The K2 is the next iteration in the high-performance “K” series 3D printers from Creality. Improving on the feature set of the K1C, it key features are:

• Name:K2. Because it’s +1 more than the K1. (Creality’s naming conventions baffles us).
• Size: 260 x 260 x 260mm, up from the “Ender size standard” of 220 x 220.
• CFS out-of-the-box: The “Creality Filament System” allows hot-swapping between 4 to 16 rolls of filament, hands-free.
• Improved Motion Control: Steppers are good, but these 3-phase AC “Field Orientation Control” motors are better. Not only featuring faster acceleration (30k mm/s² vs 20k), but unlike steppers they know their position at all times (no lost step errors).
• Smart Auto-Leveling: Rather than checking the level of the ENTIRE platform, the K2 does a selective level, only probing the area it’s going to use. MUCH quicker.
• High Temperature Hotend: Still an excellent capable 300°C.
• Nozzle: It’s an enhanced version of the “Unicorn” tri-metal nozzle, which are also still quick-to-change.
• Active Chamber Temperature Control: A dedicated ventilation unit maintains a desired chamber temperature.
• Connectivity: USB thumbdrive and now dual-band wifi 2.4 and 5GHz.
• Dual Cameras: One chamber monitoring camera, and now an additional on-head calibration camera
• Upgraded Z-Axis Motion System: Dual rail-pairs for vertical motion coupled with the new FOC motors make for rapid calibration and motion events.

All the other features are common between them – size/speed/firmware/screen… it still very much feels like a regular K-series printer. This is a nice change of pace from Creality’s regular “Let’s totally change up the menu system again” design philosophy.

The new FOC motors allow acceleration up to an impressive 30m/s² – that’s three times as fast as the acceleration due to gravity! That means it can quickly get up to speed, then slow down again during a print, which is part of the reason it can print so fast. But to make use of this speed, make sure to run those calibration routines built into the printer!

Features:

• Ships practically fully assembled – remove a few shipping screws, run the automatic self-test and calibration routine, and you’re ready to print.
• Direct drive extruder rated to 300°C, capable of 40mm³/s of filament flow.
• Automatic bed leveling uses strain gauges for an accurate and consistent first layer.
• Monitor print progress locally using the built in web interface or from anywhere using the Creality Cloud application.
• CoreXY mechanical movement system driven by the CrealityOS (which is a fork of the ground-breaking Klipper firmware) allows for fast prints without sacrificing quality.
• Fully enclosed metal frame makes ABS and other hard to print materials possible (and useful for those owning cats!).
• Multiple part cooling fans – one on the hotend and another monstrous auxiliary part-cooling fan mounted inside the case, plus a chamber temperature control unit.
• Exhaust port Charcoal filter tray for fume mitigation.
• Light bar for illuminating your print progress.
• Load files over Wi-Fi or via USB thumb stick – no more fiddly micro SD cards!
• Removable complete top cover for thermal control and easy maintenance access.
• Removable PEI powder-coated spring-steel build platform.

Specifications:

• Build volume: 260 x 260 x 260mm
• Machine external dimensions: 404 x 436 x 545mm (not including display and filament holder)
• Layer height: 0.1mm-0.35mm (with included 0.4mm nozzle)
• Printing accuracy: ±0.1mm over 100mm
• Speed: 600mm/s maximum, 300mm/s typical
• Acceleration: 30,000mm/s² maximum, 12,000mm/s² typical
• Stock nozzle diameter: 0.4mm
• Nozzle temperature: ≤300°C
• Bed temperature: ≤110°C
• Storage: 8GB internal

FOC Motor Comparison