The Micro: $299 3D printer on kickstarter
polycounter lvl 9
Kickstarter
Seems pretty cool, the first time a 3D printer has really seemed affordable (to me at least!) I'm really tempted to pick one up, does anyone have any experience with these filament spool printers? I know the resolution is supposed to be a lot worse than the SL printers but how much worse?
Also when it states 50-350 micron resolution does that mean you dial in the resolution or is 50-350 an approximation of the average resolution throughout a whole print?
Seems pretty cool, the first time a 3D printer has really seemed affordable (to me at least!) I'm really tempted to pick one up, does anyone have any experience with these filament spool printers? I know the resolution is supposed to be a lot worse than the SL printers but how much worse?
Also when it states 50-350 micron resolution does that mean you dial in the resolution or is 50-350 an approximation of the average resolution throughout a whole print?
Replies
They're not too bad, though it may depend on the detail you're hoping to achieve. Stair-stepping and gaps can also be smoothed away with a little acetone.
and usually, the xx-xx means you can define the accuracy with which the printer prints, which usually brings with it some form of reliability problems as you step down.
By comparison it looks like the MakerBot Replicator Mini has a resolution of 11 micron X and Y positioning accuracy with a 200 Micron layer resolution.. It also retails at $1375 - almost 5 times the cost of the micro.
Disclaimer: I know nothing about 3D printers so probably have missed something significant here!
There's definitely a lot of demand for it.
I'm not sure if the micron measurements takes into account the size of the filament as it comes out of the nozzle. There wont be a point in going too low if the plastic itself is going to come out larger than the layer.
As for the price, there are other factors involved. I can't speak for the quality of the parts or how easy they are to maintain and replace, but the Makerbot seems to include a closed case (which traps the heat in during printing), a heated print bed, a built-in camera and a smart extruder that can communicate to your phone. Prints can take several hours to complete (I'd ballpark 1-4 hours for smaller prints, 6-10hours for a size that would comfortably fill up that 4" volume), and they require constant monitoring the whole time unless you want to come home to spaghetti. Being able to monitor and cancel a print from anywhere is a very nice feature to have.
Another video with friendly music, happy people and crap like this. I wanted to see how accurate printer is and guess what , they didn't show a single model printed by this device!
big LOL
The stereolithography approach allows for the use of materials with different levels of flexibility. Not in the same print, naturally, but you can print with differing types of elasticity. I'm also fairly certain that a greater degree of detail is possible. The spool-fed approach is limited by the physical constraints of its components. It's also slightly more prone to hardware failures, because of its reliance on numerous moving parts.
The environmental factors are worth considering. Starch-based plastics are a considerable advantage.
Though I imagine with that design it wouldn't be too hard to make your own plexiglass enclosure or something around it.
This one I think might not have the best print quality but decent for a few different uses anyhow, since it's open air it can be effected by outer temperatures more, the enclosed cased 3d printers can regulate the temperature of the printing environment better making sure prints dont pop off too earlier and so the plastic doesn't tool too fast. Either way that does seem tempting. I was originally going to build a 3d printer myself but decided to focus on other things and maybe buy an Up Mini somewhere down the line.
Nearly 4.5in cubed, also the price is probably going up on release.
Pretty decent size.
IF it releases. A shitload of kickstarter projects never materialize. Hell, Sad Pictures for Children's comic book was actually completed, then LIT ON FIRE by the creator because they had a mental breakdown.
If you don't have $300 to potentially throw a way, don't but it. But there isn't any complete $300 3d printers of this caliber for sale right now
Numbers doesn't say much in this scenario.
I backed it, although I may withdraw that. I did find a slot that ships in december 2014, but knowing these projects it still means I'll get it in 2015.
There's also the fact that some key patents for 3D printing are expiring next year. I have some use for a 3d printer, but I'd rather pay more for something higher quality later since my projects involve a lot of small details.
fyi: Rhinikio is talking to someone who pushes 50 micron layers out of a Makerbot Replicator, that's higher res than they advertise on the site but it increases print times to an all day task. I'd like to see how this lightweight and mostly plastic printer handles the vibrations from printing.
And there's the bit of all their imagery on their website being 3D renders instead of photos. Lastly, that image Hitmonfinity posted a bit up there isn't using the right sizes for the model. 3.3 should be much narrower in comparison than 4.3 than is shown.
It might be a decent printer, certainly for the price, but they seem to be inflating the qualities/specs/possibilities of it and I don't like that at all.
Personally I'll just be waiting for one of the current gold-rushers to have a good track record a year or two from now, and buy one for $300 when the market has stabilized.
Wat? Straight out of modo based on those dimensions...