[KwartzLab] 3D printers: recommendations?

[doug moen]

I would consider 3 models:
- the replicator, for the two heads. Haven't seen it, but makerbot has a
good history and reputation. Two heads means either 2 colour output, or
removable support material (which enables prints that are otherwise
difficult or impossible). I still want to know if there is a problem with
drooling when you use two heads (anybody?)
- the ultimaker, for very high resolution and super fast printing (which is
required at those resolutions). The high res print photos are amazing.
 HackLab.TO has one, and I'm planning to check it out. About $2000 all in.
- the printrbot, which is a good quality entry level printer at a really
good price. A friend in Toronto has one on order, I'm planning to check it
out. I've seen photos of some pretty good looking prints from it (it can do
100 microns on the Z axis, but is painfully slow at that resolution). The
smaller model is $550 + shipping + duty.

All of the above choices are open source and good value for the money,
based on my research.

We have a Mendel. Do not get a Mendel unless your primary purpose for
having a 3D printer is fiddling with it to make it work better (as a
research project), as opposed to actually using it as a tool. Or if you are
attracted to the mythos of self replicating printers.

I have no real insight into Cubify. It is built by 3D Systems, who make
professional and prosumer commercial 3D printers. It might be okay, but one
of the forums is warning vaguely of DRM-like restrictions, overly expensive
cartridges (not sure if they can be manually refilled), and less than
impressive print quality, so more research is required.
http://cubify.com/images/cubified/image2_large.jpg doesn't look that great
to me, it's comparable to Mendel output after months of tuning.

And please share your experiences! I want to get a new printer for
Kwartzlab.

Doug Moen.

On 15 May 2012 16:24, Tomasz Dysinski <oz at bunnybones.com> wrote:

> Hey guys,
>
> I'm a bit of a lurker, but I thought I would inquire about 3D printers. My
> office in Toronto (Jam3) has been getting into installations and hardware,
> and during our last hack-day, while I was hacksawing and drilling aluminum
> to create a cradle for an arduino project, it dawned on me that we need a
> 3D printer. The makerbot replicator with dual heads looks tantalizing. Does
> anyone on this list have experience with this make/model? Is there another
> make/model that you would recommend for an office, for ease of use,
> precision, and good value?
>
> The ones we've been considering:
> http://cubify.com/cube/
> http://reprap.org/wiki/Mendel
> http://store.makerbot.com/replicator.html
>
> Sidenote: I figure we can print a batch of Mendel parts (of which I am a
> huge fan) as soon as we get any one machine first as I'd love to have one
> at home.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Discuss mailing list
> Discuss at kwartzlab.ca
> http://kwartzlab.ca/mailman/listinfo/discuss_kwartzlab.ca
>
>
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