Unboxing Performance: Artillery Side X2 Review – The Great Value of Large Machines?
The FDM 3D printer market is booming in value proposition. For many enthusiasts and advanced amateurs, finding a balanced machine can balance the number, functionality and price. Enter the Artillery Side X2. Building on the foundations of its popular predecessor (X1), the X2 promises refined performance and upgrades to bridge the gap between entry-level and high-end desktop 3D printing. But can it be delivered? We propose it through its pace.
First impression and quality building
Disassemblying the side wall X2 reveals a substantial machine. Its integrated design means the smallest components are needed – mainly connecting gantry brackets, flat knobs (pre-installed, but loose in the store), spool brackets and contact touch screen. The build quality feels solid. The sturdy aluminum frame and good electronics housing convey a durable sensibility beyond its price point.
The key visual upgrades on X1 are integrated Steel plate magnetic flexible building board. This immediately solves common mod users applied to X1 and provides a smooth surface for excellent adhesion and easy hair removal that detachment while cooling. Full-size touch screen (4.3") Installing directly on the frame is responsive and clear, with a significant improvement in the user interface experience compared to smaller or lower resolution screens.
Key Function Drive Performance
- Main direct drive: Titan Aeronautics cloning extruder: At the heart of the X2 is its direct drive system with a twin-gear extruder modeled with an E3D Titan Aero. This design provides excellent control over flexible filaments such as TPUs, minimizes recycling distances (possibly reduces seriality), and generally handles multiple materials more reliably than the Bowden Tube Tube setup that is common at this price. Although artillery is not the absolute lightest, it has greatly alleviated the problem of inertia.
- Spacious build volume (300x300x400mm): This volume can be said to be the Star function of X2. The spongy 300x300x400mm build-up space can be used to produce larger functional parts, fewer parts or batches of cosplay props or at the same time smaller parts – most competitors are unmatched in their stands.
- Upgraded dual Z-swrews: Two synchronous Z-axis lead screws driven by the stepper motor ensure that the gantry remains stable and horizontal throughout the build height. This is essential for maintaining consistent layer quality, especially on tall prints, and is an important advantage over single-screw designs that are prone to gantry dragons.
- Silent motherboard and TMC2209 stepping driver: Artillery equipped the X2’s silent motherboard V1.5, which is characterized by the TMC2209 driver running in standalone mode. The result is an impressive quiet operation – fans (especially hot typhoon fans) are often the loudest component of the printing process.
- Convenient features:
- Filigree jumper sensor: Printing will automatically pause when the filament is used up, causing the spool to be printed while changing.
- Automatic bed correction (capacitor sensor): Capacitive sensors significantly simplify the horizontal process of the initial bed. However…
- Manual calibration knob: Crucially, x2 retain Manually level the knob. This mixing method is wise: use an ABL grid for compensation, but always get In trouble (Physical Level) First of all, be as close to perfect as possible to achieve a truly reliable adhesion and consistency first layer. Don’t rely solely on ABL compensation to cause bad flow beds, it has limitations.
- Integrated Cable Management: Clean the settings and reduce the risk of obstacles.
Print performance: Test it
Overall, the X2 offers consistent high-quality prints, much higher than its weight category:
- Printing quality: With optimal calibration (gramm, ESTEPS, flow rate), precision printing competitors’ more expensive machines. The finishes are usually very good, the layering is consistent, and details such as overhangs and bridges can handle the expected benchmarks well. Dimensional accuracy is beneficial to functional parts.
- Material flexibility: The direct drive shines here. PLA perfect printing. When dialing in, the PET is firm and consistent. The TPU (Shore 95a is well tested) prints reliably with minimal adjustment. Due to the greater open design and draft sensitivity, ABS and ASA can be achieved through fencing. Don’t expect effortless engineering wire without modifications, but the core system has capabilities.
- speed: The X2 moves confidently at standard speed (50-80mm/s). Although technically capable of higher per specification (100 mm/s), a quality trade-off that exceeds the standard speed is expected – it is more reliable than the original speed demon state, with quality output. If pushing limits, the acceleration settings require conservative adjustments to Klipper.
- Bed adhesion: The magnetic PEI spring steel plate is very good. PLA and PETG are very good when hot and will be released easily once cooled. It is recommended to occasionally appear glue sticks or Magigoo for PETG or tricky materials. Grid is key – ABL will not repair the lattice of a severely twisted bed.
