SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — Advice before purchasing XYZ DaVinci Jr.

Re: Advice before purchasing XYZ DaVinci Jr.

2017-04-22T13:02:59Z

it is not just about the printer, but also about how to design objects to print.

Absolutely but 3d printers can teach so much beyond cad. seems easier to me to use an open platform. And I realize time in the class is limited.

Re: Advice before purchasing XYZ DaVinci Jr.

2017-04-22T12:11:46Z

I am in contact with another teacher that uses a Mini in the classroom. We swap ideas back and forth. His Mini seems to be working just fine for them. They are using an EMU tag with it which will help a little with being tied to XYZ filament. They are also using 3Dsimplify and some other designing tools so the students can get a feel for what it is like to design there own stuff. In their case it is not just about the printer, but also about how to design objects to print.

If you go with the JR, you really should consider an EMU tag so you can use non-proprietary filament.

Just another opinion.

Re: Advice before purchasing XYZ DaVinci Jr.

2017-04-22T11:43:07Z

There are plenty of folks that have made a davinci work . I have a friend that loves his little to no mods he does not allow it net access the wifi is off when the printers on.This would not work for a school.
You will find good and bad reviews/ experiences for just about any printer/brand out there.
The local maker space has a stratasys U-print SE it takes propitiatory filament and it takes abs ivory that is it no other choice. it is a $15 k printer. But is is dual head and does support.

One of the main issues with davinci is it is closed source/ propitiatory. Open source gives lots of choices and you can control virtually every aspect of the machine. you can learn and teach about hardware, firmware, CAD, cam , machine control,g code etc.
I am one of the folks that chose the kit build route for printer #2 and #3 they are work but one leanes the nuts bolts wiring and software . To own a printer you need to be comfortable with fixing it and a little tinkering/ adjusting. If you build a kit there is no fear of I might break something on it if i touch it. IMHO the mass market of consumer goods has instilled a fear of electronics to the general public. The maker movement is trying to change this.
And thanks for wanting to introduce 3d printing into the classroom and taking ownership of the project.

Re: Advice before purchasing XYZ DaVinci Jr.

2017-04-22T03:26:56Z

I have one of the bigger davinci's and have found it quite good, but yes you do tie yourself in with the filament, it can be bought cheaper by getting the refills. once calibrated it does just work out of the box.
I seem to be getting less issues setting it up than a colleague who bought a kit and built it himself.
if you want it as a teaching tool, it doesnt lend itself to teaching how the software is manipulated as it sorts out all of the print settings using the chip in the cartridges.
I have looked at spares availability, and they seem limited with mediocre customer support.
it probably wont just print straight out of the box, the bed will almost certainly need calibration, use the manual method described in these forums, its a lot easier than the inbuilt calibration.
in short depending upon what you want, go into a purchase with your eyes open.
I bought the machine knowing that I would be tied to the XYZ cartridges, would lack the ability to adjust things. I didnt want to get bogged down setting up a machine, my experience is as a CAD draughtsman, so the design work I found easy.
the machine does what I want.

Re: Advice before purchasing XYZ DaVinci Jr.

2017-04-21T22:40:07Z

IMHO DON'T

People here are constantly looking for help with problems.
you either need to buy their filament or hack the printer
they have a poor reputation for customer service.
this is one brand I would recommend against especially for a school.
if you want a cheap printer get a monoprice or Wahao decent for the money but a much better experience for most.

Advice before purchasing XYZ DaVinci Jr.

2017-04-21T21:04:49Z

Hi,
I"m new to this forum. I'm looking at purchasing a DaVinci Jr for my classroom. I have read a lot of good things. I'm new to the 3D printer world but would like to learn and integrate into my classroom. A friend suggested I get a few answers before buying...

1. Is it easy to import stl files into the xyz software program?

2. Is the DaVinci Jr pretty reliable? How often are people having to clean out/fix the extruder on them or deal with other issues?

Thanks for your help.