Modix Big-120X V3: Review The Specs

Israel-based 3D printer manufacturer Modix has undoubtedly remained true to its "print big" motto.After unveiling the Modix Big-60 3D printer in 2017, it produced a follow-up V2 and found itself in good company among other large-format 3D printers. The company’s latest big venture is its V3, a further enhancement of its Big-60 3D printer with a plethora of new features.Compared to the last iteration of the Modix Big-60, the manufacturer has upgraded many aspects of its flagship 3D printer. First and foremost, it’s bumped up the print volume to 600 x 600 x 660 mm.It still comes packaged as a DIY kit, so users will have to spend a fair amount of time putting this gargantuan machine together. Nonetheless, there are a lot of reasons to be intrigued by the new and improved Modix Big-60 V3.Starting at $3,700, the Modix Big-60 V3 is relatively affordable considering the build volume and high-grade components. In fact, one might say that this 3D printer seems too good to be true. But is it?Let’s review the features and specs to figure out whether or not this machine can become the next big thing in large-format 3D printing.FeaturesThe Modix Big-60 V3 is a large volume professional 3D printer, offering a 600 x 600 x 660 mm build volume. Right of the bat, this is the most noteworthy upgrade, enhancing the print volume by 10% compared to its predecessors.But what else does the machine have in store? Read on as we review its features.Improved DesignThe Modix Big-60 V3 with enclosure (Source: Modix)The Modix Big-60 V3 comes in its typical black-with-red-trimmings design. It has a sturdy chassis and a frame made of 40 x 40 mm T-slot aluminum profiles combined with powder-coated laser-cut aluminum brackets and joints.It also has Hiwin MGW motion rails for axes, which provide a wider rail and carriage than the previously used MGN rails, and should give higher accuracy and smoother operation.The new HIWIN MGW rails (bottom) compared to the formerly used MGN rails (Source: Modix)The Big-60 does also features four ball-screws on the Z-axis, instead of the previously used three. Each has a precision lead screw, allowing them to move the print bed at a 0.5-micron layer height.According to the manufacturer, cable management also got an improvement. For example, the print head wiring and drag chain now rest on the Y-axis, and the Big-60 V3 is equipped with professional signal cables by the industry-leading, German-based IGUS company.Lastly, the optional enclosure is composed of 3 mm aluminum composite panels (ACP) and polycarbonate sheets for the doors. This should provide better thermal and noise insulation compared to the acrylic sheets the V2 used. The aluminum casing can even be drilled into for any custom fixture or add-on, and the revamped top lid allows for easier access to the print bed.New ExtruderThe Modix Big-60 V3 features an E3D Aero direct extruder and a V6 Volcano hot end.Modix redesigned the print head to be compatible with the E3D Aero, as it features a much larger but shorter heat sink as well as a 40 mm cooling fan. This should reduce potential clogs.By default, the Modix Big-60 V3 comes with a single extrusion setup. The printer can also be equipped with an improved dual print head for multi-material printing.The optional dual print head setup (Source: Modix)The V6 Volcano hot end does come with interchangeable nozzles, and Modix includes instructions to switch from the default 1.75 mm filament to the 3 mm. According to the manufacturer, you can also change the thermistor to reach temperatures up to 500°C instead of the default 285 °C. This opens up the possibilities of printing with industrial-grade materials that require a high melting point.With this functioning combo of the E3D Volcano hot end and Titan Aero extruder, the Modix Big-60 V3 can process PLA, PETG, PVA, ABS, ASA, PC, nylon, TPU, carbon composite and other exotic materials. The company says it’s fully compatible with nearly any type of third-party filament, in part because this printer comes with a wide range of different nozzle diameter sizes, including 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 mm.Dual Heat ZonesThe automatic bed leveling measures 100 probing points (Source: modix big meter) Modix uses a 6.35 mm thick Mic6 cast aluminum plate from the US-based manufacturer Alcoa, which is capable of heating up to 120°C.Just like the V2, the printer offers fully automatic bed leveling that utilizes 100 probing points, a major upgrade over the nine-point probing system featured in the first iteration. What’s new, though, is the printer’s dual heating zones. For smaller print jobs, the inner zone measures 200 x 200 mm and should result in better power consumption.And, with a PEI print surface, adhesion and removal of objects should pose no problems to the user.Touchscreen InterfaceThe new touchscreen displaying real-time data (Source: Modix)According to Modix, V3 is shipped with Duet3D, a 32-bit electronics board to offer features like resume print function in case of a power outage, as well as a pause print function in case of a thermal runaway.The Modix Big-60 V3 printer comes with an upgraded 7-inch touchscreen for easy operation and to show satus data in real-time. With the WiFi module, you can operate it remotely with a PC or even a mobile phone.(Relatively) Easy AssemblyThe Modix Big-60 V3 comes as a DIY kit and it’s said to be redesigned from the ground up for a faster and easier assembly. This includes symmetrical parts, smaller metal brackets, and a more intuitive assembly of the print head.Additionally, Modix revamped and simplified its user manual, including over 80 videos guiding you through the assembly process step by step.Further FeaturesAdditional features include:* Draft mode: Print with 100 mm/s instead of the standard 60 mm/s* Open source RepRap firmware* Filament runout sensor* Trinamic TMC2660 drivers: Quieter and more durable drivers* Optional onboard cameraTech SpecsImage of Modix Big-60 V3: Review the Specs: Tech SpecsGENERAL SPECIFICATIONS* Technology: Fused deposition modeling (FDM)* Year: 2020* Assembly: DIY kit* Mechanical arrangement: Core-XY* Manufacturer: Modix3D PRINTER PROPERTIES* Build volume: 600 x 600 x 660 mm* Feeder system: Direct drive* Print head: Single nozzle* Nozzle size: 0.4 mm, interchangeable* Max. hot end temperature: 285℃ (up to 500°C with pt-100 upgrade)* Max. heated bed temperature: 120 ℃* Print bed material: PEI* Frame: Aluminum* Bed leveling: Automatic* Connectivity: SD card, USB, WiFi* Print recovery: Yes* Filament sensor: Yes* Camera: OptionalMATERIALS* Filament diameter: 1.75 mm* Third-party filament: Yes* Filament materials: Consumer materials (PLA, ABS, PETG, flexibles), carbon fiber, compositesSOFTWARE* Recommended slicer: Cura, Simplify3D, Slic3r* Operating system: Windows, Mac OSX, Linux* File types: STL, OBJDIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT* Frame dimensions: 900 x 950 x 975 mm* Weight: 120 kg (including enclosure)