In the event you hang around with 3D printing fanatics for any size of time, you’ll hear the phrase “clone” bandied about. We use it in reference to any 3D printer that’s not distinctive, which truthfully, is numerous machines available on the market at the moment. The Monoprice Joule takes cloning one step additional – it’s truly a rebadge of the Voxelab Aquila X2, which we reviewed in 2021. A “rebadge” is when an organization resells an present product manufactured by one other firm with their very own labeling. Costco is filled with rebadged merchandise – every part bearing the Kirkland label was made by another person and bought as Costco’s home model.
Retailing at $199.99, the Monoprice Joule has options just like the 2020 Creality Ender 3 v2 (opens in new tab) for about $79 cheaper. Each machines have glass beds, handbook leveling, Bowden extruders and a colour LED interface with a knob.
I discovered a couple of disappointing high quality points whereas testing the Joule – I used to be minimize on a protruding screw, the management knob was so jittery I needed to take it aside and clear it, and the cooling fan began to whine intermittently in direction of the tip of the evaluate interval. These flaws imply that the Joule doesn’t stack up effectively towards different low-cost printers and is a really far cry for competing with the greatest 3D printers in its worth vary.
You is likely to be questioning why we’re reviewing a rebranded machine, and the reply is easy. The typical purchaser wouldn’t know the origins of this printer until they determined to open the case and have a look at the motherboard, which is clearly stamped “Aquila”. Monoprice is a well-liked client electronics web site and lots of the customers can be new to 3D printing. To most individuals, that is only a good trying machine with a improbable price ticket.
Specs: Monoprice Joule
| Machine Footprint | 18.6 x 18.9 x 18.6 inches (473mm x 480 x 473mm) |
| Construct Quantity | 220 x 220 x 250 mm (8.5 x 8.5 x 9.8 inches) |
| Materials | PLA/PETG/TPU |
| Extruder Kind | Bowden |
| Nozzle | .4mm (Interchangeable) |
| Construct Platform | Coated glass, heated |
| Filament Runout Sensor | No |
| Mattress Leveling | Handbook |
| Connectivity | microSD card, Micro USB |
| Interface | Shade LED with knob |
Monoprice Joule: Included within the field
The Monoprice Joule comes with every part you have to get your printer arrange. You get instruments to construct and preserve the printer, facet cutters, a metallic scraper, a nozzle cleaner, a spare nozzle, and a microSD card with a USB adapter. There’s additionally a small pattern of random coloured PLA to print your first mannequin – I bought a really good translucent purple.
The microSD card has a PDF copy of the handbook, a customized slicer referred to as FlashPrint-MP, and fashions in each pre-sliced .gcode and .stl format. The pattern information embody two sensible prints: a device caddy to connect to the Joule’s body, and an alternate spool holder bracket.
Monoprice has a video tutorial on YouTube to stroll you thru the construct course of if you happen to need assistance.
Design of the Monoprice Joule
The Monoprice Joule is a conventional FDM 3D printer constituted of black aluminum extrusions, uncovered screws and some plastic components. Oddly sufficient, the fan cowl nonetheless bears the Voxelab emblem from the Aquila it’s primarily based off of. It doesn’t look as polished as printers coming into the market at the moment that use flat aluminum bars.
It has a plastic extruder with a Bowden tube and helpful stress knobs to assist tighten the belts. The wiring is neatly wrapped with black mesh to maintain it managed, and a case beneath the construct plate comprises the motherboard and energy provide for a tidy, multi function footprint.
I’ve so as to add that the Y axis tensioner was mounted on a threaded rod means too lengthy that caught out via the knob. I didn’t discover it till it nicked me. It was simply solved with a Dremel minimize off wheel, however this isn’t the type of hazard I’m used to anticipating when organising 3D printers.
There’s no device storage for the printer, however you may make one your self with the pattern information included on the microSD card. There’s additionally an alternate bracket if you happen to’d wish to mount your spool holder on the facet.
The Joule has silent stepper motors, however a relatively noisy cooling fan. The 32 bit motherboard is clearly from Aquila.
The mattress has a coated glass plate which is held down with two clips which are simple to take away. The mattress has wonderful grip, however requires a little bit of chiseling to take away prints.
Assembling the Monoprice Joule
The Monoprice Joule is a DIY equipment, which means that you have to assemble a lot of the printer your self. That is each a value saving measure and a strategy to actually acquaint your self with the internal workings of your 3D printer. It took me about an hour to place this machine collectively.
The instructions for meeting are clear, however if you happen to want extra assist Monoprice has a very good YouTube meeting video you’ll be able to comply with. The screws are divided up into labeled baggies, which is extraordinarily useful. Wiring could be very easy as every part is effectively marked.
Leveling the Monoprice Joule
The Monoprice Joule requires handbook mattress leveling and has no built-in program to help. You’ll must residence the printer, disable the steppers and bodily push the device head to every nook. Slide a bit of paper underneath the nozzle and alter the wheels till the nozzle simply scrapes.
