Things not mentioned or mentioned but which have been upgraded since this review are:
The Elegoo updates on shipping models are thicker right wall where print spool holder is mounted.
Sides are metal, not plastic, they added more LED lights inside, they added a multi-material interface to the back of the machine, it comes with hardened steel hot end, they added springs onto the bottom of the heat bed and some rubber bumpers on door mounts and beveled edges inside for less wear on PTFE tubing.
The Elegoo runs without the need for LAN Mode because it does not use a cloud service. It runs a version of Klipper from what I’ve heard but have not dug into the firmware yet. But the API is open and mods are already available adding features like a filament motion detection feature( CC_SFS ). I’m using Orcaslicer which has defaults for the Elegoo machines. Note: defaults for the smoother side of the build plate have too low a temp(30C) and some people are breaking their machines when parts come loose and plastic blob consumes the hotend then causes it to break off when it parks. Should probably be 40C and/or use school glue stick on that smooth side.
So far it’s been a solid machine and I’m working on understanding its nuances but like it’s performance, quality(output and build) and price. Having worked with the Bambu P1S and have friends with the X1C this machine(Elegoo CC) will be eating some of their lunch.
I’ve not heard any updates but I have seen some people mention their posts were deleted in the official Elegoo redit forum for posting things about/against/etc the multi-material system. To me that means they want to keep discussions away from it until they are ready to post data on it. And they know people are wanting it. I’ll post when I hear something.
We will see how they react. If they are very much interested in being the hardware supplier more than locking down users with software lock-ins then they will be open to following the GPL requirements.
People are probing the binary files of the ‘firmware’ for the CC and more and more it’s looking like Klipper on a DSP with an embedded Linux on an Allwinner MCU so lots of porting went on and likely lots of customizations to get it running. But still they are supposed to release the source.
Word on the street has it that a company named Chitu was hired by Elegoo for the firmware in the CC. Chita used a 5 year old version of Klipper and is the same as some other 3D printer vendors who’ve done the same. Ported to Xtensa MCUs with Allwinnner running Linux host and the Allwinner SDK runs $6500 per seat.
Latest image of the AMS extracted from the latest firmware which contains AMS software. There seems to be a standard and lite version with the standard being 4 spools and the lite likely being 2 spools.
One thing I’m curious about is how easily the AMS/FFS can be bypassed — if it’s easy to use a 3rd filament, then I could see the lite’s 2 spools working well for me.
From what’s been gleaned, the ‘lite’ version has only one stepper motor so it likely has a moving rack so added another spool would take some effort and probably a firmware change.
The standard AMS has 4 motors so one per spool. Maybe a better question would be can a 3 spool DIY AMS be substituted in for the 4 spool standard model.
I meant, how easy it is to disconnect the Lite accessory with two spools in it, then use a 3rd spool of filament as one normally would, then after, reconnect the Lite accessory, restoring access to the two spools in it.
Ah, so how easy to go back and forth between the lite AMS and the stock input method.
Will have to see but I’d guess it’ll be a PTFE tube swap or at least move one end from the AMS to the side. Guessing that with the 3D printed lift spacer it’ll be easier.
And there has been an announcement of a “CC2” w/ 4 lane “Filament Switching System” and the spools hanging out on the side (apparently the rollers have electronics in them?)
My suspicion is that there will be three separate products (well, 4 if one counts the original CC):
Elegoo Filament Switching system — in two versions, one with a heater, and a second “lite” version without heater (these twain matching the firmware leak)
CC2 w/ integrated filament switching — which is similar to the functionality of the “lite” version without heater
In order to get the best option one will need to purchase a stand-alone printer, and the add-on high-end switching system — but for new buyers who want a more affordable option, the CC2 would afford an affordable buy-in for four lanes/colours, but I suspect that the pricing will be such that the lite FSS + printer will be a bit less expensive.
For my part, I’m probably going to buy one and dedicate it to printing PLA — my current CC will be used for PETG, and I’ll buy the add-on Filament Switching System w/ heater once I see a need to print that in multiple colours.