Disadvantages and considerations
- ABL Reality Check: Capacitive sensors work, but do it well. read "Inconsistent" Online reports are common. Ensure that the bed heating element is fully heated before detection return Manually fix it to reliable performance. Do not consider ABL as a complete alternative for mechanical upgrades.
- Noise overview: The grassland is quiet, but high speed Axial fan (hot table and motherboard) It will inevitably be loud. This is typical for many stock printers. Reducing noise significantly requires replacing these fans.
- Resonance/Ringing: At higher speeds or accelerations, some ghost/ringtones may appear in sharp corners. Damping feet or moving the machine to a more stable surface helps. Firmware tuning (input molding supported by Klipper firmware upgrades) fixes it almost perfectly, but involves technical knowledge.
- Size and Strength: Over 30 kg, the size is around 60x60x80cm, ensuring you have enough solid space. The bed heater draws important functions on startup (~800W surge).
Verdict: Who is the artillery of Artillery X2?
The artillery side X2 in the large FDM market remains an excellent value proposition. Its huge build volume, powerful direct drive, quiet TMC2209 driver, dual Z motor, and practical features such as ABL and filament jump detection are eye-catching at its price.
Is this perfect? no. While a popular feature, ABL requires understanding of its limitations and commitment to manual blocking. The fans are noisy. The need to achieve its maximum speed potential is careful adjustment. It requires space and a solid surface.
in conclusion
For manufacturers looking for an affordable large printing portal without sacrificing core printing quality and material flexibility, the Artillery Side X2 is a Top competitors, highly recommended. It provides excellent features for its price point. While enthusiasts will still find something upgraded (fans, firmware), stock machines offer a strong, reliable and high-performance foundation "Use out of the box" This just makes the job very well done. It makes large-scale desktop FDM printing efficiently democratic.
Extended? When desktop FDM reaches its limits – think
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Sidewinder X2: FAQ (FAQ)
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Q: Is the artillery side X2 easy to assemble?
- one: Yes! Minimal components are required – mainly connecting gantry brackets, flat knobs (ship separation), arm bracket and inserting touch screen. Most users get up and running in 20-30 minutes. Includes full instructions.
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Q: Does automatic bed leveling (ABL) mean I never have to upgrade manually?
- A: No, this is very important. ABL (capacitor sensor) compensation Secondary Inconsistent back You have Manually entangle it (For) the bed as accurately as possible to use the physical knob below. Relying on ABL alone, especially on poor flow beds, can lead to adhesion and first layer problems. Think of ABL as a fine-tuning manual.
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Q: How noisy is the side wall X2?
- one: The stepper motor is very quiet thanks to the TMC2209 driver. However, the axial fans in stock (especially hot typhoon fans) are large. Fan noise is the main sound during operation. Replacing them with quieter fans such as Noctua is a very common modification to noise-sensitive environments.
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Q: What material can be reliably printed?
- one: Direct drive extruders are excellent in flexible filaments such as PLA, PETG and TPU. It can handle ABS and ASA, but these materials usually require packaging (not included) due to warping risks and smoke. More advanced materials (nylon, PC, composites) may require increased heat temperature, improved cooling or housing, thus exceeding stock functions without any modifications.
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Q: Is the build board really easy to use?
- one: Magnetic PEI-coated spring steel plates are the main highlight. When heated, the parts adhere strongly (PLA is 60c, ~80c PETG), which will usually release once and completely cool. It provides a smooth surface that requires minimal surface preparation (cleaned with IPA).
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Q: Do you need dual Z exercise?
- one: For large machines like this (400mm Z-Height), dual Z motorcycles are very beneficial. They provide critical stability for heavy duty X-axis gantry, prevent sagging on the unsupported side (common in single-helical designs) and ensure consistent layer quality throughout the build volume.
- Q: Does Klipper firmware support?
- one: Yes! Sidewinder X2 has a very active Klipper community. The flashing Klipper firmware unlocks advanced features such as input shaping (significantly lowering resonance/ghost) and pressure increase (improving angle clarity and extrusion control), which significantly improves the print quality and speed potential of tech-savvy users. The stock firmware is based on marlin.

