[ Closed ] Introducing Three New Solidoodle Models (Page 2 of 28)

Phew, that was close. Now the the price of the press is above the $349 level, the logical part of my brain can take over again. Besides, it hard to justify ordering two new printers in one day

SoliPrint is a replacement for Repetier Host, mostly targeted at casual users. It has a much simplified interface, with a limited number of options. Fewer buttons in general. At this time it still relies on Slic3r. To my knowledge, you should be able to use Repetier Host with all the printers. There will be a beta test for SoliPrint.

At least in the short term, I don't think SoliPrint will be big with the SoliForum crowd. I think you guys really value your options. In our minds SoliPrint is an attempt at swapping flexibility for ease of use.

Woohoo! What's the microcontroller on the board?

10k printers shipped at an average of $750/ea, ~$7.5M in revenue over 3 years before factoring in replacement parts. Not bad!

and the  SD4  is now  $599 .
If I had not just purchased an SD4 the $399 for the new one would be tempting.

ok lots of good Q& some A but nobody wants to address the 800 lbs gorilla in the room.
NEED more pics and info of all printers especially the 2 we may like. the apprentice pic shows a stamped out hole for vent fan back upper right of case even though open cage. workbench dont have this. both have boxes inside for I assume some electronics plus another box hanging on back hung by 4 keyholes. no clue whats there with pics and tiny specs info on site.

why you would do away with heated bed on an ABS printer is mind boggling to say the least plus raise cost but not add features we all been asking for for nearly 2 years now to refine how it works.

also all carriages look same as b4 no smooth bearings etc.

no talk of added cooling fans for the left carriage motor, mother board/s, filament for bridges (Solidoodle tech told me they dont reccomend doing bridges, but use plenty support instead (to try removing)) etc like software has had incorporated in all along but never installed even connection pins on board or pre-wired for.

ABS needs fumes vented yet no vent connection yet (cant even use that new kids toy Press indoors without causing health issues and strong smell).  my wife wont allow it so I know others wont.

power supply is still under 400 watts so not planning to add any of these requested options. (Solidoodle tech also told me this).

the one glass bed option still puts Kaptan tape on glass (why? so we can tare it removing prints?) also most that use glass have extra plates and quick changeability so last print can cool while starting next.

but we get duel extruders like the makerbot crowd now (which hasnt sold well due to higher cost and few STL apps for it also its only good for 2 colors. anyone needing multi color plastic prints can find powder type printers and have full color dye prints. (I see local stores selling the makerbots and knockoffs at over $3,000 each but they cant move the duel extruder models and dont even have a file to show demo of it with. thats how rare usage is. its just another bell/whistle for maybe someday)

heres an idea, stop tossing out the baby with the bath water, while bringing in next beta made from scratch units and just upgrade what you have to mods owners (customers) have been demanding and doing themselves.

its obvious the 'Press' is aimed at school kids and home use. so make it the only unit without a heated platform and make it only use PLA so buyers can have their homes/schools smell like Maple syrup always. instead of burning plastic giving them headaches, red eyes, etc. (read the MSDS for both plastics used)

also dont mess with software when it does fine for us. I can safely say 90% of Solidoodle users prefer Repetier Host and Slic3r etc like the latest version has. over most others offered the last couple years. a microSD is nice for less reliance on computer memory while printing.

there are some features that should be standard by now on these printers and here we are on 7th generation printer still not included. most dont need huge print size, but all need the above stated features. instead we get a couple options maybe 10% can use.

Mitch

I would Agee the lack of a heated bed for the workbench amateur seems a bit skinflinty

We do not have any plans to add a heated bed at this time.

Edit: WorkBench has a heated bed.

The WorkBench Apprentice has no heated bed.

The workbench has a heated bed.

Looks like workbench does have a heated bed and workbench apprentice does not.  I put in my order for the press.  I talked myself into it by saying that I can get it now for $399 and test it out.  Since the price will eventually be $599, I could turn around and sell it on eBay if I don't end up liking it and I will probably still break even.  I will hold onto my SD2 with E3D for now.  I'm thinking someone will have an E3D mounted on a press within a couple weeks of release.  Hopefully it is not too difficult to to get the firmware reconfigured to keep the auto bed leveling with a non-stock hot end.

Also, I thought I saw a comparison chart of the 3 new printers yesterday but I can't find it now.  Did anyone save it?

Of course it could be added the question really is... How difficult will it be to add the heated bed.  It all depends on the board and what headers are soldered on.  I would guess it is the same board as the workbench so it shouldn't be a problem just plug it in and go.  But, I don't know that!

id be intrested to know the design process that went into deciding not to include a heated bed on the workbench amateur. consideraing a heated is essentialy just... a power resistor it really does come off as not giving a crap to not include one. considering just how essential it is. with 3d printers now a lack of heated bed is the equivalent of no power steering

Over the last year or so, I've almost pulled the the trigger on the 3 and the 4.  I even almost pulled the trigger on the Press (along with my Workbench) just because good price.  Ultimately, I ordered a Workbench model for the dual extruders and build size.

I currently have a Robo3D which I was modifying the moment I took it out of the box.  I replaced the extruder, Y carriage, power supply, RAMPS board (some Taurino boards are not compatible with OSX), added an LCD, changed to metric rods, and more before I got to a place I was happy with.  I fear to add up the total cost but I'm guessing it is in excess of $1300.  My fervent hope is that I'll be able to pull the Solidoodle Workbench out of the box and get high quality prints without having to start replacing components. 

I have slight trepidation because of the negative reviews around build and print quality on previous models.  In digging through the internet, I've noticed that people have problems with z-wobble, poor structural integrity on the pulley mounts, extruder issues, etc.  I'm going out on a limb 8 weeks in advance and hoping they've ramped up the build quality significantly with the increased price of the workbench model and that my dreams of a large format plug and play-ish experience will be realized. 

(I also hope that there is an easy way to add an SD card reader and LCD because I'm not leaving my computer hooked to my printer all the time.  Maybe an OctoPi, but not my computer!)