AnkerMake M5 - FDM 3D printer

The AnkerMake M5 FDM 3D printer is the debut printer from AnkerMake, characterized by a simplistic design, quick assembly, staggering printing speed, astonishing print quality, and numerous advanced features that guarantee a smooth and efficient 3D printing experience.

Video 1: Introducing the AnkerMake M5 3D printer. Source: AnkerMake.

The AnkerMake M5 3D printer perfectly balances quality and speed at an accessible price, and opens a world of possibilities for users with various degrees of experience across diverse sectors.

Technical information

The AnkerMake M5 FDM 3D printer has a sturdy and stable aluminum alloy chassis, weighs approximately 13 kg, measures 502 x 438 x 470 mm (without filament holder), and provides a build volume of 235 × 235 × 250 mm.

The center of gravity of the AnkerMake M5 is reduced thanks to the increased weight of the base. This is achieved with the help of the integrated die-cast aluminum alloy structure, larger Z-axis cross-section and double Z-axis leadscrew motors. This design stabilizes the printer at high printing speeds and improves printing accuracy by reducing installation errors.

Image 1: The AnkerMake M5 printer. Source: AnkerMake.

The most outstanding feature of the AnkerMake M5 printer is its printing speed that can reach 250 mm/s (acceleration of 2500 mm/s²) thanks to the Power Boost technology. Power Boost optimizes energy with its Y-axis transmission system, powered with a potent stepper motor, double-belt driveshaft, and stabilized-motion algorithm to push out loads of extra power for high-speed printing.

Image 2: The AnkerMake M5 printer can print with a precision of 0.1 mm. Source: AnkerMake.

Even at printing speeds of 250 mm/s, AnkerMake M5 still provides excellent quality and a precision of ±0.1 mm. This staggering printing speeds implies an average 70 % reduction in printing time and an overal agilization of the 3D printing workflow.

AnkerMake M5 is also equipped with two CPUs - a Marlin CPU responsible for routine processing, and an XBurst CPU that controls the intelligent printing features such as the camera and the WiFi connectivity. The cooperation of these two CPUs is in charge of making sure that the 3D print turns out just like the design.

Extruder and printing base

The AnkerMake M5 3D printer is equipped with a redesigned ultra-direct extruder. Shortening the extruder-nozzle distance has led to a considerable reduction in errors and an enhancement in extrusion control. The extrusion tendencies are analyzed with the help of an algorithm fine-tuned with over 2000 tests at the AnkerMake lab.

Image 3: The AnkerMake M4 ultra-direct extruder. Source: AnkerMake.

The ultra-direct extruder featured in the AnkerMake M5 printer has a double hardened steel extruder gear with a higher 9.37 multi-stage gear reduction ratio, putting out 0.8 N·m of torque. The strong twisting puts pressure on the melting chamber to make extrusion faster.

Image 4: AnkerMake M5 prints smooth corners even at high speeds. Source: AnkerMake.

The larger heating block helps raise the nozzle temperature to 200 ºC 1.5 times faster than in other similar 3D printers. Thanks to this efficient thermal performance, filament is smoothly discharged even at very high printing speeds. Two fans that push out 1.3 times the air output volume of other printers at maximum speed, ensuring fast part cooling and reduced stringing.

Image 5: The hotbed and printing surface of the AnkerMake M5 printer. Source: AnkerMake.

The printer comes with a 0.4 mm nozzle but diameters of 0.2 mm, 0.6 mm, and 0.8 mm are also compatible. The printing bed (49-point automatic leveling) of the AnkerMake M5 printer can reach a temperature of 100 ºC and the printing surface is a bendable and scratchproof PEI magnetic steel plate. When combined with the efficient ultra-direct extrusion system, this allows for the 3D printing of materials such as PLA, ABS, PETG and TPU (1.75 mm diamater) with excellent results.

Advanced functions for ease of printing

It is the advanced functions that make the AnkerMake M5 3D printer the powerful and intelligent tool that it is. The printer can detect broken filament, adhesion issues, the so-called "spaghetti mess" or extruder jams, and immediately stop printing and notify the user with the help of an app alert, a blinking LED light and a beeping from the printer. 

Video 2: The 3D print is continually checks for accuracy with respect to the design. Source: AnkerMake.

Furthermore, the powerful XBurst CPU continually compares the 3D printed model to the original design to detect any errors and in case of a power outage, the print will be resumed automatically once the power is back on. To further streamline the 3D printing process, AnkerMake equipped the M5 printer with a built-in 1080 full HD resolution AI camera.

Image 6: The AI camera on the AnkerMake M5 printer. Source: AnkerMake.

This allows the user to track the printing progress with real-time monitoring (up to 720 p), enjoy auto-created timelapse videos in 1080 p quality (and share them with ine click) and a 30 fps frame rate. Furthermore, AnkerMake M5 is equipped with night vision (infrared + LED).

Video 3: The automatically recorded timelapse videos can be shared with one click. Source: AnkerMake.

Thanks to the smart hub design, the user can start, stop and track the printing progress on multiple devices (phone, computer, 4.3-inch color LCD touch screen with night mode) from anywhere and at any time via the AnkerMake App and the AnkerMake slicing software or even Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant (only printing status check). The AnkerMake Slicer and AnkerMake App give complete control and guidance with easy slicing and parameter changes. AnkerMake M5 is also compatible with the Simplify 3D, Ultimaker Cura and PrusaSlicer software.

Image 7: The LCD touch screen on the AnkerMake M5 printer. Source: AnkerMake.

The AnkerMake M5 3D printer is extremely quick and easy to assemble. It comes with a filament holder, a tool box, 150 g of filament and a quick start guide - everything needed to set up the printer and start creating. Numerous resources on assembly, installation, calibration and maintenance can be found on the manufacturer's website and on the AnkerMake YouTube channel.

Applications

The AnkerMake M5 3D printer is a revolutionary printer not only in terms of its printing speed and smart design, but also in terms of the countless intelligent features that make this printer easy to use by professionals as well as hobbyists.

Image 8: Objects 3D printed with the AnkerMake M5 printer. Source: AnkerMake.

The AnkerMake M5 3D printer is perfect for general prototyping and modeling purposes, school projects, teaching institutions or design offices, as well as other environments where a safe, efficient and automatized 3D printer is needed. The high level of connectivity and the built-in AI monitoring allows the user to always know what is going on with the print and share the creations as they happen.