In this article I will introduce the Creality Ender 3 V3 KE with the Nebula camera. Basically, my focus is on printing mechanical components and less on creating artistic sculptures or similar objects. My main requirement for 3D printers is that they can work quickly and reliably, as I mainly need components for prototypes in a short space of time. Aesthetically perfect prints are not my priority; I want my prints to be functional and stable.
What I don’t like at all about 3D printing is the time-consuming process of setting numerous parameters. That’s why I prefer a straightforward approach: I throw a filament roll into the printer, press start and see what happens 😉
I received the Ender 3 V3 KE from Geekbuying for testing, but this collaboration has no bearing on my opinion of the printer. It’s collaborations like this that allow me to build as many 3D printed machines as I do, and for that I am very grateful. The Ender 3 V3 KE now has to compete against my main printer, the Voron 2.4 – a high-quality and expensive 3D printer. It remains to be seen how it compares and whether my Voron will end up in the bin.
If you are interested in the printer and want to support my work, you can buy the printer here at a great price:
Here is the code to get the printer for 257€ : NNNDEV3KE
You can get the Creality Nebula camera here.
Here is the code for the camera for €75: NNNDECNSK
Unboxing, contents and my impressions:
The packaging of the printer is, as usual, extremely carefully selected. The box is structured on several levels to ensure safe storage. The first level contains the extruder, the display, the filament holder, the running out sensor, various cables, assembly materials and tools. The second level contains the fully assembled portal, neatly packed. The bottom level of the box contains the printer with the electronics and the Y-axis.
Just looking at this careful arrangement increases the anticipation of the assembly and the first printing tests.
The box contains the following components:
- Direct Drive extruder with ceramic hotend
- 4.3″ color touch screen
- Side cutter for filament
- All necessary screws and tools for assembly
- A USB stick with digital instructions and a Benchy test print
- 20 meters of PLA filament
- One nozzle cleaner
- A spare nozzle
- Power plug cable
- USB stick
A USB cable is not included in the scope of delivery. This is because the printer connects to the computer via WLAN and can be conveniently controlled from there. The Nebula camera is not included and must be purchased separately. I would highly recommend the camera, as you can then start and control the printer from the comfort of your sofa.
The best features of the Ender 3 V3 KE:
500 mm/s maximum printing speed. According to the manufacturer, it should print a benchy in 15 minutes and 8 seconds.
Acceleration 5000mm/s². What does that mean? The printer should be able to go from 0mm/s to 500mm/s within 0.1s. How this acceleration affects the printed image we will see.
The printer has an automatic Z-offset correction, which is realized by measuring the entire print bed using a CR touch sensor. After measuring 25 points of the print bed, the nozzle is moved against the print bed. A strain gauge detects when the nozzle touches the print bed, making it possible to precisely determine the Z offset.
The touch display is very easy to operate. I really like the display of the 3D model that is currently being printed. You can see the remaining printing time and the progress of the print in a very appealing way.
Linear recirculating ball bearing slide on the X-axis. That’s what I’m used to from my Voron. From a technical point of view, I really like these linear guides. Normal ball bearings, which are used in most inexpensive 3D printers, are not really designed for the short and fast movements that a 3D printer makes. This can mean that the balls in the bearing are not properly lubricated as they do not make a full revolution.
It’s good to see that the printer uses the Klipper firmware, even if Creality calls it „Creality OS“ – a clever move from the marketing department ;-). My Voron has been running Klipper for several years now. Unfortunately, Klipper has not been fully enabled on the Ender-3 V3 KE. However, there is hope that it is possible to somehow „hack“ the printer to access Klipper. Personally, I really appreciate the web browser on my Voron and the ability to access the firmware code and implement my own macros. Unfortunately, the web browser of the Ender-3 V3 KE is very limited. Access to only a fraction of the Klipper functions is possible. The web browser works on the smartphone, but the user-friendliness is not optimal. A better alternative is to use Creality Print. Here you have everything at a glance, including the camera function.
I am sure that in the future more and more features of Klipper will be enabled on newer 3D printers.
Klipper’s increased computing power makes the „Input Shaping“ feature possible. Input shaping is a method of control technology that aims to minimize unwanted vibrations in mechanical systems, such as 3D printers, by precisely shaping the control signal. The main objective is not to tune the natural frequencies of the system, especially the resonant frequencies. The diagram below shows the relationship between amplitude and frequency. Each body has a typical resonance frequency at which it exhibits the greatest amplitude. This means that it resonates. The highest range in the diagram is prevented by Input Shaping.
The printer is equipped with Motion Advance. What is this? In Marlin it is called Linear Advance, while Klipper calls it Pressure Advance. So Creality has found a new name for it. Imagine you are driving a long straight line at high speed. The pressure in the nozzle is correspondingly high. Suddenly there is a sharp corner. The print head has to slow down one axis and accelerate the other. This cannot be done abruptly from 100% to 0%. At this moment, the print head must ramp down a certain speed. If the extruder were to continue feeding filament at the same rate as the braking process, there could be a blob at the corner as the pressure in the nozzle would still be very high. The Motion Advance algorithm therefore looks into the future to a certain extent and reduces the filament flow even before the print head brakes. This can go so far that the extruder even pulls back some filament before a corner. Motion Advance therefore tries to keep the pressure in the nozzle constant.
