[KwartzLab] 3D printers: recommendations?

[Tomasz Dysinski]

Thanks Guys,

The ultimaker seems like the best option now. I remember seeing prints at
hacklabTO a couple months ago and they did look pretty spectacular. Is
there a directory of registered 3D printers who act as on-demand printers?
Maybe something doesn't exist, but I'm thinking of a sort of distributed 3D
printing network so people can just get something printed. Naturally it'd
be a website where you upload your file, pay a fee (or use a free voucher
:)) and get matched up with the closest printer in their area (pick up
time/location etc). I know the logistics might be more hassle than its
worth, but until Kinko's hops on board, there really should be a way for
people to find access to printers. More than the mythos of the self
replicating fabber, I believe the mythos of distributed and decentralized
manufacturing. I'd like to register on such a network once we get a printer.

Tomasz


On Tue, May 15, 2012 at 7:24 PM, doug moen <doug at moens.org> wrote:

> 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.
>>
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>>
>>
>
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