Anycubic’s Kobra 3 V2 desktop FFF 3D printer looks like a reasonable upgrade over the Kobra 3.
The company’s Kobra line has been their mainstay in the past year, seeing multiple upgrades as each version is launched. The Kobra 3 V2 provides some differences from its predecessor, the Kobra 3, which we reviewed last year.
The Kobra 3 was the first device from Anycubic that offered multicolor 3D printing via its ACE PRO filament swapping accessory. The new Kobra 3 V2 continues that tradition, also using the ACE PRO.
The Kobra 3 V2 is an open gantry i3-style machine, unlike many new machines from competitors offering enclosed CoreXY systems. Anycubic’s offering in that area is their powerful Kobra S1, which we also tested recently.
Visually, the Kobra 3 V2 is very similar to the original Kobra 3, so what’s different? There are a number of subtle differences.
While the build volume remains the same 255 x 255 x 260 mm, Anycubic has extended the Y-axis some 60mm. This means height deviations are minimized and levelling is more precise.
They’ve also upgraded the bearings on the X-axis to ensure more reliability and durability.
The nozzle has been taken from the more advanced S1 system and used on the Kobra 3 V2. Anycubic said this should reduce leaking during printing.
Onboard webcams were optional on the original Kobra 3, but the Kobra 3 V2 has by default a 720p webcam to use with their Anycubic App to monitor printing in real time.
The Kobra 3 was compatible with a single ACE PRO unit, meaning it could print up to four colors in a single job. The Kobra 3 V2 is ready to attach two ACE PRO units, enabling it to print in up to eight colors in a job. This is a slight modification that involves use of an eight-filament adapter shown above.
I should note that the ACE PRO is a pretty sophisticated filament swapping accessory. Along with the ability to dry spools, it can also automatically detect jams.
Anycubic states the highest print speed on the Kobra 3 V2 is 600mm/s, which is likely achieved when printing 0.1mm layers. Regardless, this is a pretty fast machine, able to produce a #3DBenchy in only 11:30.
Pricing of the Kobra 3 V2 is quite attractive. As a standalone 3D printer, your price is only US$299. The combo version that includes an ACE PRO unit is a low US$39, and the eight-colour version with two ACE PRO units is US$658.
Via Anycubic
