Monoprice MP Select Mini 3D Printer Photo Gallery

I use 3D printing for various purposes in almost all of my projects. In some projects, 3D printing is useful for creating proof-of-concept prototypes. For other projects, 3D printed parts comprise major parts of the finished project itself. In other projects, 3D printing can be used as an actual manufacturing technology.

For a long time, I have been using a crude, MacGyvered-together combination of a Tevo Tarantula 3D printer and random, un-branded kits. This has been an acceptable solution for a while. I typically printed rough prototypes with this custom printer, and turned to 3D Hubs for getting finished parts made. However, when the heater cartridge on my printer failed, I decided to shop around for an entirely new 3D printer rather than continuing to scrape together repairs for my current printer.

I didn’t want to invest a giant sum of money on a printer. I still planned to use it mainly for proof-of-concept prototypes for new products, and also for personal side projects. That said, I was looking for a reliable printer that could print the parts I need without too much fussing or supervision.

After quite a bit of research, I decided to purchase the Monoprice MP Select Mini 3D printer. I have been using this printer for a few weeks now, and I plan to write a series of posts about my experience so far (I am very pleased so far). This post contains a photo gallery of the printer that I hope provides some new views of the product not pictured elsewhere.

Packaging

The Monoprice MP Select Mini comes well-packaged securely in Styrofoam.

Extruder packaging

Display packaging

Extruder packaging 2

X-Axis bearing

Belt tensioner

Extruder fan

Print bed

Bed leveler

Bed leveling is accomplished using an adjustment screw on each corner of the bed.

Screen control knob

One of the surprising features for a 3D printer in this price range, is the LCD screen.

Printer label

Cold end

The Monoprice MP Select Mini uses a fairly basic, but effective, coldend in a Bowden setup.

Power switch

The printer has an on/off switch, something that is often, for some reason, missing on 3D printers.

Case fan

Spool holder attachment

A filament spool holder attaches to the side of the printer.

Z-Axis endstop

The printer uses mechanical endstops on all axes.

Monoprice MP Select Mini

Cold end 2

Extruder

Extruder 2

The extruder uses a single fan to cool both the extruder and the part being printed.

Hot end

The extruder uses a standard cartridge heater rather than a proprietary heating system.

SD card slot

The printer accepts a micro SD card for wireless printing.

Part removal tool

The included scraper is fairly useless, a metal scraper should be one of your first upgrades.

Display

The LCD screen used for control is highly impressive for any printer, and doubly so for one costing less than $200.

Illuminated knob

The screen operates with an illuminated wheel.

Display 2

Movement control

Nozzle

Temperature display

Leveling

Bed leveling is done using the standard slide-paper-under-the-nozzle technique. Fortunately, my printer was perfectly leveled out of the box.

SD card

The printer ships with an SD card containing a sample print and some other useful files.

Filament holder

The printer includes a small sample of filament. You will probably want to purchase a spool along with your printer.

The Monoprice MP Select Mini comes with a micro SD card pre-loaded with a sample 3D printed. This was the first object I had my printer create. The gallery below shows the finished print. This print was produced without any modification to the printer or even any calibration, other than leveling the bed.

Overall, the print turned out beautifully. The model had excellent detail, great layer alignment, good bed adhesion, and decent overhang performance. The raft under the part warped slightly during cooling, but not enough to affect the printed object itself. The Monoprice MP Select Mini is certainly not the fastest printer. The sample print took just under three hours to complete, but it did do a very good job for a printer in the sub-$200 price range.