Review: Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro 3D Printer – Quiet and Impressive

Back in the early 2000’s, 3D printing became a fast and popular topic all over the internet. Today, there are so many different types of 3D printers and companies to choose from. How do you decided which one is right for you? What style 3D printer fits your needs? The newest Elegoo FDM 3D printer is the Neptune 3 Pro. Why would someone purchase this type of 3D printer over a UV printer? What’s the difference? Let’s find out. . .

The Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro is one of the greatest and latest of the Neptune series FDM printers from Elegoo. Naturally, it would feature improvements and refinements across the board, and shockingly the “Pro” designation highlights additional features to better quality, reliability, and usability. Thanks to its move to direct extrusion, the Neptune 3 Pro has newfound capabilities. Unlike past generations, users can now work with a wider range of filaments, such as flexible materials.

Technical Overview

The Neptune 3 Pro print platform is marginally deeper and wider than the Standard Neptune 3 at 225 x 255 x 280mm. This is a 5mm increase in both directions, making it capable to print most predesigned models found online. The print bed is magnetic and removable. This makes detaching a print super quick and simple! 

Instead of trying to pry off a finished print, which most of the time will cause some sort of dent or scratch in the print or the print bed, users can just wait for it to cool down, then remove the thin magnetic plate while the 3D printed model is still attached. With a little bend, the print will pop right off. The area on the plate has a slightly texture finish which helps hide the printed lines on the primary layer. A person upgrading from a 3D printer that is a bit older, will feel this feature is magic!

Features

Thirty-Six Point Auto Bed Leveling System

The non-contact high precision sensor mechanically scans the hotbed at thirty-six points, and it collects data in true-time. It makes compensation for any irregularities and unevenness of the printing bed by mechanically adjusting the Z-axis height. This method ensures a consistent and smooth primary layer, which is the foundation of the entire print.

Dual-Gear Direct Extruder

The latest direct dual-gear extrusion mechanism on the Neptune 3 Pro has been built with stronger materials and has a reduction ratio of 3:1. This adjustment allows for better performance all around and helps push filament through with less clogging in the nozzle. Users can expect a higher success rate for their prints and less under-extrusion issues. This direct drive by Elegoo is made with SUS303 high-quality stainless steel and is compatible with many different filaments – PLA, TPU, ABS and PETG. Direct drive extruders allow for better control over the filament movement, since it is mounted to the printhead. The alternate Bowden setup on other FDM 3D printers is mounted to the frame.

Z-Axis Dual Lead Screws

The print head keeps well balanced while moving along the Z-axis during the printing process, because of the dual-motor drive and dual synchronized lead screws. Having this setup rejects any printing deviation driven by a single Z-axis lead screw motor. The printer will auto-stop when the filament runs out or in the case of a power outage. Users can resume printing afterward with little to no issues.

Removable Touchscreen

The 4.3-inch removable capacitive touch display can be run by hand-held or fixed on the base. It is hard wired to the unit, this touchscreen stays connected to the 3D printer. It has a built-in print model preview feature, which gives users the ability to preview the model before picking the print and observe the printing progress with a true-time comparison image.

What’s In The Box?

The Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro comes mostly assembled in the box, but it will need about 20min of time to have it ready to boot up. The included flash drive holds a users manual and an easy to follow video tutorial of the 3D printer setup process. They have included extra spare parts and all of the tools users will need to repair and maintain this machine.

• Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro (Base / Frame)
• Two spare brass nozzles
• Spanners for changing nozzle
• Print removal spatula
• Selection of Allen Keys
• Screwdrivers
• PTEFE Tube
• USB Memory Card and reader
• USB cable
• Snips
• Sample of PLA Filament
• Bolts for assembly
• Cable tires

Upgraded kit

It features an aluminum alloy flat heat sink structure for warming and a three fan-cooling system for amazing heat dissipation. It has a TC4 titanium alloy throat and 0.44mm diameter brass nozzle.

Why Choose the Neptune 3 Pro?

The Neptune 3 Pro is an FDM printer. FDM or “Fused Deposition Modeling” is a 3D printing type that uses thermoplastic material to make objects layer by layer. While this technology has been around for decades, it is the backbone of 3D printing technology as a whole. Listed below are five things that the Neptune 3 Pro FDM 3D printer is best used for and who would get the most out of it.

1: Creating Complex, Full Objects

Thanks to the layered printing process of the Neptune 3 Pro, objects can be created with a top level of complexity and detail.

2: Printing Big Pieces

FDM printers have a bigger build volume than most other 3D printing technologies. This makes them perfect for printing big objects and the Neptune 3 Pro is a level up from most.

3: Price and Build Structure

If you are in the market for a 3D printer that works extremely well, while still not breaking the bank, the Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro is a top choice. From the amazing build quality, the very fast and ultra quiet printing, it is a 3D printer sure to wow makers of all expertise levels. Elegoo has also included a slew of other features embedded into this 3D printer found on top-end devices. Users who are just starting out in 3D printing should have no problem assembling the device. Just follow the easy step by step video that is sent on the micro SD card (or the video below) and you’ll have it up and running in no time.

4: Printing Models and Prototypes

FDM printing is best for creating models and prototypes of your designs. It permits you to immediately iterate on your ideas without having to hesitate about the cost of material waste or the price that is linked with traditional ways of prototyping at the beginning. Users can find different types of filament at lower costs all over the internet, and thankfully the Neptune 3 Pro uses the majority of them.

5: Creating Functional Parts

FDM printers can be used to make functional parts for finished and prototypes products, permitting you to test the performance of your designs before bringing them to the market. Whether you need lightweight components or durable, tough parts, FDM printing has you covered. With the best material, printer, and design expertise, The Neptune 3 Pro 3D printer is capable of creating just about anything you can think of.

Pros

• Clear, large, and responsive controls
• Direct extrusion
• New integrated LED lighting
• Power outage recovery

Cons

• A slightly tall machine – would not fit under most cabinets.

End Words

Elegoo has designed and manufactured a lot of 3D printers since the companies founding, and the Neptune 3 Pro has all of the top features needed in a 3D printer and more. Elegoo has made this product at a price that will awaken the bargain hunter in any ‘do it yourself’ type person. It can be assembled in under thirty minutes; it has a direct drive extruder, a thirty-six point mechanical bed leveling system, a nice 4.3-inch touchscreen interface, and a warmed bed with a flexible PEI-coated magnetic sheet for simple model removal. The Neptune 3 Pro is part of a series of 3D printers by Elegoo that fits into a users personal preference. At the retail price of only $300, the Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro is an outstanding deal that does everything an FDM 3D printer can do. This is a definite recommendation for anyone who wants to create high quality large prototypes while not worrying about material costs and cleanup that comes with UV 3D printers. We’ll be reviewing the Neptune 3 PLUS next, so check back soon.