UP mini 2: a printer for beginners

UP mini 2 is, let’s not hesitate to use the word, a printer for beginning ‘printers’. Nevertheless it’s an equipment that, for this class of devices, works out perfectly well at printing less and more advances models.

Chinese pedigree? No problem…

Enthusiasts interested in buying printing equipment has got used to the fact that best 3D printers are extensive equipment with complex functionalities. It’s different in the case of UP mini 2. This device’s advantage is simplicity that can be visible especially in the head’s built. Simplified construction of a device considerably speeds up possible repair, which obviously isn’t recommended with new printers that are still on the guarantee. UP mini 2 is simply a device coming from China, and a good one nonetheless.

Software

A strong point of the printer is its… software. It can be downloaded straight from the manufacturer’s site. The software’s installation is also quick and easy. Unfortunately, its version for MAC computers is quite pruned and often generates errors. So if we want to buy UP mini 2, it’s worth to get a computer with Win (even an old one, because the software doesn’t use up much computing power).

Beginning of work

Before the start of work, it’s necessary to install filament in the extruder. It isn’t a hard task (suitably for a simple machine). Nonetheless it’s essential to define in the device’s menu what material it will be dealing with. If it’s classic ABS, the head’s temperature will go up to 260 degrees, and if it’s ordinary PLA: up to 220 centigrade. UP mini 2 also has an interesting mechanism counting the still available amount of filament. The material used up for particular items is weighed separately, and then it’s summed up. By comparing the mass of filament and the particular parts, the device determines how many more we can still make.

Manner of work: an advantage and disadvantage

UP mini 2 works automatically and in a closed-out way, therefore everyone that likes to watch the printed detail, refining it at the same time by changes in the particular working parameters, will be dissatisfied. On the other side, a device built in such a way is ideal for beginners who adjust everything as it should be and wait for the ready print.

Automatization of the working mode is an advantage, but also a disadvantage. It’s easy to ‘kill the head’ in this way. Because UP mini 2 has a considerable problem with ABS contractility, elements made in this way can pretty easily tear off the table and stick to the head. Thereby it’s easy to change it into a plastic ball, and destroy in consequence.

Height of the layer for correction

UP mini 2 has another substantial shortcoming. It’s the poor precision that translated on a relatively high minimum layer attaining 200 microns. It’s a lot if we take into consideration that most printers offer at most 100 microns.

Summary

UP mini 2 is a printer for beginners who don’t want to interfere too much in the machine’s work. ‘Cutting’ the printed detail from the surrounding is on the one hand a plus (children’s access), and on the other hand a minus. Another problem is the contractibility of ABS, which occurs especially with closed figures (circles, for instance). Nonetheless, the overall evaluation of the device is good; it’s largely due to the software, and the low price.