I3 Metal Motion

The I3 Metal Motion is an FDM 3D printer from eMotionTech with a 200 x 200 x 200 mm build volume.

Specifications

The eMotionTech I3 Metal Motion is a heavy-duty desktop 3D printer manufactured by the French company eMotionTech. It is based on the classical Prusa i3 Cartesian architecture but is completely redesigned to offer industrial-grade rigidity and durability. The machine is distinguished by its heavy, laser-cut steel frame, which effectively eliminates structural twisting and vibrations common in cheaper acrylic or wooden frame printers of the same era.

• Build volume: Standard size of 200 × 200 × 200 mm.

Calibration

The I3 Metal Motion is physically robust, but its accuracy depends on precise calibration. Follow these 8 steps to calibrate the machine properly:

• Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) Bed Cleaning: Clean the print surface with 99% IPA before every print to remove fingerprints, oils, and glue residues.
• Expected result: A pristine, grease-free surface that maximizes filament adhesion and prevents early print detachment.

Common defects

• Hardware defects and mechanical weaknesses
• Symptom: Layer shifting on the X or Y axis during print jobs.
• Cause: Loose grub screws on the stepper motor belt pulleys or insufficient belt tension.
• Solution: Tighten the pulley grub screws (apply a dab of blue Loctite threadlocker) and adjust the belt tensioners.
• Symptom: Flat bulging base on printed parts (Elephant's foot).

What it is used for

Best use-cases:

• STEM Education and DIY Workshops: The open steel design is perfect for demonstrating the mechanical principles of FDM printing (belts, motors, electronics, linear motion).
• PLA and PETG Functional Parts: Excellent for printing dimensionally accurate mechanical parts (gears, brackets, housings) due to the rigid frame structure.