These are significantly more expensive than generic filament bought from a hobbyist retailer, which was a big con for us when assessing the Cube 3D printer. ABS and PLA are the only supported materials, and the Cube only works with 3D Systems proprietary filament Smart Cartridges that come in a selection of twenty-three colors. The Cube sports dual extruders for simultaneous double color or material prints housed in out of sight purpose-built plastic casings that sit inside the vertical outer side panels. It takes some practice to apply the appropriate amount, and you need to wait for it to dry enough or suffer the consequences as we did. Every print job requires the application of Cube Glue, a weak adhesive produced by 3D Systems that assists the printed filament to solidly in place on the build plate. The PrintPad is removable for easy cleaning in hot soapy water. The print head ensures the X-axis, while the PrintPad (read build plate) manages the Y and Z axis. With both 0.2mm and 0.07mm (200 and 70 microns) print resolution layers, the Cube offers a degree of versatility, but not enough to cater for a large variety of print projects. The print area is a modest 152x152x152mm, providing enough working space for most small scale projects, especially for beginners trying their hand at 3D printing for the first time. The self-contained shell means keeping track of diverse components isn’t a factor.

So much so that the Cube is very much at home sitting alongside other home office devices rather than confined to a workshop. The sleek white exterior panels are miles away from the functional, bare-bones design of plenty rival models.

Aesthetically pleasing, compact, classy, and dare we say, beautiful, it resembles a product distributed by Apple, where functionality and ease of use are as much a consideration as design. Straight out of the box, the Cube is a piece of engineering bliss. With simplicity in mind, it aims to introduce first-timers to the world of 3D printing without the oft-complicated installation of entry-level DIY models. An all-in-one cube casing houses the printer, hence the name, and is advertised primarily as a user-friendly personal desktop model. 3D Systems is onto its third generation of the Cube with all the enhancements this encompasses.

Cube pro 3d printer review