Looking for a hassle-free 3D printer

[Dale]

This was just PM'ed to me. I asked the author if it was okay to repost it here because it has a lot of valuable input. They didn't want their name published though because they work for a Stratasys reseller.

Dale

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Saw your thread about 3D printers and wanted to chime in. I work at a Stratasys reseller, and even though my job is not directly related to the printers I go out of my way to use them and learn as much about them as I can, so I have a fair amount of experience with them.

The Objet printers are straight-up amazing, but I can’t recommend any of them for an FRC-level project - they’re just too expensive. All the smaller units have serious limitations (number and types of materials) until you get to the Connex machines, and then you’re talking 100’s of thousands of dollars.

The Dimensions I’m somewhat torn on. They’re getting old, and the Fortus line is much more reliable. What I would recommend, though, is the uPrint: http://www.stratasys.com/3d-printers...ries/uprint-se. It’s a real workhorse - fast, simple, decent build size, very reliable, and MIGHT be within an FRC-range budget.

The Fortus printers are really top-notch. They have by far the least down-time of any printer in our lab, and consistently produce great parts, but they’re almost certainly out of an FRC team’s price range.

The higher up the line of printers you go, you also get better and better software for processing print jobs. The Mojo uses a program that gives little control past orientation and placement, but the Dimensions and uPrint use a program called Catalyst, which also lets you determine slice height and infill. The Fortus line gives you access to software called Insight, which gives full control over every contour and raster on every layer. However, the Objet lines uses software called Objet Studio, and it’s pretty poor.

I’ve worked a fair amount with hobby-level printers (Makerbot and the like) before working here and I own an old Printrbot, and it’s been eye-opening to see the difference in capability that crossing the ~10K threshold opens up. But nowadays that there are so many good options in the hobby-level space (like most of the recommendations in this thread) that I wouldn’t recommend any of the Stratasys machines beyond the Mojo and possibly uPrint to an FRC team.

Again, my job doesn’t work too directly with the printers, so this is just opinions what I’ve developed from using them whenever I get the chance - you should take it with a grain of salt. I didn’t want to post it publicly, but I figured it was worth sharing my experience with you directly. Evan Hochstein (mentioned in the thread) can probably give you much more accurate insight into the Stratasys world.

Thanks for starting this thread! I’ve learned a lot from people’s recommendations.

[armagetto]

The Lulzbot Taz one of the best ones out there hands down.

Our team won a grant for a Rostock Max V2 based on it being student built and maintained. It's got a huge print area and it's been pretty reliable but when something goes wrong it tends to get ugly.

[jspatz1]

I know there are lots of varied opinions on the Makerbot Replicators, but I would let you know that our experience with our Replicator 2 has been phenomenal. It has run tirelessly for two years since the moment we plugged it in, and has pumped out parts for hundreds of hours with never a breakdown, and virtually no troubles except those that were our own fault. We have done nothing but lubricate it, and it just runs and runs and puts out quality parts like the day it was new. Very simple to operate and many of our students operate it. I have read opinions that the newer Replicator generations are inferior to the Replicator 2. I would be open to believing that is true, as our Replicator 2 has been a very reliable workhorse.

[Bkeeneykid]

I've personally use a Rigidbot at home. I've used it on a few occasions at home for FRC related stuff. For example, i used it to create a simple radio mount before AndyMark released their version which was just mine, but better. It prints reasonably fast (~60-70 mm), and ever since I upgraded my extruder for about $200, it's not had any problems. I have the RigidBot 1, which was plagued with problems, but I know the Rigidbot 2, which is about the same price, is much better, and you shouldn't have to upgrade your extruder if you get one.

[Dale]

The TAZ 6 is shipping now. It looks like just the ticket for our team if this review is accurate. Thanks for all your help. http://3dforged.com/lulzbot-taz-6-review/