3D Printer Training - Creality K2 Plus

The K2 Plus builds on the existing firmware created for the K1 series. As such, many features are similar. This document outlines the new features and differences.

Mechanics

• The bed size/volume is 350x350x350mm, vs the 300x300x300mm of the K1 Max.
• Featuring linear-rail movement systems, it moves at up to 600mm/s
• The 80W hot-end is updated and all-steel, and not compatible with the K1 Max
  • The hot-end also features a look-down camera for flow-control and pressure-advance tuning
• There is a pair of automatic belt-tensioners, which are activated in the same menu as the "bed-level" feature.
• The Creality Filament System (CFS) supports up to 4 rolls of filament for color printing
  • Note: Flexible filaments (TPU) still has to be fed via the side-mounted mono-feed system.
• The Printer features heating & filtration:
  • 2 chamber fume extraction fans (with carbon packet filters)
  • 1 central chamber heater (excellent for rapid 60°C environments)

Software / Interface

• The menu is now moved from the default web (port 80) location to the "Fluidd" interface at
  http://<ipaddress>:4408
• You can view the camera stream (which is not viewable via the above Fluidd interface) at
  http://<ipaddress>:8000

Creality Filament System (CFS)

• Can be daisy-chained 4-deep for up to 16 spool management
• Can be configured to auto-swap to full spools when the present spool runs out
• Interface is fully integrated with the K2 Plus menu
  
  
• Spools featuring RFID descriptor spools are automatically read when inserted into the CFS
  • Spools not having the RFID can be easily manually entered from the filament menu
• When unpacking a new CFS, remove the 2 silica lids on the bottom of the spool tray and remove the silica bags out of the protective plastic bags.
  • Tip: Keep the silica bags that come with your filament in the center of the filament for additional desiccant capacity.
• Changing colors will naturally create a purge dump on each change
  • Make it a priority to print a discharge bucket! The back is a steel plate, allowing for magnetic attachment.
    
  • TRY to keep color changes vertical, not on the same layer

Creality Print - Configuration

Although there are some excellent slicers, we suggest starting with the Creality Print slicer, from the Creality Website. Setting up your printer with Creality Print is easy as the software contains all the needed profiles and machine definitions with the install.

If you are adding to your printer farm, you will find the menu to add a new printer here under the "Prepare" tab. Select your K2 Plus to make it part of your Slicer.

Under the "Prepare" Tab (center top), the right-side will show a "Filament" header. Click it to open it up

These are the KEY ELEMENTS to managing the spool settings in your Slicer

At this point you are able to bring your .OBJ file into the build-plate area.

TinkerCAD Preparation

If you want to leverage the multicolor feature of your printer you have 2 main methods of having this happen.

1. Paint a Solid Object

Easy. Just create your object as normal, and export it as an .OBJ or .STL file. Then use the Creality Print software to color the sections like you would with a crayon (more on that later).

Easy. Just create your object as normal, and export it as an .OBJ or .STL file. Then use the Creality Print software to color the sections like you would with a crayon.

On the RIGHT side of the "Prepare" menu, this little artist's Palette opens up a variety of methods to paint color onto your object.

Fill mode is VERY convenient and clean.

"Triangle Select" mode lets you pick individual STL triangles to take the color.

2. Create Your Object as a Collection of Parts

This is the preferred method, as it's so much easier to give an object a color attribute, and export it out that way. Create your object in TinkerCad and do not group the colored elements into a final model. Leave them as separate elements.

You MUST export your model as an .OBJ to keep the color assignments with your model. It will export as a .ZIP file.

You CANNOT simply drag the ZIP file into Creality Print. You MUST (as of version 6.0.3.1591) unzip the file, and import it in from the "import" menu (CTRL-I).

"Preview" will show you exactly where the the filaments will locate into your print.