A Bond Between Father and Son
Leo Zhou is a senior product engineer who has led the development of numerous Creality 3D printers. He not only loves his work but also has a personal goal: to share the joy of 3D printing with his young son.
This goal emerged several years ago. While working on a 3D printer project at home, Leo noticed his son watching with fascination. One day, his son asked, “Dad, can I make things with a 3D printer like you?” It was a moment of realization for Leo: a 3D printer could be more than just an engineering tool; it could also foster a unique bond between parents and children.
Inspired, he set out to create a compact, entry-level 3D printer designed for families, not only serving technical needs but also sparking the creativity of entry users. He named the printer “Creality Hi,” symbolizing a warm greeting to the world of multicolor 3D printing. The name reflects its beginner-friendly design while also implying hi-tech and high performance, promising a smarter and superior experience compared to traditional bed slinger printers.
Challenges in Multicolor 3D Printing
Leo understands that multicolor 3D printing is the key to inspiring the younger generation, including his son. Young creators are drawn to crafting things that are striking, vivid, and exciting. It's essential to provide a user-friendly and affordable solution, making it accessible to everyone without a hefty price tag.
This was more challenging than anticipated. The R&D team encountered significant hurdles, particularly with the multicolor module, namely the Creality Filament System (CFS):
Mixed Colors: Colors are often blended together, leading to unclear prints and messy edges.
Algorithm Issues: The filament-switching algorithm frequently delays or crashes.
These challenges led to mounting frustrations. Some team members even suggested abandoning the multicolor module to focus on other features.
A Bold Solution
At this critical juncture, Alex Chan, the team’s hardware expert with over a decade of experience, proposed an ambitious solution:
Hardware: Integrate a filament cutter controlled by a magnet into the extruder and add eight sensors to monitor filament movement.
Algorithm: Develop a proprietary algorithm to calculate the optimal purge length and embed it into the slicing software.
This solution eliminates the problem of mixed colors and goes a step further by enabling users to print models in up to 16 colors, eliminating the need for painting and post-processing.
However, the problem is that this solution required the team to abandon the existing design and start anew—a time-consuming and risky endeavor. Despite the challenges, Leo stood firmly behind Alex. "I believe in you and our team," he said, “We can’t let the youngster see their creativity limited by our compromises.”
Persistence Behind Success
For the next six months, the team worked tirelessly. Leo refined the hardware late into the night while younger engineers, inspired by his passion, tackled algorithmic challenges. Leo coordinated resources and ensured every effort aligned with their goal.
Though failures were frequent, each brought them closer to a breakthrough. After countless adjustments and tests, the multicolor module finally worked as envisioned:
Precise Colors: The module delivered clean color transitions with crisp model edges.
Reliable Performance: The system handled even complex multicolor tasks with ease.
When the first perfect multicolor model came out, the office erupted in cheers. For Leo, it was the proudest moment of his career.
But there was no time to rest—they aimed to make the printer as intuitive as a smartphone. Here's a glimpse of the features they planned:
95% Pre-Assembled: Assembly takes just 8 minutes. And it includes a fold-away 3.2” touchscreen, pre-attached for convenience.
Effortless Setup: A quick-start guide walks users through essential software setups and calibration. Creality Print offers ready-to-go presets and LAN control, enabling slicing and printing with just a few clicks.
Thoughtful Design: A built-in sensor on the base reads Creality RFID filament details. The printer also supports remote monitoring and control via the Creality Cloud App.
Thanks to smooth development, three months later, the Creality Hi Combo was born—the most user-friendly bed slinger in Creality's lineup.
Creality Hi Combo: A Bridge for Families
The Creality Hi Combo is more than a technological achievement; it embodies the team’s dedication and a vision of creativity shared across generations. It has brought families closer, turning shared interests into cherished memories.
For Leo, the happiest moments are now spent designing and printing creations with his son. Together, they've crafted a variety of exciting items, from STEM projects and Christmas ornaments to pet toys. The experience has brought the family closer, making every moment together truly enjoyable.