There are three ways to start a print: the old-fashioned method via a USB stick or, more efficiently, via Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi connection can be established via the Creality Print app or the Creality Cloud. A really nice feature would have been to have a fully-fledged web server running on the printer. I am used to transferring STL files directly from Superslicer to the printer from my Voron without using Creality Print. Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to successfully integrate the printer into Superslicer.
2 component fans. This is also necessary at these high printing speeds. For small parts, it can blow a lot of wind.
It processes PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU (95A) and ASA filaments. This is very nice because you can produce any mechanical components with one printer.
The X- and Y-axis can be moved extremely easily, which is an advantage for clean and fast printing.
The printer’s cable routing is extremely well thought out. The extruder is fixed very securely via a plug and a clamping piece. These cables are securely clamped in a special holder at the rear so that there are no loose cables. The Y-axis cables are arranged in such a way that there is no possibility of them becoming tangled. The Z motor and the filament runout sensor are concealed in the frame and routed through the base plate. Overall, the design and cable routing make a very appealing impression.
The Ender-3 V3 KE is equipped with a heated print bed that can reach a maximum temperature of 100°C. This is generally sufficient for any type of filament. Similar to my Voron printer, the Ender-3 also has a flexible PEI build plate, which makes it easy to remove the printed parts. Thanks to the textured surface of the build plate, the parts adhere reliably and the need for brim is rare.
A particularly positive feature is the top-mounted filament holder, which helps to ensure that the printer takes up minimal space on the workbench and is therefore extremely compact.
Another plus point is the printer’s low noise level, which in my opinion is suitable for use in the living room. This is made possible by the 32-bit motor drivers. The audible noise is essentially limited to the movements of the linear rails and the fans of the components. At around 50 dB, however, it is significantly quieter than my Voron 2.4.
The numerous functions make this printer an excellent choice for both beginners and advanced users or for those who don’t want to worry about anything else. The motto here is „just start printing“, which is exactly to my taste. The printer offers a well thought-out overall package at a price of under €300, with little to criticize. The aluminum housing in combination with high-quality plastic parts completes the positive user experience with the printer. Not only is it an excellent choice for beginners and professionals, it also impresses visually with its appealing design.
The printing speed and automatic bed leveling make it a serious competitor to my Voron 2.4. Time will tell which printer will record the most printing hours this year. Overall, I can give it a clear buy recommendation, especially if you’re looking for a plug-and-play system.
On Geekbuying the printer is available at an unbeatable price. If you buy through the link provided, you support my work and I can continue to design and build unique 3D printed machines in the future. Thank you very much!
If you are interested in the printer and want to support my work, you can buy the printer here at a great price:
Here is the code to get the printer for 257€ : NNNDEV3KE
Creality Nebula Smart Kit - A must or a nice to have?
What is the benefit of the additional expenditure for the Nebula Kit? Is it worth buying or can I safely do without it?
The Nebula camera was originally designed to upgrade older Creality Ender models with the Klipper firmware, resulting in increased print speed and other features mentioned. Although I have not been able to personally test this functionality due to the lack of an older printer, I have found it to work flawlessly with the Ender 3 V3 KE, although this is not listed in the description.
The delivery package includes a touch display (the same as the Ender 3 V3 KE), the camera itself and an acceleration sensor. Only the camera is required for the Ender 3 V3 KE, as the printer is already supplied with Klipper as standard. The display and the acceleration sensor are not required as all values are already preconfigured. The camera is simply connected via USB and works smoothly. The Creality Print software provides a high-resolution live image for optimum monitoring of the printing process. It is also possible to create time-lapse recordings, which is of particular interest to YouTube creators like me.
The camera not only enables high-resolution images and videos with 1920×1080 pixels, but also enables visibility in complete darkness thanks to infrared. Manual focusing of the camera lens makes it possible to focus on specific areas of the print. Thanks to AI functions, the camera also detects irregularities during printing and stops the printer if, for example, only spaghetti is being printed.
As I have two cameras installed in my Voron 2.4, I consider the camera to be an indispensable tool for monitoring my printers. For this reason, I recommend the camera to anyone who wants stress-free printing without constant monitoring. Personally, I wouldn’t want to do without it.
The camera is available at a very good price-performance ratio here:
You can get the Creality Nebula camera here.
Here is the code for the camera for €75: NNNDECNSK
Conclusion
After several weeks of printing, I am extremely satisfied with the Creality Ender 3 V3 KE, especially in combination with the Nebula camera. I have rarely experienced such a simple workflow with a printer. I can start the printer from the comfort of my living room in the basement without having to worry about anything. The printer’s startup algorithm is excellent, and there have never been any issues with a dirty nozzle causing problems at print startup. The bed leveling works great, and the adhesion of the first layer has always been perfect. This is exactly my idea of 3D printing. I can therefore give it a clear recommendation to buy.
I hope my review has given you a good overview of the Creality Ender 3 V3 KE. If you liked it, I look forward to receiving comments on your own experiences.
