3D Printer

Question

Hello

I received an email notification about a new Kickstarter campaign for a $99 3D printer.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/robotic-industries/buildone-99-3d-printer-w-wifi-and-auto-bed-levelin

I know very little about 3D printing but the price point caught my attention. Would this printer be a good starting point for somebody embarking into the world of 3D printing?

Are there any immediate issues that you can see with this unit, or considerations that should be made regarding the design/specification?

Are there better ways of getting started in 3D printing?

balearicdynamics · Accepted Answer

Hello Paul,

frankly, I should say that you pay what you get. First of all this model is just another Prusa 3D printer architecture replica with very few enhancements. Then it is probable that this printer is really precise as far as what I see but not so better than any other else. Limitations I see:

Printing bed extremely small; becomes very difficult to make decent size objects. Mostly usable for kids and small toys.
Not too versatile; by their same declaration they use a super simple extruder. No more thank plastic is mentioned.
Printing bed not heated; it's true that it is possible to print also with non-heated beds but I have tested several printers and the adhesion is a mess.
All components and parts are designed from scratch; first not always it is a good idea and second - most important - you have not great options for replacement parts than buy from them.

So I definitely say yes, there is sure a better way to start 3D printing. With a budget between 250 and less than 400 USD you can get a very good DIY device versatile and really durable. I have tested many, then I have found a couple of options that seems to me the best balance between price and performances. Using these kind of printers for thousand of hours.

Enrico

rachaelp · Answer

I'm tempted with building one too, but a really cheap one like this would help in that regard as you can then print the various brackets and mountings you need for holding things together. The problem I have with building one is the engineer in me keeps coming up with novel ideas for ways to do things which I think will be really excellent, but will make it a rather long winded project! I don't know if you've seen this youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/superazote/videos Basically this guy is building a big 3D printer and going through it step by step. It's quite interesting and he's quite entertaining Best Regards, Rachael

rachaelp · Answer

For the price I would think it might be worth a punt if you currently have no 3D printer. My concern would be stability as it doesn't look too structurally sound. Look at the right hand threaded shaft moving from side to side as it's slightly out of true at around 50 seconds in the video. I suspect there will be print quality issues caused by that possibly? Best Regards, Rachael

bwelsby · Answer

I have been tinkering with 3D printing for quite some time and have experimented with various designs delta,cube and prusa style. I have found the whole experience very enjoyable and I have learnt a lot in the process. I started off with a Mendel kit from Reprappro (alas no more) but used that the make the parts for other designs. My current tinkering is this:- It may look quite complicated and a bit messy as it has evolved over a long period of time. Recently I have been experimenting with a belt driven Z axis which is counter balanced - it works really well. There's a raspberry pi in there too. I agree with balearicdynamics 250 - 400 USD should get you a good starting point.

bwelsby · Answer

Paul Ellison wrote: Thanks bwelsby That looks like quite an impressive machine. I am taken with the idea of 3D printing parts to improve the machine, and build bigger and better models. Unfortunately it's a bit of a chicken/egg situation at the moment. The Mendel looks like a very different animal to your current printer. Thanks, I have gained more enjoyment from tinkering with the designs than just printing useful items. The current design is more like the Mendel than it looks, the X and Y axes are almost identical, the main change is the framework, I have used 20x20 extrusions and the belt driven Z axis replacing dual stepper motors and lead screws. I am now using E3D hot end and extruder and can easily change it to dual too. The electronics is arduino due + RADDS and current software is Repetier Firmware on the RADDS, Repetier Server on the RPi.

balearicdynamics · Answer

Rachael, I have just finished to test the last Geeetech.com Prusa based 3D printer model. It is absolutely reliable and I am publishing an Instructable on it. Take in acocunt that this is already my third 3D printer. The previous two was the previous version of the same architecture. I am working continuously with them producing a lot of parts, including mechanics. I will also publish a review on this model that is really good for a set of small but important enhancements they have added. Enrico

bwelsby · Answer

Paul Ellison wrote: Certainly a tinkering project in itself. Please tell me you printed the yellow flexible cableway... Yes indeed, anything that has some colour I printed. I use a very cheap PLA for prototyping and then if needed for better structural strength or temperature tolerance I have used Colorfabb ngen or PETG. Brian

balearicdynamics · Answer

Hello Paul,

To be honest I recommend one of the two Prusa I3 Aluminium from Geeetech. Just because you asked me a direct question. I am not sponsored by Geeetech; what happened was just that I had to buy a third 3D printer and I have asked for a quotation. It is reasonable that they will sell me with a lower price duh? Ok they proposed to give me the new Plus model at the old model price (discounted) in exchange of a good and honest review. I have accepted and remained surprised. If you decide to buy, let me put you in contact with the commercial I work with and introduce you so you get hopefully a good price.

