FRC Blogged - FIRST® Choice Adds Additives

[Rohawk1]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

And I'm not criticizing either (both 3824 and the FC machines), just clarifying that a CNC sherline will never be a Haas, in the same way that a makerbot will never be the machines 3824 has.

Makerbots can be just as helpful, though. We have a variety of consumer printers that we use for parts not meant for structure, such as camera mounts, motor couplings, and motor brackets. These printers can be used for several complex pieces on your robot, you just need a little experience. If anyone has any questions about how to use these printers, we have accumulated quite the experience after a couple of seasons of utilizing this technology.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Rohawk1

Makerbots can be just as helpful, though. We have a variety of consumer printers that we use for parts not meant for structure, such as camera mounts, motor couplings, and motor brackets. These printers can be used for several complex pieces on your robot, you just need a little experience. If anyone has any questions about how to use these printers, we have accumulated quite the experience after a couple of seasons of utilizing this technology.

It isn't reasonable to tell every team reading on chief that a makerbot will be "just as helpful" as the $100k machines you have access to.

The makerbot can do some useful things for FRC, but to hype them up as just as good as top level industry machines is unfair for the teams who might believe that statement, then dump all their FC credits into a makerbot.

[brandon.cottrell]

I can't even express how happy our President was when I showed her this

[joelg236]

So our team is debating this decision right now. Our biggest question is whether we could buy the parts we would usually get from FIRST choice after getting the printer. Would they be out of stock? Would they even be available to buy? It's a huge risk. And shipping times after that - especially for crucial prototyping equipment (game pieces!).

It might be beneficial financially (we're buying a printer regardless), but what about logistically? Especially for a team up where we live.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by Bald & Bearded

A top quality kit is under the $600 in credits it would cost you.

Dollars ≠ FIRST® Choice credits.