At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), a new KOKONI SOTA 3D printer was unveiled and is being hailed as the fastest consumer-grade printer on the market. The company behind KOKONI, Moxin Technology, debuted its first consumer-grade 3D printer, the KOKONI EC1, in April 2022. It had huge success on Indiegogo, achieving 107% of its crowdfunding targets on the platform and raising more than 6 million yuan (US$885,000) through Xiaomi Crowdfunding. Before all backers received their shipments of the first model, the company also launched its second consumer-grade 3D printer that “pushes the boundaries in speed, accuracy, and stability,” making 3D printing “accessible and achievable for all,” according to the company. The KOKONI SOTA is expected to be launched on Kickstarter soon, but is it worth your money?
High-speed printing technology
This cutting-edge printer is said to be the fastest consumer-grade printer on the market, with a maximum printing speed of 600mm/s and acceleration of 21,000mm/s^2. This is over 10 times faster than conventional consumer-level 3D printers. This means a benchy model, which is known as a small 3D model specifically designed for testing and benchmarking 3D printers, can be completed in just 10 minutes.
Upside-down design for ultra stability
Compared to most 3D printers, KOKONI SOTA has a unique inverted design, providing exceptional stability and reducing vibrations. This allows it to operate at high speeds while producing low noise levels. Thanks to its upside-down design and full-metal support, the printer remains stable even during long printing sessions.
Optical radar and AI for maximum accuracy
The 3D printer also features an advanced Optical Radar for precision and accuracy, as well as a close-loop motor controller that monitors the real-time position and makes adjustments for errors. The printer’s AI system closely monitors the entire printing process and can address any issues immediately, including Spaghetti Detection, Breakage Detection, and low filament alerts, and it has a resume-printing function.
User-friendly design for effortless printing
The KOKONI SOTA is also designed to be user-friendly, with an easy-to-use interface that allows users to quickly and easily set up and start printing. The product has various features and capabilities that make it user-friendly, including no assembly or the ability to print remotely with WiFi and mobile app-based modeling, and AI-powered 3D modeling software for creating models with ease. Additionally, it offers a quiet printing experience, and a constantly updated template library with thousands of customizable models.
Should you buy a KOKONI SOTA 3D printer?
KOKONI SOTA brings a lot of promise in the world of consumer-grade 3D printing, offering speeds and features that have previously been available only in industrial-grade printers. However, it is important to be cautious when considering crowdfunded projects, as they may end up not meeting expectations or get delayed for months or even years. Examples of highly funded crowdfunding projects include Zano drones, which were able to create a few prototypes but failed to deliver to most backers. Then there’s the Kreyos smartwatch which was successfully delivered to all backers but lacked some promised features. Another Indiegogo project Superstrata 3D-printed carbon bike, received negative feedback on social media due to poor build quality, lacking paint job and finishing. Thus, having a prototype, and successful production or shipment, is not always equal to a good end-product.
KOKONI EC1 3D printer has already finished its funding period and is now in the production and shipment phase, so potential buyers might want to wait for feedback from early adopters before making a decision to consider KOKONI SOTA 3D printer.