I have started a XYZ printer; as I always do when possible I bought from Amazon, that's easy to be refunded and return the stuff. The first one I got was never started. The technical support was absolutely crap: by email only, one email today, one answer tomorrow. No sense. After one month, firmware revision etc I had acquired a good learning of how the 3D printing technology works and what are the critical points then the printer was sent back to Amazon.

I don't stopped and got another XYZ new model, new firmware. The printer was working bad and crap. Then I discovered a series of design and engineering errors that can't be corrected as are implicit in the building. Ok. Sent back too.

Then I moved to a RepRap, another Prusa model with all the components 3D printed and very cheap. Then tried a printer based on makerbot without hot bed.

The conclusion is:

Assemble by yourself, it is not difficult but not easy and very "STEM"
Use hot bet. I am about to publish some useful tips on 3D printing methodology
Work with good materials like aluminium frame, Nema17 Steppers, bronze screw driver, double steppers for the z-axis, tooth belt and a stable structure.
The Prusa design idea (many printers not geeetech only are derived from this) is one of the most reliable as it is very similar to the heavy CNC machines.
Ignore the crystal 20$ hot glass borosylicate for the flat bed. As it broke, buy same size "hoven glass" 3 mm thick by your neighbour glazier for 3$. But a stock of 5 and you will be ok for a couple of years

Then a good experience of the behaviour of the materials, nozzle and better timing is a good knowledge.

Enrico

balearicdynamics · Answer

Hi! For those interested, I have published just now the review of the 3D printer I3A Plus here: Review: 3D Printer Prusa Aluminium I3A Plus Hope it will be useful. Enrico

balearicdynamics · Answer

Sorry Paul, I forgot to mention Yes it is the I3 A Pro. But despite a couple of optimisations I have done a lot of pieces and hours on a couple of I3 A with Aluminium frame and they continue working without problems. BTW I want to review the A Pro on this section. Do you think it is the worth ? Enrico.

gadget.iom · Answer

Enrico Miglino wrote:

So I definitely say yes, there is sure a better way to start 3D printing. With a budget between 250 and less than 400 USD you can get a very good DIY device versatile and really durable.

Hi balearicdynamics

Thank you for a pretty detailed response. The more I think about it, the more I think a self/kit build would be more rewarding. $250 to $400 is not outside a reasonable budget.

Are there any particular avenues you would recommend with regard to Manufacturers/Models in this price point?

bwelsby · Answer

Enrico Miglino wrote: I love your monument to progress(ive) 3D printer building !!! It's really nice. A curiosity: what is the Pi used for ? Enrico Thanks , yes it is a bit of a monument, I wanted a decent Z dimension - 300mm also I made use of existing 20x20 rails that I had used on a delta design. Initially I ran OctoPi on the RPi but then switched to Repetier Server which I prefer, the full version is a little expensive in comparison but I got a big discount for early users I have the RPi camera too but that isn't on the photo, been using the camera in other experiments. Brian

balearicdynamics · Answer

Rachael, maybe the printing issues are not present but this is not the most problem. As you note the structure design super compact is weak, so what happens? That the printing speed is geological. At least. Then it's up to the user to print faster with low low quality. Take a look to the stop motion video. how much time has been compressed and how much small is the printed object ... Plus some other seriously influencing parameters on the speed / quality i.e. the fill percentage, the slicing algorithm, the operating temperature and material and more Enrico

gadget.iom · Answer

Hi rachaelp Yeah. The stability was something I was wondering about, given the lack of a bridge at the top of the vertical lead screws. I might holdout and see if any further photos/videos are released before committing. Also tempted to jump right in at the deep end and build one from scratch.

gadget.iom · Answer

Is that the I3 Pro?

3D Printer

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