Creality K1 3D printer test

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The Creality K1 is a 3D printer that promises to push the capabilities of this technology even further. Designed to offer high performance and reliability, this printer is aimed at hobbyists and professionals alike. Having had the opportunity to test it in depth, here’s my review.

Unpacking and assembly

The user experience begins as soon as you unpack. The Creality K1 arrives well-packaged, with every component carefully protected to prevent damage in transit. It’s a fully pre-assembled boxed machine, ready to print within 5 minutes of unpacking. The metal frame and the quality of the components are immediately perceptible, giving an impression of robustness and reliability.

Technical specifications

The Creality K1 stands out for its interesting technical specifications:

• Print volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
• Print speed: up to 600 mm/s
• Acceleration: 20,000 mm/s²
• Extruder: Dual-gear direct drive
• Hotend: Titanium alloy, up to 300°C
• Heating platen: Heats to 60°C in 180 seconds
• Ventilation systems: Coating cooling on both sides
• Leveling: Automatic
• Interfaces: Wi-Fi, USB
• Supportedformats: STL, OBJ, AMF
• Display: 4.3″ touchscreen
• OS compatibility: Windows 7+, Mac OS X 10.7+

Calibrating the Creality K1

Before starting up the printer, be sure to remove the safety screws from the platen, so that it cannot move during transport. Many languages are available, including French, and on start-up the printer will run a series of “self-check” tests and automatic platen calibration.

First impressions with the Creality K1

It’s always a good idea to print out the demonstration models supplied with the printer to make sure it’s working properly.

So I printed out these 3 test models with very satisfactory results: the benchy was printed in less than 17min, with perfect quality! A very good grip on the plate.

Printing with Creality Print

I usually use Prusa Slicer for my tests, but this time I’m going to use Creality Print, the slicer developed by Creality, using the default profiles.
The major advantage will be to be able to exploit the Wi-Fi functionality and print remotely without using the USB key.

Creality Print’s interface is fairly intuitive, so it’s easy to find your way around.

The result of this first print via Creality Print is really satisfying, with no print defects and always a very good grip on the tray. The flexible platen also makes it easy to peel off the part, with no visible marks.

Other Creality K1 prints

I’ve done a lot of printing with this Creality K1, mainly in PLA, and all these models printed very easily and above all very quickly, without any problems. I didn’t have any problems with the tray sticking, and I didn’t even need to apply glue or clean it between prints.

For all these prints, I used Creality Print, transmitting via Wi-Fi, and each template remains in the printer’s local memory for later reprinting.

And to finish this test, I printed this model in very large size, about 15h of PLA printing, the result is perfect! This Creality K1 is a real pleasure to use.

Maintenance and reliability

Maintenance of the Creality K1 is simplified by its modular design. Components are easily accessible, facilitating cleaning and maintenance. After several weeks of intensive use, the printer is still running smoothly, a testament to its robustness and reliability. The powerful fans and heated platen also help to maintain constant performance.

I only had to clean the platen once, simply with water, and I didn’t experience any problems with snagging after cleaning. Filament replacement is also very simple via the screen interface.

Software and Connectivity

The Creality K1 is compatible with several popular slicers, including Creality Print, Cura and Simplify3D. Wi-Fi connectivity lets you start printing remotely, adding significant convenience. The touchscreen interface is intuitive, making printer settings and control very easy.

Evolution of the Creality printer range

With this Creality K1, we’re a long way from the Ender 3 range. Pre-assembled 3D printers are becoming increasingly popular, and Creality seems intent on meeting this demand. A new Creality K1C model has already been announced, and a Creality K1 Max version is also available for those looking for greater print volume.

Feedback and user opinions

After several weeks in use, the Creality K1 continues to impress me with its performance and reliability. Prints are consistent in quality, and the machine adapts well to a variety of materials. The user interface is easy to navigate, and settings are easily adjusted via the touch screen

The Creality K1 stands out for its versatility, speed and print quality. Whether you’re a hobbyist looking to explore 3D printing or a professional in need of a reliable machine, the Creality K1 is a solid option. Its easy assembly, advanced features and ease of use make it a 3D printer of choice. Technical improvements, including print speed and material quality, place it among the best in its class.