Flsun is a 3D printer manufacturer founded in 2015. Each product the company released offers improved quality, speed, and volume. Of course, the product featured in our Flsun S1 Review is no different.
The S1 is the largest and fastest printer from Flsun as of today. It can print large objects, and its speed is on par with commercial 3D printers. But does it produce high-quality prints and perform well?
Our Flsun S1 Review will discuss all the details you need to know about this 3D printer. We will discuss its design, features, and its performance during our tests.
Flsun S1 Review – Design and Functionality
The S1 is a delta 3D printer, a design known for precision and speed. Delta printers stabilise the build plate and move the hotend around with a three-point gantry system. This design allows faster printing than the bed slinger type and makes levelling easier.
This 3D printer measures 55 x 59.5 x 103cm. Since it is a delta printer, the S1 has a circular build plate. Its build capacity has a 320mm circumference and a height of 430mm, making it a sizable working area.
We loved this massive design since it allowed printing larger objects when we tested it for this Flsun S1 Review.
This 3D printer has three slender carbon fibre arms sliding up and down on rails driven by a belt. It has a steel enclosure that makes it heavy, weighing around 43kg.
With its size, weight, and design, this 3D printer is not portable. It is best to place it in offices, classrooms, or workshops where you will not move it frequently. Although massive, it has a sleek, futuristic look that is easy to integrate into your workspace.
Glass Panel, Fan, and Spool Holder
The glass panel blends seamlessly with the front of the S1 and displays large, clear text and graphics. You will also see a speedometer that shows the print head speed.
The S1 has a CPAP turbofan that spins as fast as 40000 rpm. This high rotating speed offers abundant cooling power to ensure your quality prints. You will find this fan tucked into the upper compartment of the S1.
The spool holder of the S1 is inside a built-in filament drier. It can work while the printer is idle or running, allowing you to prepare the filament before use. You can also keep it dry during printing.
Note that the dryer only has an on/off switch and a timer and does not have temperature settings.
You will find the spindle mounted on the load sensor to estimate the amount of spool used. It is not highly accurate, but it is a handy feature that provides a general idea of the remaining spool.
Klipper Firmware and Built-in Camera
The S1 runs Klipper with the Mainsail interface. It has a camera mounted inside, so you will not need to do a monitoring set-up.
This 3D printer can take timelapse videos and has a fisheye lens to fit enormous build volumes in the frame. Also, note that it can only save one video at a time.
Key Features of the Flsun S1
AI Detection
The S1 uses the AI Intelligent Detection Camera to monitor your prints and detect spaghetti and debris. When it spots these issues, the 3D printer will pause its operation. You can confirm or ignore the warning when you receive the notification.
Time Lapse
Although more 3D printers are implementing the timelapse video function, we want to highlight it in our Flsun S1 Review. It uses the same onboard camera to record a video of the printing process.
You can watch finished time-lapse videos directly via the touchscreen of the S1. Another option is to store it in a flash drive for watching on PC.
Robust All-metal frame
The all-metal frame ensures maximum stability for the S1. It prevents movements and vibrations when operating at high speeds.
Adequate Heating for High Performance
The S1 has an ultra-light dual-gear direct drive extruder. It features a high-flow hotend with a 0.4mm hardened steel nozzle reaching temperatures up to 350°C. Its 80W ceramic heating element reaches high temperatures fast, allowing even filament heating and melting.
We enjoyed using these features when we tested the product for this Flsun S1 Review. With excellent heating and melting, this 3D printer produced smooth and high-quality prints.
Powerful Cooling Fan
The CPAP turbo fan spins up to 40000 rpm to evenly cool printed layers. It cools a single layer within one second, achieving perfectly smooth prints.
36V Closed-loop Stepper Motor
The closed-loop stepper motor lets the S1 withstand various performance needs without issues. The stepper motor with a strain sensor and a control circuit is fast and precise. As a result, the S1 becomes ideal for ultra-high-speed printing.
Vibration Compensation
The S1 effectively reduces vibrations at full speed with its innovative vibration compensation.
New Era of Ultra High-Speed 3D Printing
High-speed 3D printing is a revolution due to the tech surge today. Flsun designed the S1 with balanced speed and precision to meet modern demands. It can print as fast as 1200mm/s.
We tested its high-speed printing to test its performance, which we will discuss later in our Flsun S1 Review.
Specifications
Printing Technology: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Printing Accuracy: 0.1mm
Recommended Layer Height: 0.1 – 0.35mm
Chassis
- Build Volume: ⌀320mm x 430mm
- Frame: Full Metal
- Product Dimensions: 550mm x 595mm x 1030mm
- Package Dimensions: 640mm x 680mm x 1120mm
- Net Weight: 41kg
- Gross Weight: 51kg
Effector
- Extruder: Dual-Gear Direct Drive
- Nozzle: Hardened Steel
- Nozzle Max Temperature: 350°C
- Nozzle Diameter: 0.4mm
- Filament Diameter: 1.75mm
Motor
- Type: 36V Closed-loop Motor
Bed
- Build Plate: Textured PEI Print Plate
- Max Bed Temperature: 120°C
- Smart Zone Heating:
- Inner Circle: ⌀220mm
- Outer Ring: 220-320mm
Materials Supported:
- PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, ASA, PVA, PET, PA, PC, PLA-CF, etc.
