Elegoo Centauri Carbon
⚠️ SAFETY WARNING: The Centauri Carbon uses a heated nozzle (up to 320°C) and heated bed (up to 110°C). Never reach inside during operation. Allow parts to cool before removing.
⚠️ Do not open the front door or top cover during a print, especially with ABS/ASA — this releases fumes and disrupts chamber temperature.
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon is a fully enclosed CoreXY 3D printer and one of GRM's primary 3D printing workhorses (the shop runs five Gen 1 units). It ships nearly ready to print with full auto-calibration, a hardened steel nozzle, and an enclosed chamber, making it capable of everything from basic PLA to carbon-fiber-reinforced and engineering-grade filaments.
Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Build Volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Motion System | CoreXY |
| Nozzle | 0.4 mm, brass/hardened steel (60+ HRC) |
| Max Nozzle Temp | 320°C |
| Max Bed Temp | 110°C |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s |
| Acceleration | 20,000 mm/s² |
| Extruder | Hardened steel dual-gear, 5.2 reduction ratio |
| Build Plate | Dual-sided flexible PEI (textured) / PLA cool plate (smooth) |
| Enclosure | Fully enclosed, ventilated with air filter |
| Leveling | Fully automatic (121-point, 4-strain-gauge) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (dual-band LAN), USB drive |
Overview
The Centauri Carbon is GRM's everyday high-performance FDM printer. The hardened steel nozzle and extruder handle abrasive filaments (carbon/glass-fiber) with no upgrade needed, and the enclosed chamber allows warp-prone materials like ABS and ASA. Note that it does not have an active chamber heater, so extremely temperature-sensitive materials like polycarbonate can be inconsistent despite the 320°C nozzle ceiling. A built-in chamber camera enables remote monitoring.
Software
Prepare files using Elegoo Slicer (recommended, based on Orca) or Orca Slicer, both of which include tuned profiles for the Centauri Carbon.
- Elegoo Slicer Download
- See Slicer Basics for GRM's general slicing guidance.
Getting files to the printer — two methods:
| Method | How |
|---|---|
| Remote send (Wi-Fi/LAN) | In Elegoo Slicer, slice your file, then send the job directly to the printer over the network. The job appears on the printer's touchscreen for you to start. |
| USB drive | Export the sliced file to the included USB drive, plug it into the printer, and select the file from the touchscreen. |
Startup
- Power on the printer using the switch at the rear.
- Load filament into the side-mounted spool holder; the run-out sensor will detect it.
- Send your sliced file via remote send or USB drive (see Software above).
- On the touchscreen, select the print job.
- The printer runs auto-leveling and calibration before starting.
- Monitor the first layer to confirm good bed adhesion.
Materials
| Material | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PLA / PLA+ | ✅ | Use the smooth PLA cool plate; open the door for better airflow. |
| PETG | ✅ | Good layer adhesion; use textured PEI side. |
| ABS / ASA | ✅ | Keep door and top cover closed for chamber heat; ensure ventilation. |
| TPU | ✅ | Dual-gear extruder handles flexibles well; print slower. |
| PLA-CF / PETG-CF / other CF | ✅ | Hardened nozzle is standard — no upgrade needed. |
| PA / PC (nylon, polycarbonate) | ⚠️ | Possible within thermal limits, but no active chamber heater — results can be inconsistent. |
| Filaments with unknown/no temp data | ❌ | Do not print without verified temperature settings. |
Safety
- Do not open the enclosure during a print, especially with ABS/ASA — fumes and heat loss can occur.
- Never touch the nozzle or bed during or immediately after printing.
- Ensure the room is ventilated when printing high-temp materials — the built-in filter helps but does not replace ventilation.
- Keep the automated filament cutter and purge area clear of hands during operation.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Print not sticking | Clean the plate with IPA; re-run auto leveling; confirm you're using the correct plate side for the material. |
| Remote send fails | Confirm the printer and computer are on the same network; check Wi-Fi/LAN binding in the slicer. |
| Filament not loading | Cleanly cut the filament end; confirm the run-out sensor registers it; reload the spool. |
| Clogs/under-extrusion | Verify nozzle temp matches material; use the included unclogging pin; check for heat creep on long high-temp prints. |
| USB not reading | Reformat drive to FAT32; confirm files exported correctly from the slicer. |
| PC/nylon warping | Expected without an active chamber heater; use adhesion aids and keep the enclosure sealed. |
