Buying good 3D Printer?

[MrRiedemanJACC]

Depends on what you mean by good....

I have a Dimension BST, which is very old, but I can say for sure that the Dimension is a solid machine. We made our corner pieces for our frame out of 3-D printed material and the axle mounts. We were successful with both. I don't have access to my work computer today with the models of our corner pieces or the axle mounts, but I can get them to you later if interested. They were both designed to be attached specifically to 20 mm 80/20 extrustion (they held up to a pushing match with you guys in the eliminations at Lansing until we tripped our main breaker - that's what we get for using 4 Cim's and 4 mini-Cim's on the drivetrain).

The new Dimension Machines run about $15,000 and they are said to have material that is 25% stronger. But that always depends on how you use it. Loading is everything! Edit: (oh yeah the $15,000 probably fits into the too expensive category) Edit end.

We also have two Makerbots. Be ready to tinker with the Makerbots, they are good machines, but there is downtime associated with them and expect it to be a good learning experience.

I have just placed an order from multiple vendors for about $1200 in total of parts and should be able to make a MendelMax v1.5 with that. I will be assembling one over the summer and next year in my class we will be assembling a second one. I'm sure there will be a learning curve to it, but if you can build one, we will know the in's and out's of 3-D printing and that is the goal I have for my students. It should look something like this when done: http://www.mendelmax.com/wp-content/...96fbaa5d9.jpeg

Also, check out Michigan Tech's website and the Square One Education Network. They have a program for teachers where they can go to Michigan Tech this summer and build a Delta Style 3-D printer. I believe they are booked. I was hoping to get a grant to put on another program such as that in Jackson, but I don't think the money is going to go through. For about $13,000 Square One Education Network will supply the parts and the expertise to set up another training and have 10 printers built in 3 days...

Here's the link to the Square One Education Network Professional Development http://www.squareonenetwork.org/prof...l-development/

Let me know if you have any other questions.... And good luck next week!

[RonnieS]

Originally Posted by MrRiedemanJACC

Depends on what you mean by good....

I have a Dimension BST, which is very old, but I can say for sure that the Dimension is a solid machine. We made our corner pieces for our frame out of 3-D printed material and the axle mounts. We were successful with both. I don't have access to my work computer today with the models of our corner pieces or the axle mounts, but I can get them to you later if interested. They were both designed to be attached specifically to 20 mm 80/20 extrustion (they held up to a pushing match with you guys in the eliminations at Lansing until we tripped our main breaker - that's what we get for using 4 Cim's and 4 mini-Cim's on the drivetrain).

The new Dimension Machines run about $15,000 and they are said to have material that is 25% stronger. But that always depends on how you use it. Loading is everything! Edit: (oh yeah the $15,000 probably fits into the too expensive category) Edit end.

We also have two Makerbots. Be ready to tinker with the Makerbots, they are good machines, but there is downtime associated with them and expect it to be a good learning experience.

I have just placed an order from multiple vendors for about $1200 in total of parts and should be able to make a MendelMax v1.5 with that. I will be assembling one over the summer and next year in my class we will be assembling a second one. I'm sure there will be a learning curve to it, but if you can build one, we will know the in's and out's of 3-D printing and that is the goal I have for my students. It should look something like this when done: http://www.mendelmax.com/wp-content/...96fbaa5d9.jpeg

Also, check out Michigan Tech's website and the Square One Education Network. They have a program for teachers where they can go to Michigan Tech this summer and build a Delta Style 3-D printer. I believe they are booked. I was hoping to get a grant to put on another program such as that in Jackson, but I don't think the money is going to go through. For about $13,000 Square One Education Network will supply the parts and the expertise to set up another training and have 10 printers built in 3 days...

Here's the link to the Square One Education Network Professional Development http://www.squareonenetwork.org/prof...l-development/

Let me know if you have any other questions.... And good luck next week!

I was looking at the Makerbot replicator 2x...I don't have really any knowledge beside self research. I know for a fact we probably have 4,000 to work with.

