[KwartzLab] 3D printers: recommendations?

Tue May 15 23:17:56 EDT 2012

I really like your idea of 3D printing network! It would help pay for 
our printers. If something like that doesn't exist are you thinking 
about setting it up?

On 5/15/2012 10:52 PM, Tomasz Dysinski wrote:
> 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 
> <mailto: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
>     <mailto: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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