We have now a information on handbook mattress leveling if you happen to want extra assist.
One problem I had with the Joule have been weak springs, which put little or no stress on the wheels. It was solely too simple to bump it out of degree when transferring the mattress by hand. That is simply fastened with alternative springs – Creality printers have lengthy had the identical problem, and you need to use the identical components as an Ender 3. In actual fact, I’d suggest shopping for an Ender 3 improve equipment from Amazon (opens in new tab) which can repair frequent points earlier than they wreak havoc in your new printer.
Loading Filament on the Monoprice Joule
One factor that impressed me was the Joule’s filament loading and unloading program, which actually helped simplify altering filament. Choose Management from the principle menu, then scroll right down to Automated load. The machine will mechanically warmth up then advance the filament. You’ll want to face by as a result of it WILL NOT cease loading – you have to inform it when to cease.
To unload materials, simply reverse the method.
Getting ready Information / Software program for Monoprice Joule
The Monoprice Joule comes with a duplicate of FlashPrint-MP, a customized Monoprice slicer that features a profile for the Joule. Ultimaker Cura and PrusaSlicer are fashionable alternate options that’s additionally free to obtain. You received’t discover a profile for the Joule in these slicers, however you’ll be able to simply substitute an Ender 3 Professional, which is similar dimension and equally outfitted.
FlashPrint-MP additionally features a few pattern information, like this flexible wiggly snake.
Printing on the Monoprice Joule
Monoprice included a pattern coil of translucent purple PLA with the Joule, which was a refreshing change of tempo from the boring white samples I’ve seen in different printers. Sadly, it wasn’t sufficient to print all of the presliced information that got here on the microSD card. You’ll positively want extra filament, so try our information to the Finest Filaments for 3D Printing for examples of our favourite supplies.
The Joule actually impressed me with the presliced file dubbed “check” when it printed with none stringing and only a few blobs. Wanting on the gcode, I can inform this was sliced with a typical .2 mm layer top and a print velocity of 50mm/s. It took one hour and 20 minutes to print.
I switched to Protopasta’s Recycle Black PLA to print one other presliced pattern file included with the Joule. This device field can slide onto the grooves on the printer’s base. There was no stringing and the helps popped proper off. This printed in about 7 hours utilizing .2 mm layer top and 50mm/s velocity.
The flexible snake check print additionally printed fairly effectively in Matterhackers’ Raspberry Gold Quantum. (opens in new tab) The exceptionally sticky mattress was simply what this print wanted, because it contact the mattress in lots of small spots. There’s slightly little bit of stair stepping, however the print is simply 4 inches lengthy which exaggerates the .2mm layer top. It prints in a single hour and quarter-hour at 50mm/s.
I needed to print one thing larger, and this help free ChaosCoreTech Pikachu printed at 200% match the invoice. That is utilizing Matterhackers’ Raspberry Gold Quantum (opens in new tab), and had some tough spots across the ears, however in any other case is a clean, clear print. The horizontal line about an inch up is from an influence outage, and I made a decision to strive the ability loss restoration function. The road is the place it resumed the print. It printed in 9 hours and 11 minutes utilizing a .2 mm layer top and 65mm/s velocity.
It had no bother in any respect with PETG – there have been a couple of random wisps that simply disregarded. I used Greengate Purple Reign recycled PETG to print a ChaosCoreTech Poison Bottle. The partitions have been a bit skinny for the translucent filament, so you’ll be able to see the infill. This printed in 5 hours and 35 minutes at .2mm layer top at 65mm.
TPU was much less profitable, however that’s not stunning with a single gear Bowden extruder. I printed this Flexi Rex with Inland Black TPU (opens in new tab). This dino might be cleaned up with slightly trimming as a result of it’s in any other case a strong print that flexes precisely as he ought to. This printed in two hours and 50 minutes at .2mm layer top at 40mm/s.
Backside Line
The Monoprice Joule is a fundamental machine that will be a very good place to begin for a newbie eager to check out 3D printing with out breaking the financial institution. Retailing at $199.99 it’s cheaper than the favored Creality Ender 3 v2 which it’s copycatting. Upgrades and alternative components can be simple to search out because it has a lot in frequent with the Ender 3 line of printers.
The Joule’s greatest downfall is that this can be a “new” printer that doesn’t deliver something new to the desk. The print high quality is usually good, however the high quality management is a bit suspect. The truth that the difficulty with the jittery management knob was seen in our evaluate of the Voxelab Aquila X2 in 2021 signifies that nobody has tried to repair this downside or they’re utilizing left over components.
In the event you’re on the hunt for a newbie pleasant discount printer, try the Elegoo Neptune 2S (opens in new tab), which is at present priced at $204 and is a DIY equipment with a greater PEI versatile mattress. The Ender 2 Professional, our decide for Finest Compact Printer, can typically be discovered on sale for $140 and is a superb place to begin for funds customers.
MORE: Finest 3D Printers
MORE: Finest Resin 3D Printers
