Need to get a 3D printer? Go for the FDM ones, which are small, easily available, and straightforward. But, you can’t go to a store and ask for an FDM printer only because there are subtypes such as CoreXY, Cartesian, Delta, Scara, and much more. Out of these, the most used ones are the Cartesian and CoreXY 3D printers. Technically speaking, CoreXY is a subtype of Cartesian, but many people get confused in both.
Similarly, there is a hell of a lot of a difference in terms of technologies, even if they all use fused deposition modeling. Hence here we are with this guide. You will get all the information regarding well-known FDM 3D printers and the CoreXY VS Cartesian comparison. Hence, spare some time and read this CoreXY vs Cartesian guide till the end.
What Are Cartesian 3D Printers?
You might have learned Cartesian coordinates while in school, right? The X, Y, and Z axes decide the place of a point, and later we plotted those points accordingly on the paper. The same idea is used in the Cartesian printers. These printers can print in X, Y, and Z directions. The printing head moves along the X and Y axes, while the printing bed only moves forward or backward according to the printing direction. Cartesian is a general term for describing 3D printers because there are many subtypes, including CoreXY, H-bot, and Delta.
Cartesian 3D printers are freely available as well as easy to use. Hence, many people prefer using them over anything. However, they are on the slower side and have low efficiency compared to CoreXY printers.
Advantages of Cartesian 3D Printers
- Cartesian 3D printers are well established. Many people have been using them with no problem.
- You can find a Cartesian printer and its replaceable parts immediately compared to other printers.
- They are learner-friendly, easy to set up, and can work with many filaments.
Disadvantages of Cartesian 3D Printers
- Cartesian 3D printers cannot build big objects because of their size constraint. However, you can join small objects and make big ones.
- Occasionally, they might not be accurate as the printing head might take time to change direction while the filament oozes out.
What is CoreXY 3D Printer?
As said earlier, the CoreXY is a subtype of Cartesian printer which uses the X and Y axes for creating 3D objects. They were introduced way after the basic ones but became more popular for their print quality. Unlike the Cartesian printers, these CoreXY printers are cube-shaped with frames. Using a belt motion system, the printing head moves along the X and Y axes through these frames.
Therefore making the print accurate and swift. CoreXY printers have many advantages over Cartesian, which is why professionals and greatly skilled users use them. However, it’s not for beginners and needs an adjustment of pulleys and belts, so newbies might not get it correct.
Advantages of CoreXY 3D Printers
- CoreXY printers are known for their high speed and their precision.
- CoreXY printers are highly affordable and are easily available.
- The CoreXY 3D printer is a must if you are a professional, and they provide highly accurate prints.
Disadvantages of CoreXY 3D Printers
- The CoreXY printers have a complicated working of belt and pulleys that needs to be adjusted every time before printing.
- Due to a compact build, you need to compromise on your print volume.
You can also check our top 10 picks for the best CoreXY 3D Printer
CoreXY Vs Cartesian 3D Printers – Know The Differences
Even if both are 3D printers, some minor differences make them stand out. Here are some factors to compare them.
Kinematics
In Cartesian 3D printers, the printing bed moves along the Z axis, while the printing head moves along the X and Y axes. Also, the printer is not enclosed. On the other hand, the CoreXY printers are enclosed within frames through which the printing head moves in X and Y axes while the printing bed remains stable.
Speed
The CoreXY is an advanced version of Cartesian. That’s why CoreXY printers have a higher speed and better accuracy. On the other hand, the Cartesian 3D printers take more time. Moreover, the accuracy is lower as the printing head changes direction slowly while the filament gets deposited.
Pricing
Even if it depends on the model type and range of features, generally, Cartesian printers are cheaper. However, with a little more increase in budget, you can find a decent CoreXY printer with accurate printing ability. We recommend a decently priced printer for better printing and long-lasting performance.
Ergonomics
If you are a beginner in 3D printing, you will require an easy-to-use printer with straightforward actions, right? If yes, the Cartesian 3D printer is what you can have. Cartesian 3D printers are used for their work, mostly by beginners. However, if you are experienced, you can get a CoreXY 3D printer, but it has complex working.
Conclusion
The CoreXY and Cartesian 3D printers both have their pros and cons. While the Cartesian printer is well suited for beginners, experienced people can go for the CoreXY 3D printers. Even if they both might look alike, minute differences make them unique. Besides these two, there are many other FDM printer types that you can get; here, we tried covering the most popular ones in short. Lastly, we hope you can now buy a 3D printer of your choice without confusion.
