Latest thinking on 3-D printer options?

[James3245]

CD community,

I need advice on the fast-changing 3-D printer landscape. I know this has been a topic of discussion here but it seems this technology is changing by the day and I need the freshest outlook.

I teach a robotics/applied physics course that prepares students for FRC as the winter term challenge.

In the future, perhaps this year, I'd like to expand our use of 3-D printing such that we have multiple printers so that all students have more time.

Last year we got our first printer through FIRST Choice. The time devoted to assembly, re-assembly, fussing around, clearing clogged filament, adjusting heated bed etc was unacceptably large. When it worked it was a super teaching tool but more time was spent trying to maintain and calibrate the machine than actually using it to print. Eventually, we stopped using it.

I'm trying to target our investment appropriately. This may mean waiting for a couple of years and in the mean time concentrating on design and using one of the many printing companies.

The ideal for the learning goals of our program would be to have 5-10 printers that are:
-relatively simple to operate
-small footprint
-easy-to-use software
-stripped down features/options

I don't want the Lexus, I want the corolla. (OK, maybe eventually we will want one Lexus to do push the upper end kids, but we need to have a stable of corollas first)

Does it exist? Are any non-filament printers close to affordable?

Thanks for the input!