C-3PO, if we were to look at this question again in 5 years, I think we would be amazed at the quality of both the machines and the prints they are making.
My machine was an almost assembled one ... I had to put 2 large pieces together, put in 6 bolts and tighten, and plug in 3 wire harnesses. It took about 10 minutes to figure out the leveling process and how to get filament loaded, and that was it. There was one wire harness damaged in transport. The supplier looked at the pic I sent him and told me to separate the strands of the harness and try the machine. I did that and it worked ... That was Friday afternoon. On Monday morning, a new cable was delivered to me ... from the other side of Canada. I am in Ontario and I bought the machine from a shop in Calgary, Alberta.
A large number of these machines are made by only a few manufacturers. My machine can be had under several different names around the world. The quality of the parts is surprisingly good, but all the parts are out there to beef almost any machine up. For around $200.00 Canadian dollars, I can buy a middle of the road or better, electronics package that includes the stepper motors and controllers, Arduino or other controller, all required wires etc. and all I need to add is the frame work. If done correctly, one can end up with a $2000.00 or so machine. Again, all that faffing about is only for a small number of hobbyists
One thing that I did, and would very highly recommend, is to buy the machine from a supplier in your own country. I have read many threads by people that bought a machine from one of the big online guys and had major problems getting the machine working. They all got their money back OK, no problem from that point, but they had to go through hoops and hurdles to do it and they didn't end up with a working machine.
As mentioned, my supplier is on the other side of the country, but emails are answered almost instantly, problems are solved right away, and in one case, I ordered some supplies from their website, and received an email to say that they wouldn't sell me the goods as they wouldn't work in my machine. If I need it, they are by the phone as well.
Buying local (or in country) has one drawback in that the goods are more expensive than online. My machine in the USA can be had for around the $400.00 us mark. Here, in Canada it is just over $600.00 can dollars. I found a couple of them on line for just over $300.00us. These machines are typically around $100 to ship if free shipping is not offered.
Now, most commercials you see for a 3d printer will show someone pressing a button, and the machine starts to buzz and whir and away it goes. True ... yes and no.
Yes, if all you want is average quality prints. If better quality is required, then there are some tests to do, measuring, recording, doing the math, and making adjustments. There are many adjustments that can be made in just the software on these machines. All of these settings make a difference. Remember, we are using a cnc machine here ... it is just piling material up instead of cutting it down. If done right, these tests and checks need to be done for each color, and roll of filament. Admittedly, once all the major adjustments are done, a quick, 5 minute or so print will tell you if the settings are right and at that point, you would know how to solve the problem anyway.
So, that is some of the ins and outs of the thing. I do have to say that it is most rewarding to have an idea, draw it up, print it, and use the part, all in a short space of time.
Cheers
Tom
Author
Topic: 3D Print at home - the future of model kits? (Read 9774 times)