[MrRiedemanJACC]

We have a Makerbot Replicator 2. The biggest problem I am seeing is that that "extruder" is too close to the nozzle and the material melts inside the "extruder". Then the print stops.

So here's a more detailed explanation. Basically you start with filament that is a solid, push it with an "extruder" and it goes through a heated nozzle that melts the material to "lay" it on the bed. The "extruder" is not a screw, it is a wheel that turns and pushes the filament to the nozzle. The extruder though is connected directly to the nozzle which has the heating element. Once the heat transfers to the extruder from the nozzle, the filament starts to melt in the extruder and then it is essentially pushing a liquid. Now I'm sure it can be fixed, but that's where we are with it and I'm letting my students adjust the temperature to find a good balance.

Most of the homemade solutions pull the extruder away from the heating element.....

[RonnieS]

Originally Posted by MrRiedemanJACC

We have a Makerbot Replicator 2. The biggest problem I am seeing is that that "extruder" is too close to the nozzle and the material melts inside the "extruder". Then the print stops.

So here's a more detailed explanation. Basically you start with filament that is a solid, push it with an "extruder" and it goes through a heated nozzle that melts the material to "lay" it on the bed. The "extruder" is not a screw, it is a wheel that turns and pushes the filament to the nozzle. The extruder though is connected directly to the nozzle which has the heating element. Once the heat transfers to the extruder from the nozzle, the filament starts to melt in the extruder and then it is essentially pushing a liquid. Now I'm sure it can be fixed, but that's where we are with it and I'm letting my students adjust the temperature to find a good balance.

Most of the homemade solutions pull the extruder away from the heating element.....

Would these problems be fixed on the new 5th gen version?

[Qbot2640]

Originally Posted by MrRiedemanJACC

We also have two Makerbots. Be ready to tinker with the Makerbots, they are good machines, but there is downtime associated with them and expect it to be a good learning experience.

Originally Posted by MrRiedemanJACC

We have a Makerbot Replicator 2. The biggest problem I am seeing is that that "extruder" is too close to the nozzle and the material melts inside the "extruder". Then the print stops.

We have a Replicator 2, and have not experienced any problems like this. For us, the machine has been pretty much draw and print. We have tons of parts on our competition bot that were made by the printer - and honestly, it revolutionized our build this year.

In the interest of full disclosure, the machine is down right now waiting for parts from Makerbot. We took it with us to the DC Regional, and it would not operate when we arrived and set it up. Makerbot support has been fairly responsive, has sent one part along with installation instructions, and is currently sending a new motherboard.

[MrRiedemanJACC]

I do have to agree on the responsiveness of Makerbot. They have been absolutely spectacular every time I've called. No questions asked, they ship what you need at no cost.

[team222badbrad]

If you want an idea of what is available for the "hobby" market I suggest picking up a copy of the Ultimate Guide to 3D printing.

It's already a bit outdated since a new printer seems to pop up every other day. http://makezine.com/volume/guide-to-3d-printing-2014/

Also as already mentioned I would recommend one of the newest Makerbot machines. They seem to have the easiest to use machine and probably the best support.

There are other options, but it all comes down to cost and how much tinkering you actually want to do to get a useful print.

[Bald & Bearded]

Second what badbrad said above.
Also, go check out the reviews and problems reported in the forums on reprap.org.

While the plug and play nature of Makerbots and some of the other off the shelf printers is attractive, for learning, experimenting and being able to modify things I like the RepRaps.

As someone above said the MendalMax is a solid DIY printer.

There are several very good Prusa I3 kits out there that are a bit cheaper.

To keep cost lowest go with a Prusa I2 kit.

A while back I posted a presentation I gave on 3D printing at a local FRC workshop. If you can't find the thread on CD PM me and I will send it to you direct.

The short story is:
1. Invest in a heated bed.
2. If you want to do stronger materials than ABS(e.g. nylon) invest in an all metal hotend. However, not all allmetal hotends are equal so read the reviews.