proctor_richard wrote:who would people recommend jumping over to? im hearing good things of robo printers for a similar price point
I have a Robo3D which I've talked about in the other thread. I think they've come a long way in the last couple of years but easy to use they are not. Let's just talk about the inherent problems with the design (which may not be an issue for you):
1. Two Z axis motors - These things get out of alignment pretty easy and are a pain to realign without a dial indicator. FWIW, the new bed leveling system probably does a lot to prevent "throwing the nuts" which caused this to happen.
2. The Arduino board is a Taruino from Reprap Discount. There is a known UART firmware issue with some boards that don't allow them to talk to Mac computers.
3. The Y axis is a moving component which inherently limits speed.
4. The glass bed has the heating element stuck to it. This is... suboptimal, especially since the bed is no longer on a removable connector to the base of the printer due to fire hazard.
5. The RRD RAMPS board has an undersized mosfet for the heat bed. Without a functioning fan on the electronics (mounted under the machine) the heat bed will cut out.
6. The dumb swoopy design of the Robo limits access to the internals and does not lend itself to easy heated chamber build.
7. The frame is almost level from an inherent construction standpoint but there is no way to level the bed.
8. Without creating a fan duct, the part cooling fan design on the R3D is just shy of worthless.
9. Have I mentioned how much I loathe geared extruders with hobbed bolts? That's just a recipe for calibration nightmares. (I immediately replaced with EZStruder with a quality machined pulley and never looked back.
On the upside:
1. They replaced the drawer rails with smooth rods for the Y axis and made the bed magnetic mounting.
2. They added an all metal hot end (Downside is it's the Hexagon which is, IMHO, nowhere near a Pico or E3D)
3. They added auto leveling
4. The glass bed is now much thicker
5. They added SD card support (but no LCD, easy to add)
6. They don't follow basic AC wiring standards and there is no way this printer will ever be UL or CE listed, certified, approved or otherwise endorsed in it's current form.
7. There is at least one dual extruder carriage design out there and robust community support.
I think it's a solid printer but, just like all of the other printers out there, it is not without it's flaws. I have a Robo and am taking a bet on the Workbench because I want the dual extruders, better construction and larger buildspace. I know I can fabricate around any shortcomings it has. The press is a big mystery, though. It could be amazing or it could suck.
If I were making the choice today, I'd say that the form factor of the Press is very appealing and a part cooling fan shouldn't be too hard to add. Less difficult than dealing with the shortcomings of the Robo.
Boots Industries v2.5 Delta
Robo 3D with Pico Hot End, ViKi LCD, OctoPi, EZStruder, Precision Rods, Extended Z Height