Elegoo Orange Storm Giga Review: Elegoo’s Huge 3D Printer

In the world of 3D printing, size often counts. Which brings us to the Elegoo Orange Storm Giga, a massive printer changing the game in terms of big-time 3D printing. The massive bed of the 3D Printer, which has a huge print volume (800 x 800 x 1000 mm), making it one of the biggest consumer 3D printers on the market. After using a few Elegoo 3D printers, I was excited to get my hands on this beast and see what it could do.

Unboxing and First Impressions

I can assure you, when they say a huge 3D printer — it is really huge. The Elegoo Orange Storm Giga arrived via freight shipping, reminiscent of how you’d receive a large appliance. I received two huge palletized boxes, each weighing 300 lbs and placed right at the doorstep. That said, if you are an apartment dweller or have limited space in your home, then maybe this beast of a cooker is not right for you.

Unboxing was an adventure in itself. The packaging is well-designed, with components safely nestled in polyethylene foam. The printer comes in four main assemblies: the base, left and right vertical guides, and the gantry. The frame is primarily built from 30×30 mm aluminum extrusion, which felt surprisingly solid given the price point.

Assembly and Setup

Setting up the Elegoo Orange Storm Giga is no small feat. It’s not a plug-and-play experience like some smaller Elegoo 3D printers. The assembly process is relatively straightforward, but it’s time-consuming and definitely a two-person job. I’d recommend setting aside a good chunk of time and maybe bribing a friend with pizza to help out.

The z-axis joins with the base using M6 bolts, and small corner brackets provide some support. However, I couldn’t help but think that some additional diagonal bracing would be beneficial, especially for those tall prints that really push the z-axis to its limits.

One thing I appreciated was the pre-routed wires in the drag chains, which simplified the setup process considerably. The extruder installation was also relatively easy, though I did have some concerns about its capabilities (more on that later).

Pros & Cons

The Bed: A Tale of Four Quarters

The Elegoo Orange Storm Giga features a unique bed design, divided into four modular sections. It’s an interesting choice, likely made to keep costs down. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the transition between sheets was minimal, barely noticeable in the final prints.

Bed leveling, however, is a manual process. After some initial probing and adjustments, I managed to get the maximum deviation down to 0.33 mm. Not too shabby for such a large surface, but it did take some patience.

The Extruder: Power vs. Practicality

Now, let’s talk about the heart of this huge 3D printer: the extruder. The stock extruder on the Orange Storm Giga has a maximum volumetric flow rate of 30 mm³/s. That’s not exactly a speed record for a printer this physically small.

The printer comes with a range of nozzle sizes – 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 mm. As big as it is, though the 1 mm nozzle really does feel a little small for something this large. I couldn’t help but think that an upgrade to support larger nozzles and 3 mm filament might be necessary for those looking to print large, solid models without spending an eternity waiting.

One quirk that might irk some users is the reliance on proprietary nozzles. Third-party options are a no-go, which limits your choices and potentially increases long-term costs.

Speed and Performance

Elegoo advertises a maximum print speed of 300 mm/s for the Orange Storm Giga, with a recommended speed of 150 mm/s. In practice, I found that pushing the speeds too high led to some quality issues, particularly with taller prints.

The configuration file sets the maximum speed at 500 mm/s and the acceleration at 5,000 mm/s². However, vibration becomes significant at the top of the z-axis, leading to ghosting and layer shifts in the final print. It’s a reminder that with great size comes great responsibility – to print at reasonable speeds.

First Print: The Dragon Awakens

For my first test print, I decided to go big or go home. I scaled up an articulating dragon model to really push this huge 3D printer to its limits. Using the provided PLA+ filament, I set the Elegoo Orange Storm Giga to work.

The slicer estimated a print time of 46 hours, but in reality, it took a whopping 63 hours to complete. This discrepancy was largely due to slow travel speeds between print moves. It was a test of patience, but also a testament to the printer’s ability to handle long, uninterrupted print jobs.

The final result was… mostly satisfactory. The print quality was decent, with only one noticeable flaw – a layer shift caused by a filament change. For such a large print on such a huge 3D printer, I was impressed by the overall consistency.

Print Quality

Over the course of several weeks, I put the Elegoo Orange Storm Giga through its paces with a variety of prints. The results were a mixed bag, but generally positive considering the printer’s size and price point.

