3 New Printer from Makerbot

[Lann]

Well, Strarasys money does comes handy for them. 3 new printer launched simultaneously with nice features except the price and it is only for PLA...plus only one extruder
http://store.makerbot.com/

[brad72]

It does seem odd that none of them support ABS yet. They are definitely going for the fancy gimmicks though like on board camera, live feed etc which will appeal to many.

[Lawrence]

Hi all
The MakerBot Replicator Z18 at $6,499 with a heated chamber and its large platform looks impressive, but with dual extruders and heated print bed and suitable for ABS filament would be hard to beat - unless it was put up an Up!Mega with a 25X25X25cm build envelope. Add a second extruder (temperature selectable) and enclosed heated chamber to the Up! and price it at, say, $5,000 and then we would have my ideal printer.
I notice that Makerbot seem to be going the way of the Cube and the Cubex with proprietary 0.9kg filament - possibly in PLA only.
My Up!Plus is still my favourite printer - able to print working bearings with an inner diameter of 1 cm, and working M2.5 nuts and bolts.
As usual, only my own opinion.
Regards
Lawrence

[Lann]

Wondering, does PLA needs heated chamber??? If not why the Z18 has it when it is OPTIMIZED FOR
MAKERBOT PLA FILAMENT???

[roller]

PLA does not need a heated chamber ... in fact, due to PLAs relatively low softening point, heated chambers actually degrade print quality. Cooling is actually preferable for PLA.

[Lawrence]

Just had another look at the Z18. Huge build envelope. Dd a heated bed (if not already) and a second extruder for soluble support material, and then I would definitely be interested. Even better, some Chinese knockoff will soon do it for half of the price.

[Lawrence]

Just had another look at the Z18. Huge build envelope. Dd a heated bed (if not already) and a second extruder for soluble support material, and then I would definitely be interested. Even better, some Chinese knockoff will soon do it for half of the price.