This time we take an in-depth look at the interesting CreatBot F430 desktop 3D printer (https://top3dshop.com/product/creatbot-f430-3d-printer), which has all the hallmarks of an industrial device, but fits on a not-so-large table.
As soon as industrial patents on all sorts of technologies run out, many companies cling to this opportunity and market desktop devices with distinct features of industrial machines. The CreatBot F430 is just such a desktop 3D printer. In this article we are going to find out how much of an industrial printer it is, how much of a desktop printer it is and what kind of a desktop printer it is. This is LIDER 3D with you and this is a review of the CreatBot F430 3D printer.
About Company
Henan Suwei Electronic Technology Co., LTD is a Chinese manufacturer that supplies 3D printing equipment under its own brand CreatBot and also provides contract manufacturing services. The company was founded in 2011 and at that time mainly worked with corporate clients, focusing on large-scale projects. At the time, the company specialized in manufacturing industrial printers such as the CreatBot D600.
Scaling up the technology used was a wise choice, and the company soon began offering compact desktop 3D printers that were in high demand by private customers, educational institutions and small factories. In November 2013, CreatBot 3D printers were officially certified in the EU and then in the US. Currently, the company continues to promote 3D printers on the global market.
A distinctive feature of the CreatBot line is that even the most compact models have inherited some of the best features of industrial machines. For example, CreatBot F160 PEEK is capable of printing with refractory filaments. Another advantage is exceptional reliability – the first batch of printers has already lasted more than 30,000 hours.
CreatBot F430 Specifications
Operating temperature: 15-32°C
Power supply: 100-240V, 50-60Hz
Number of print heads: 2
Operating systems: Windows (7, 8, 10), Mac OS X
Maximum print area: 400х300х300 mm
Resolution: 0.04mm
Max. chamber temperature: 70°C
Work platform temperature: 100°C
Extruder temperature: 260/420°C
Technology: FDM
Minimum layer height: 40 μm
Supported file formats: GCO, GCODE, STL, OBJ, AMF
Printing Materials: PLA;ABS;Carbon;Wood;Nylon;PC;PTEG;HIPS;PP;Flexible;TPU;PVA;PEEK
Filament Diameter: 1.75
Nozzle size, mm: 0,4
Display: 4.3″ touch screen
Printing speed: 55mm/sec, max. 180 mm/sec
The Golden Mean
The CreatBot F430 is the golden mean of the company’s product line. This device is relatively compact and capable of working at high temperatures, providing a wider range of functionality compared to desktop models. Nevertheless, it is much more affordable than the top-of-the-line and you could say maximum industrial CreatBot D600. When printing, the machine supports a horizontal resolution of 40 microns and a layer thickness of 20 microns.
Now let’s move on to the most prominent features of the CreatBot F430. Firstly, the increased build volume allows you to make products with dimensions of 400x300x300mm. Second, the printer is equipped with a dual extruder. The extruder can be heated up to 420°C. As a result, the device is able to print large and complex products using refractory filaments. For example, the device’s main application is the production of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) implants. PEEK is a biocompatible polymer suitable for multi-purpose implants, including those for maxillofacial surgery.
Appearance
The design of the CreatBot F430 is fairly typical of most devices in the company’s lineup. The printer has a sturdy steel housing, which provides stability in operation, reliability and durability of the device.
There are three acrylic covers on the sides and top of the printer and they provide access to the print chamber. Under the covers on the back wall are two devices for fixing the filament spools. This arrangement perfectly protects the plastic from dirt and dust, and the coils do not stick out of the printer, and do not take up unnecessary space.
Print Management
Files can be loaded into the printer either via USB storage or directly from a computer using a USB cable. You can control the printing process using the 4.3-inch touch screen. The screen is bright and the control interface is intuitive.
Features
The CreatBot F430 features an air filtration system, a weighty detail that sets the CreatBot apart from cheaper counterparts. The filtration system prevents excessive emissions of gases that form in the chamber during printing, significantly increasing the comfort and safety of working with the device.
Another feature is the design of the printing platform. The heating element is made of glass ceramic, which provides significantly less thermal expansion than metal counterparts. In addition, the platform is covered with a panel of carbon fiber.
The print chamber is also heated to 70°C and because it is completely enclosed, firstly, the enclosed print chamber reduces noise and protects the model from external influences, and secondly, it provides a uniform, constant temperature, preventing deformation of the prints.
The CreatBot F430 is equipped with two extruders, the left hand host, which can heat up to 260°C, can print materials such as PLA, ABS, PC, nylon, carbon fiber, etc. The right hot pad, which can be heated up to 420°C, is made of martensitic steel and can print with engineering materials such as PEEK, ULTEM, etc.
The dual extruder is interchangeable, which greatly expands the field of possibilities.
The CreatBot F430 has an auto leveling platform with a 25-point “BLtuch” sensor. However, it is still possible to align the platform manually.
This design increases the accuracy of printing, as well as compensates for possible problems due to the high printing speed, and in general prevents the deformation of the model when moving the printing platform. The motor on the Z-axis is equipped with high-performance and quiet TMC2209 drivers.
Software
CreatWare Slicer is a user-friendly software developed by the manufacturer. It is considered the best solution for designing and slicing 3D models when using CreatBot devices. In addition, you are free to choose another third-party slicer, namely Simplify 3D, Cura or Slic3r. The CreatBot F430 works with .stl, .obj and .amf file formats.
Accessed at
The CreatBot F430 is an FDM 3D printer designed to print with a variety of polymers of any brand. The extruder can be heated up to 420°C, providing compatibility with engineering polymers such as PEEK, ULTEM, CF-PEEK, PA-CF, and of course popular polymers such as PLA, ABS and TPU.
PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) is a refractory engineering polymer with outstanding mechanical and chemical properties (e.g. exceptional corrosion resistance). Products made of this polymer are widely used in various industries and are in great demand in various fields of surgery. Speaking of the remarkable characteristics of PEEK, it can be compared to ULTEM (PEI, polyetherimide), which is another reliable and widely used filament option for 3D printing on this equipment.
The CreatBot F430 is also compatible with carbon fiber reinforced polymers such as CF-PEEK (carbon fiber reinforced PEEK) and PA-CF (carbon fiber reinforced nylon). Such filaments are 30% carbon fiber, which provides a high degree of resistance to corrosion and deformation of the respective products.
Biocompatibility is another truly outstanding quality of PEEK that is particularly important in the medical field. Being biocompatible, implants made from PEEK will not be rejected by the patient’s body – hence its popularity among medical facilities. This is where the CreatBot F430 comes in handy – its large assembly volume allows you to print skull and rib implants, as well as implants of a number of other large bones.
Printing examples
PLA Plastic, layer height 0.2, fill 10, nozzle temperature 200, table temperature 60, 3D printer CreatBot F430
