As the 3D Printing hobby continues to grow throughout the world, so do the printer options available for beginners. Depending on what your budget is, the 3D Printer options are vast and can be difficult to narrow down. For beginners, a machine’s ease of use is often their first thought with price, available features and build volume coming next.
When I first saw the JGAurora A5S (now the JGMaker A5S), I was happy to see a printer in the $400 range have such a large build volume at 305 x 305 x 320mm. Priced under the Creality CR-10S Pro and similar to the Tronxy X5SA, it’s an intriguing machine. It also holds some interesting features like a filament runout sensor, power failure protection, 32-bit motherboard and a heated glass bed.
I am also pleased to see JGMaker taking the time to improve existing machines as the A5S is a new and improved version of their A5. Even though the features on the A5S are mostly the same as its predecessor, the overall design quality has been improved. By replacing the printed parts previously found on the A5 with injection molded versions, the A5S is better built and more durable. I also like that they moved to a 32-bit mainboard with A5984 stepper motor drivers making for quieter operation. As someone who prints a lot from home, this is something that is really appreciated.
I like the Printer but do think it is better for beginners and might be less intriguing for intermediate or advanced users wishing to upgrade. The design of the printer is somewhat proprietary versus the open source nature of most 3D Printers. The hotend, although E3D like, is a custom inhouse design similar to the firmware. As a tinkerer and maker, this limits what I can or would do with it in the future.
Overall, the “Industrial Design and Elegant Appearance” does feel a bit overstated. The machine is well built, structurally speaking, but is missing some key features that would make it great. I feel like JGMaker would have been better off taking the money spent on the robust metal frame and putting it into features like auto bed leveling/calibration and wireless printing. They also should have utilized an existing all metal hotend versus designing their own inhouse setup. Keep it simple and open source!
Should you buy this 3D Printer?
If you are just looking for an inexpensive, large format machine to be a printing workhorse, this could be it. The print quality with PLA, ABS and PETG is good and the custom firmware, although different, makes for easy navigation and use. If this printer had automatic bed leveling, it would be in a higher class!
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Nice features
- Large build volume
- Priced right
Cons
- Somewhat proprietary
- Awkward stance, takes up a lot of space and is heavy.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Brand: JGMaker
- Type: FDM
- Model: A5S
- Platform: Kingbox
- Nozzle quantity: Single
- Nozzle diameter: 0.4mm
- Max. nozzle temperature: 250℃
- Max. build volume: 305 x 305 x 320mm
- Min. layer thickness: 100 microns
- Offline print: SD card
- LCD Screen: Yes
- Max. print speed: 150mm/s
- Max. bed temperature: 110℃
- Materials: PLA, ABS, PETG, Exotics
- Nozzle diameter: 1.75mm
- Language: English
- File format: G-code, OBJ, STL
- XY-axis positioning accuracy: 0.011mm
- Z-axis positioning accuracy: 0.0025mm
- Voltage: 110-240V
- Working Power: 200W
- System support: Windows 7 / Windows 10 / XP
- Voltage Range: AC 110-220V
- Certificate: CE, FCC, RoHs
PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
- Product weight: 13.5 kg
- Package weight: 15.5 kg
- Product size: 21.1 x 18.9 x 21.38 in (53.60 x 48.00 x 54.30 cm)
- Package size: 25.2 x 23.23 x 10.63 in (64.00 x 59.00 x 27.00 cm)
