Which is the best 3D printer?

[petercohen]

Hello, we got the Replicator 2 but it has a not-extruding problem within two weeks after purchase. Is the 2X any better? Are there any other 3D printers better than the Replicator series?

[Gort]

I am a fan of MakerBot but if I where to buy a printer today I would buy the UP! / Afinia printer.

http://pp3dp.com/

http://www.afinia.com/

If you have more questions read this.

http://www.makershed.com/Ultimate_3D_Pr ... /mkbk4.htm

[limor]

I beg to differ.

Replicator, 2, 2X are the most popular 3D printers in the world with over 40% market share.

If you have any technical issue with extrusion please give us a call (if you bought it from us) or open a support ticket with Makerbot.com

Extrusion blockage issues can be easily resolved (assuming you are using reputable sourced plastic with uniform diameter and material quality)

RoboSavvy support line: 02071934351

[Bullit]

Has anyone tried the Cubex yet? Sounds impressive although reels are a bit expensive.

[Gort]

I am a fan of Makerbot but the Replicator series of printers has too many out of the box issues. I would wait for the Replicator 3 and see if they have fixed them yet.

The Cubex is a very average printer and not worth the expense of use.

This is still the best 3d printing guide you can buy:

http://www.makershed.com/Ultimate_3D_Pr ... /mkbk4.htm

The UP! is still the best all round printer that you can buy. Still the best print quality and best price. Makerware is Makerbots version of the UP! software.

[petercohen]

I am a fan of Makerbot but the Replicator series of printers has too many out of the box issues. I would wait for the Replicator 3 and see if they have fixed them yet.

The Cubex is a very average printer and not worth the expense of use.

This is still the best 3d printing guide you can buy:

http://www.makershed.com/Ultimate_3D_Pr ... /mkbk4.htm

The UP! is still the best all round printer that you can buy. Still the best print quality and best price. Makerware is Makerbots version of the UP! software.

Regardless of price, is the UP! still the bests in terms of print quality and problem-free? The build size seems to be a bit small. How is the CubeX compared with the UP! and Makerbot 2X?

[Bullit]

What about LeapFrog frog printers like the Xeed? does anyone have experience with these?
https://www.lpfrg.com/

[Fritzoid]

I got my UP! printer nearly two years ago now so quality control may have improved by now, but my extruder stopped working after only about 20 hours. The distributor responded to the problem quickly and a replacement head arrived the next day. Then after only 10-20 hours of use the new extruder failed too, and in the same manner. I was not impressed!

After recontacting the distributor I was sent a third "hot-end" and this one has served me well. I figure that it must have between 200 and 300 hours of use by now.

The lesson here is that it may be unreasonable to expect that your 3D printer will as carefree and reliable as your TV or computer. This is cutting-edge technology after all.

Also, it's tough for a manufacturer to catch problems like this that only arise after many hours of use, so I would give MakerBot a little slack here.

[Gort]

I keep coming back to this but a lot of every ones questions would be answered if you read this:

http://www.makershed.com/Ultimate_3D_Pr ... /mkbk4.htm

You can not beat the Afinia / UP! printer for its price and easy of use. It's print quality is as good or better than any printer on the market right now.

The opinions on the Replicator 2x or mixed some good and some bad. It does seem like it is a better printer than the Replicator 2.

I am going to the Bay Area Maker Faire next month and will be curious to see the new printers and the improvements made to the existing printers.

[petercohen]

I am a fan of Makerbot but the Replicator series of printers has too many out of the box issues. I would wait for the Replicator 3 and see if they have fixed them yet.

The Cubex is a very average printer and not worth the expense of use.

This is still the best 3d printing guide you can buy:

http://www.makershed.com/Ultimate_3D_Pr ... /mkbk4.htm

The UP! is still the best all round printer that you can buy. Still the best print quality and best price. Makerware is Makerbots version of the UP! software.

Which UP! do you recommend? UP! Plus? How is its printing speed compared with the Replicator 2? What build volume is recommended for building parts for DARwIn robot?

Is there a free version of the 3d printing guide?

[limor]

If you want an in-depth book about 3d printing check out
Practical 3D Printers - The Science and Art of 3D Printing - B. Evans

If this is for personal use and interest, I always suggest to go during the weekend to your local hackerspace and hang out with lots of people that will be happy to provide you with knowledge and experience about 3D printing. If you have the time, you can order the parts from Ebay and build a decent 3D printer for $400 in parts or a really good one for maybe $600. Check out the Tantillus 3D printer for example. The really expensive bit of the kit at this time are the electronics.

[petercohen]

If you want an in-depth book about 3d printing check out
Practical 3D Printers - The Science and Art of 3D Printing - B. Evans

If this is for personal use and interest, I always suggest to go during the weekend to your local hackerspace and hang out with lots of people that will be happy to provide you with knowledge and experience about 3D printing. If you have the time, you can order the parts from Ebay and build a decent 3D printer for $400 in parts or a really good one for maybe $600. Check out the Tantillus 3D printer for example. The really expensive bit of the kit at this time are the electronics.

Unfortunately I am in a small city right now. I don't have access to such human resource.

Besides the build area, is the UP! Plus better than any other printers including the CubeX?

[Gort]

Yes it is hard to beat for the price and print quality!!

[petercohen]

Yes it is hard to beat for the price and print quality!!

Can anybody please post a closed up photo of brackets for the DARwIn printed by the Up! Plus? Do the frames deform due to the heat from the motors? Do they break easily?

[Gort]

I can post pictures.

You can still see the layers at 150 mm.

If you print with ABS, you should not have problems with the brackets deforming.

I think my next step is to make the brackets 3mm thick. As you can still break them under heavy load.