Moving into 3D printing could be a daunting prospect. Apart from selecting a printer, there’s the rigmarole of assembling it, making certain it’s stage, discovering a spot the place it’ll each match and received’t be interfered with, the listing goes on. The Weedo Tina2, is aimed toward simplifying this entire affair, and as a fast look on the firm’s web site confirms, is focused at each newcomers and kids.
Additionally bought underneath a few different model names, together with the Monoprice Cadet, the Weedo Tina2 is on the market as two fashions; the Tina2 Primary mannequin (the one we examined) comes with a MicroSD slot (for direct printing) and a PC connectivity by way of PC. The Improve mannequin provides a finger-protecting nozzle guard and WIFI, although we’re not satisfied the latter improve is price it.
Arrange is simplicity itself, not least as a result of the entire compact unit is enclosed in a steel body, roughly ten inches in top, appropriate for relocating at a second’s discover. The commerce off is that the print mattress is ok for collectible figurines and small busts, not a lot for greater items.
However should you’re taking your first steps into the world of 3D printing, it’s unlikely you’ll be going all out till you’ve acquired to grips with the know-how. The Weedo Tina2, whereas it might lack just a few of the bells and whistles of the best 3D printers, undoubtedly is aware of its viewers. However how properly does it ship?
Weedo Tina2: Design and arrange
The Weedo Tina2 is clear and compact and, in contrast to some bulkier 3D printers, which resemble a bit of commercial tools, it might probably simply be hid within the nook of a room or on a very broad shelf. Sure, the noise it makes mid-print is probably going to offer it away, however visually, it’s about as intrusive as an everyday inkjet printer
Set-up is a breeze and, utilizing fashions on the offered Micro SD card, you might be printing inside 5 minutes. When you’ve unpacked the Tina2 you plug it in, take away a piece of cardboard from the nozzle space, join the filament tube (one finish is already connected), energy up and also you’re good to go.
Our one gripe, design-wise, is how tiny the PLA reel holder is, designed to carry smaller and thinner and fewer cost-effective 500/600g reels. You possibly can nearly perch a 1KG reel on the holder however thankfully there are a number of bigger reel holders which you could print out and connect to the Tina2, or you may purchase a free-standing holder (opens in new tab).
Weedo Tina2: Specs and options
We initially balked on the Tina2’s monochrome show which, managed by a dial, appeared as if it will be unwieldy. However we acquired to grips with it actually rapidly, to the purpose the place navigating the interface has turn into second nature.
Key specs
Operation: 2.5 inch LCD display screen
Software program: WiiBuilder 2, Cura 3
Connectivity: USB/Micro SD
Know-how: FDM
Layer res.: 0.1-0.4mm
Printing pace: 40mm/s
Printer measurement: 215x200x270mm
Construct quantity: 105x105x105mm
Materials: PLAFilament Diameter: 1.75mm
Max. Nozzle Temperature: 260℃
The Tina2 is supremely transportable and comes with options you won’t count on from a dinky system like this. Not solely does it auto-level earlier than every print, nevertheless it additionally lets you save a print mid-run, then come again later. So in case you have it on a desk and immediately want the space again, that’s not an issue.
The offered Micro SD card accommodates two totally different slicing packages, WiiBuilder 2 and a customized model of Cura 3. Each packages are straightforward to make use of, although we discovered Cura 3 to be that little bit extra intuitive. WiiBuilder 2 will allow you to print out of your PC (by way of USB cable) however provided that the Micro SD slot is on the highest of the printer, we discovered it extra handy to deliver the cardboard (you should utilize any Micro SD card) to the printer. Sure, the upgraded model of the Tina2 helps wi-fi communication however Weedo’s requires you to make use of their cellular app, which suggests it’s not correct WiFi, or no less than as easy as WiFi connectivity must be.
The Tina2 has a 100mm x 120mm x 100mm print space (the utmost measurement a mannequin might be) which is smaller than most nevertheless it inspired us to become familiar with the fundamentals of 3D modelling. Utilizing Autodesk Meshmixer and Microsoft 3D builder, we experimented with splitting fashions in half, including tabs so we might reconnect the items and making a spider with the top of Clint Eastwood (don’t ask).
There’s a snag with the print space, although, and it has nothing to do with its measurement. Most trendy printers have a heated print mattress, which helps the primary print layer persist with the mattress and when you can print a base, or “raft” for the mannequin to take a seat on, it’s not at all times a requirement.