Large, hollow models came out beautifully. The printer excels at creating big, decorative pieces that would be impossible on smaller machines. However, when it came to large, solid models, the limitations of the stock extruder became apparent. The print times were often excessively long, and the quality could be inconsistent.

One area where the Orange Storm Giga really shines is in its ability to print multiple objects simultaneously. The huge build volume allows you to queue up several prints at once, which can be a real time-saver if you’re producing multiple items.

Specifications Chart

Feature	Specification
Build Volume	800 x 800 x 1000 mm
Max Print Speed	300 mm/s (advertised)
Recommended Print Speed	150 mm/s
Nozzle Sizes	0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 mm
Heated Bed	Yes, 4 independent zones
Max Bed Temperature	90°C
Firmware	Klipper
Filament Diameter	1.75 mm
Connectivity	USB, Wi-Fi
Display	7-inch portable touchscreen
Dimensions	Approx. 1000 x 1000 x 1200 mm
Weight	Approx. 300 lbs (136 kg)

Reliability: A Work in Progress

As with many huge 3d printers, reliability can be an issue with the Orange Storm Giga. I experienced a few random print stoppages and occasional errors during longer print jobs. There is probably something related to the printer’s software in some of these issues, while others are likely a result of trying to keep stable performance over such as large build volume.

One good point is that Elegoo has been updating firmware to resolve some of these issues and has responded positively on user feedback. Of course, like all shiny new toys, use by early adopters may require some troubleshooting and tweaking.

Special Features: More Than Just Size

While the Elegoo Orange Storm Giga’s claim to fame is undoubtedly its size, it does pack a few other interesting features:

1. Multi-Nozzle Printing: The printer supports up to four printheads on the X-axis, allowing for simultaneous printing of multiple objects or multi-color printing.
2. Efficient Heated Bed: The bed is divided into four independent 410 x 410 mm PEI magnetic platforms. These can be heated simultaneously or independently, which is great for energy efficiency when you’re not using the full build volume.
3. Klipper Firmware: The use of Klipper firmware allows for potentially higher print speeds and better quality, though as mentioned earlier, you’ll need to balance speed with quality on such a large machine.
4. Portable 7-inch Screen: A nice touch for a printer of this size, allowing you to control the machine without being tethered to a computer.

Practical Considerations: Is Bigger Always Better?

The Elegoo Orange Storm Giga is undeniably impressive, but it’s not for everyone. Here are some practical considerations:

Space: This huge 3D printer requires a dedicated space. It’s not something you can easily move or tuck away when not in use.

Cost of Materials: Printing large objects requires a lot of filament. Be prepared for your material costs to scale up along with your print size.

Print Times: Large prints can take days to complete. If you’re not patient, this might not be the printer for you.

Energy Consumption: The large heated bed, while efficient, still consumes a significant amount of power when fully heated.

Noise: While not excessively loud, the printer does produce a consistent hum during operation. Given the long print times, this could be a concern if you’re sensitive to noise.

Who Is This Printer For?

The Elegoo Orange Storm Giga is a niche product, but for the right user, it could be a game-changer. It’s ideal for:

• Cosplayers and prop makers who need to create large, detailed pieces
• Engineers and designers who want to prototype large-scale objects
• Artists working on large sculptural pieces
• Small businesses producing oversized 3D printed products

Even though this big 3D printer is likely not practical for most casual or newbie first-time 3D printers. Elegoo has several smaller, lighter devices that may work for beginners or others who do not have a huge machine space.

Conclusion: A Giant Leap for 3D Printing

Elegoo Orange Storm Giga is an impressive first foray into the exciting realm of big resin 3D printing. With an MSRP of $2,500, it provides a huge printing area. It comes with its own drawbacks and limitations, but it provides opportunities that were not at all possible for a major part of 3D printing enthusiasts prior to the announcement.

Is it perfect? No. The stock extruder feels underpowered for the printer’s size, and there are some reliability issues to iron out. But for those who need to print big and are willing to put in the time to master this machine, the Orange Storm Giga offers tremendous value.

As with all Elegoo 3D printers, the company’s commitment to customer support and continuous improvement is a significant plus. With a 1-year warranty, 14-day return policy, and lifetime support, Elegoo stands behind their product.

In the end, the Elegoo Orange Storm Giga is a specialized tool for those with specific large-scale printing needs. It’s not for everyone, but for the right user, it could be a transformative addition to their creative or professional toolkit. Just be sure to have the real estate, patience and projects that allow this 3D printing giant to spread its wings.

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