Filaments tend to break if they’re not stored in the required temperature-controlled environment.
The sensor and other settings can be found through the TFT touchscreen which is supposed to be as responsive as a mobile phone’s screen. Users will also have access to the assisted leveling function for the print bed. The ANYCUBIC MEGA X'S print bed is a patented head base. The Ultrabase bed surface is coated so builds can adhere to it during the print process, but once the bed cools off, the build pops off without any scraping necessary. Users should know the print bed will heat above 90°C and the nozzle reaches a maximum temperature of 250°C. The heat settings can be managed from the touchscreen as well.
Printing
Printing with the ANYCUBIC MEGA X can yield some decent results, but be sure to level the bed first. There is a large leveling knob to adjust the four corners with the assistance provided throughout the process. After the bed is leveled, adjust the temperature for the particular filament being used for the print. Even though the maximum speed moves at 100 mm per second, it’s recommended to print at 60 mm per second. When printing at the finer end of the layer resolution spectrum, it’s better to drop the speed to provide detailing without stringing and artifacts.
This MEGA X can receive files loaded from an SD card or tethered to a computer through a USB cable. The company recommends using CURA to slice files and supports STL, OBJ, DAE, and AMF file types. Print the preloaded test files or load your own to get started.
Packing & Assembly
Assembly is required! Granted, the ANYCUBIC MEGA X 3D printer arrives in the package mostly assembled, but users still have to connect the gantry to the print base. It’s packaged neatly and securely with form fitting foam inserts to reduce the possibility of damage during shipping. When building the printer, be sure to follow the instructions. Sometimes it can be helpful to look up videos of the printer being assembled prior to doing it yourself to get a better idea of better methods to use in order to lessen the time assembling this ANYCUBIC 3D printer, and shorten the time it takes to start printing.
Here’s everything included in the box:
- 1 x ANYCUBIC MEGA X 3D printer base with Ultrabase bed
- 1 x Aluminum extruded gantry assembly
- 1 x Pair of Pliers
- 8 x M5 screws
- 5 x M3 screws
- 1 x Scraper
- 1 x Toolset that includes several Allen wrenches
- 1 x USB drive
- 1 x Spool holder
- 1 x SD card
- 1 x User manual
- 1 x Pair of tweezers
- 1 x Power cord
- 1 x USB cable
- 1 x Backup hot-end set
- 1 x Service card
- 1 x Sample 1 kg roll of PLA filament
Customer Support
ANYCUBIC provides an abundance of support for its 3D printers. For the MEGA X specifically, the manufacturer’s warranty covers the printer for 12 months. The coverage for specific parts like the patented print bed isn’t as lengthy, but the company offers a lifetime of technical support.
For the MEGA X, ANYCUBIC offers downloads for the operation manual and the Cura slicer software for both Windows and MAC operating systems. Users can also find useful videos to show them how to level the print bed and how to assemble the printer after unboxing it. ANYCUBIC encourages users to contact them for any other issues with the printer. There is also a healthy online community of MEGA series users who can help troubleshoot any issues that arise.
Printing isn’t the quietest due to the cooling parts fan and the constant shifting of parts during a build. It’s better suited for labs and studios that don’t mind the noise.
MEGA X Pros & Cons
Pros
- The build area allows for multiple files to be sliced simultaneously
- The powerful extruder supports flexible exotic filaments
- The TFT touchscreen is intuitive and as responsive as a mobile device
- The filament runout sensor pauses builds when the filament breaks or needs to be changed
- The MEGA X is easy to use and assembles quickly with the instructions and there is a video provided by ANYCUBIC on the company’s website to help new users
- The patented Ultrabase print bed is great for adhesion during the build and for letting the build pop off of the plate after it cools to room temperature
Cons
- The nozzle and print bed take an extremely long time to heat up, longer than 30 minutes
- Printing with environment-sensitive filaments like ABS is sketchy since the build area isn’t enclosed and can’t maintain a consistent heat as the build progresses
- If the bed isn’t leveled properly, or if the printer isn’t assembled correctly, the nozzle can grind into the print bed and ruin both for future use. One subtle misalignment can turn this printer into an expensive project to fix, or a really expensive paperweight
- The bed temperature will not rise above 90°C despite what is being advertised, and it can rock since it’s on a belt-like cable system which negates the stability provided by the dual rail design
Verdict
This ANYCUBIC MEGA X review finds that bigger is better, this particular model may be worth a try. However, it’s on the expensive side for a printer that needs assembling out of the box. If assembly is required, the print bed should come with automatic leveling. The Ultrabase is great for adhesion and allows for prints to be removed easily once it cools, but it also takes an obscenely long time to heat up. Being able to extrude filaments like ABS doesn’t mean the printer can sustain a successful build with the temperamental filament, especially since the heat settings don’t reach the required centigrade necessary to complete ABS builds.
The bonus is that third party filaments are supported by the printer and the powerful extruder is great for flexible build materials, but again, the heat of the bed can present some issues. As it stands, PLA is the prevailing filament to use with the MEGA X 3D printer. Be sure to put the spool holder in a position that allows the filament to feed directly into the extruder to prevent tangling and clogging of the nozzle.
If budget is a factor, you can find comparable printers for a lower price with a huge build area that has some assembly required. However, the ANYCUBIC technical support team and online community of users make it easy to learn. The company has provided a sturdy machine that supports the large build area and allows users the creative freedom to bring projects to life they can’t achieve with competitive models. So when it comes back to the question, is bigger really better? The ANYCUBIC MEGA X 3D printer lives up to its name.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