The Tina2’s print mattress, nonetheless, isn’t heated; as an alternative, it makes use of an adhesive sq. of masking-tape materials to supply adhesion for the removeable construct plate. The sticker will sooner or later, put on out, by which case you should purchase additional stickers from Weedo ($15 for 10) or use masking tape as an alternative.
You’ll have to print a raft, utilizing “construct plate adhesion” field in Cura, which is mechanically enabled by default. You’ll then need to manually peel that layer off the underside of your mannequin – it’s best should you do straight after the print has completed – however that’s a comparatively minor inconvenience.
Weedo Tina2: Print high quality and pace
Like all FDM printers, utilizing the Tina2 means dwelling with layer traces although how seen these traces are relies on the standard you print at. Utilizing Cura 3’s default “Tremendous” setting we acquired glorious outcomes, with print-outs the place the layers had been solely seen at a distance of 40cm or so. Dialing the standard as much as Additional Tremendous made all of them however invisible although given it tripled the printing time, it’s not likely well worth the trade-off.
At a median pace of 40mm/s, it takes between 5 and eight hours to print a 9-10cm mannequin, although that’ll depend upon what number of detachable helps it wants. Cura 3 helpfully highlights overhangs and, must you tick the field, will add helps to the mannequin, although figuring out whether or not you may get away with out helps is right down to apply.
Picture 1 of 3
As a result of smaller print mattress we did have to scale down just a few fashions – straightforward to perform utilizing Cura 3’s interface – however we had good outcomes all spherical. Elden Ring’s Ranni the Witch (her hat was printed individually) seemed improbable, as did Luigi’s nemesis Waluigi, although we had a contact and go second when it got here to eradicating the helps from his moustache.
We printed out an in depth mannequin of an Apollo 11 astronaut and, at 6cm in measurement, we had been ready to select the hose connectors on the swimsuit. It’s solely once we began going beneath 5cm that we misplaced just a little element; even at Additional Tremendous, Neil Armstrong’s crow’s toes didn’t make it onto the print, although they had been on the unique file that we downloaded.
Weedo Tina2 Assessment: Value & guarantee
The Weedo Tina2 Primary is on the market from Weedo (opens in new tab) or Amazon (opens in new tab) for $149.99 and Amazon UK (opens in new tab) for £135 or so making it one of many least expensive 3D printers round. It does appear just a little unfair to make the heat-guard unique to the Tina2 Improve, nevertheless it’s as much as you whether or not defending little fingers (or the massive fingers of careless adults) is price the additional £40.
Different corporations promote the Tina2 they usually can, generally, be even cheaper. The Entina Tina 2, which appears to be all however equivalent, is selling on Amazon UK (opens in new tab) for £119.99 (together with a £30 tick-box voucher low cost). Should you determine to purchase, it’s price preserving an eye fixed out for related promotions.
Do you have to purchase the Weedo Tina2?
Should you’re on the lookout for an affordable and straightforward method into 3D printing, or if you wish to educate another person, completely you must. Sure, the construct space is small however that must be high quality for newcomers. And, because of its compact measurement and auto-levelling means, you may take it out and put it away at will, with out the necessity to tie up a specific space.
Using base plate stickers does appear may appear just a little low-tech, nevertheless it’s an affordable concession to maintain the Tina2’s value down. Sooner or later you may end up wanting an even bigger and sooner machine however by the point you progress on you’ll have realized an terrible lot.
If this 3D printer isn’t best for you
Should you’ve already acquired loads of expertise with 3D printing otherwise you need to print greater items, a large-bed FDM printer just like the AnyCubic Kobra ($269 from Amazon (opens in new tab) / £269 from Amazon UK (opens in new tab)) could also be extra appropriate. It’s a pricier buy however its print space and print pace is double that of the Tina2.
Or if you wish to go even greater, the AnyCubic Kobra Plus (currently $447.99 on Amazon (opens in new tab)) has a large 350 x 300 x 300 mm; you may learn our assessment of the Anycubic Kobra Plus.
Then again, should you’d wish to create small however detailed, sturdy items, tabletop gaming collectible figurines for instance, a resin printer just like the Elegoo Mars 2 ($225 from Amazon (opens in new tab)) could possibly be simply the job. You possibly can take a look at our Elegoo Mars 2 review to see our full ideas.