Drying
- Components: Separate Heating Elements, Desiccant
Cooling
- Fan: CPAP Turbofan (40,000 rpm)
Speed
- Max Printing Speed: 1200mm/s
- Max Acceleration: 40,000mm/s²
- Max Flow Rate: 110mm³/s (PLA)
Power Supply Unit (PSU)
- Input: 110-240V, 50/60Hz
- Power Consumption: 1300W @ 220V, 600W @ 110V
Electronics
- Display: Full-Integration Touchscreen
- Storage: 16GB EMMC, 32GB USB Flash
- Control Interface: Touchscreen, PC Interface
- CPU: Quad-Core ARM A7 (1.5 GHz)
- NPU: 2 TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second)
Camera
- Resolution: 1920 × 1080 pixels
- Real-time Monitoring: Supported
- Time-lapse Photography: Supported
Sensors
- Remaining Filament Weight: Dynamic Monitoring
- Filament Detection: Supported
- Filament Clog Detection: Supported
- Vibration Compensation: Supported
- Auto-Leveling: Supported
AI Features
- Lidar Detection: First Layer Detection, Accuracy Calibration, Flow Calibration
- Debris Detection: Supported
- Spaghetti Detection: Supported
Energy Efficiency
- Screen Auto Sleep: Supported
- Printer Auto Power Off: Supported
- Smart Zone Heating: Supported
- Power Off Resume Print Module: Supported (Z lift, model protection)
Air Filter
- Type: Composite Filter (HEPA + Activated Carbon)
System Upgrade
- Method: Over-the-Air (OTA)
Software
- Slicer: Flsun Slicer, Third-Party Slicers Supported
- Supported OS: MacOS, Windows
- File Formats: STL, OBJ, AMF, 3MF
Hands-on with the Flsun S1
We began our hands-on experience with the Flsun S1 by assembling the 3D printer, and we were pleased with the process. Flsun provides all the essential tools and accessories for both printing and maintenance right out of the box.
Included were a nozzle cleaner and grease for routine upkeep, side cutters for trimming prints, a USB drive for file transfers, a spare hotend kit for replacements, and a filament spool to get started. These thoughtful inclusions ensured that we had everything we needed to begin testing without any additional purchases.
One of the standout aspects of the Flsun S1 is its pre-assembled state. Unlike many 3D printers that require extensive setup, the S1 arrived nearly ready to go. We only had to connect a few cables, snap on the front panel that houses the screen at the bottom, and attach the front door. This simplified setup process was a welcome relief, allowing us to focus more on testing and less on assembly.
Once assembled, we quickly put the S1 to the test, and its performance was impressive. However, one aspect that stood out immediately was the noise level when printing at high speeds. The CPAP fan, which plays a crucial role in cooling the printed layers, spins at a remarkable 40,000 RPM, making it quite loud during operation. While this noise might be a downside for some users, it serves a functional purpose by maintaining the optimal temperature for prints, ensuring high-quality results.
Interestingly, the noise levels were directly correlated with the print speed. When we slowed down the print speed, the fan’s rotation decreased, resulting in significantly reduced noise. This adaptability makes it more versatile, depending on whether you prioritize speed or a quieter environment.
In terms of print quality, the Flsun S1 truly excels. Throughout our tests, which included printing various models of different sizes and complexities, the results were consistently superior. We did not encounter any issues with bed adhesion, a common problem in 3D printing, which is a testament to the printer’s well-engineered build platform. The prints came out smooth, detailed, and free of any significant imperfections, demonstrating the S1’s ability to deliver high-quality results even at its highest speeds.
The Flsun S1 impressed us with its ease of setup, powerful performance, and excellent print quality. While it may be noisy at high speeds, the trade-off is well worth it for those who need rapid and precise 3D printing capabilities. Whether you’re a professional or an enthusiast, the S1’s combination of features and user-friendly design makes it a standout choice in the 3D printer market.
Flsun S1 Review Summary
The Flsun S1 3D printer distinguishes itself as a formidable tool in the realm of high-speed, large-format printing. With its delta design, known for precision and speed, the S1 offers a significant build volume, making it suitable for a wide range of projects.
The combination of a robust all-metal frame and advanced features, such as AI Intelligent Detection and powerful cooling systems, ensures that it can consistently produce high-quality prints with remarkable speed.
One of the standout features of the S1 is its ability to print at speeds comparable to commercial-grade 3D printers, reaching up to 1200mm/s. This high-speed capability, paired with its precision mechanics, such as the 36V closed-loop stepper motor and vibration compensation technology, enables it to handle complex prints with ease, maintaining both accuracy and detail.
The printer’s user-friendly design, including a built-in camera for time-lapse videos and a convenient filament dryer, adds to its appeal, making it easier to monitor and manage printing tasks.
Despite its considerable size and weight, the S1’s sleek, futuristic design allows it to fit seamlessly into professional environments such as offices, classrooms, or workshops.
During testing, the S1 demonstrated superior print quality across various models, with no significant issues related to bed adhesion or print stability.
The high-flow hotend and powerful cooling fan work together to ensure that each layer is printed smoothly, even at high speeds. While the printer is loud when operating at its maximum capacity, this is a minor trade-off for the level of performance it delivers.
The Flsun S1 is not just a 3D printer; it’s a high-performance machine designed to meet the demands of modern 3D printing. Its blend of speed, precision, and advanced features makes it an ideal choice for professionals and serious enthusiasts who require both efficiency and reliability in their printing projects.
While it may not be the most portable option, its capabilities more than justify its size and noise levels, making it a valuable investment for those looking to push the boundaries of what 3D printing can achieve.
