carl_m1968 wrote:

I'll stick with my Mightyboard for now. Later I plan to move to an Azteeg of some sort. Getting tired of not being able to use gcode to run my printer.

Azteeg?? 
Make sure you get an X3, cause those unscrupulous and disreputable Panucatt guys are now using integrated drivers on the latest version (x5)

Darn it looks like more and more of those guys are going to integrated drivers, all that in the name of greed, and the mighty dollar...

Touche... I'll just shut up and lurk in the XYZ corner where I used to.

I'll stick with my Mightyboard for now. Later I plan to move to an Azteeg of some sort. Getting tired of not being able to use gcode to run my printer.

Azteeg?? 
Make sure you get an X3, cause those unscrupulous and disreputable Panucatt guys are now using integrated drivers on the latest version (x5)

Darn it looks like more and more of those guys are going to integrated drivers, all that in the name of greed, and the mighty dollar...

carl_m1968 wrote:

jagowilson wrote:

The board does support external steppers. Looks like you just need to add headers.

http://fastbot.wdfiles.com/local--files … _bbp1s.jpg

4 pins will not drive an external stepper driver. Not sure what those empty ports are for.

Sure it will. You only need step/direction. You can do it with 3 pins even!

By external I mean the carries that have like 20 pins. Not one of the boxes you can buy that you just supply power and logic to. The stepsticks and similar drivers are what i am talking about and the entire basis of my original statement that everyone went off on.

jagowilson wrote:

The board does support external steppers. Looks like you just need to add headers.

http://fastbot.wdfiles.com/local--files … _bbp1s.jpg

4 pins will not drive an external stepper driver. Not sure what those empty ports are for.

Sure it will. You only need step/direction. You can do it with 3 pins even!

The board does support external steppers. Looks like you just need to add headers.

http://fastbot.wdfiles.com/local--files … _bbp1s.jpg

4 pins will not drive an external stepper driver. Not sure what those empty ports are for.

http://fastbot.wdfiles.com/local--files … _bbp1s.jpg

I'm aware that Printrbot designed and used the Printrboard before SD (check my signature).

But still back to my point I think a company that develops a board that has integrated driver is greedy or they just have no desire for customer support and self service.

So according to your statement, Printbot is NOT a reputable company, and have no desire to support the product.  All because they developed a board with integrated drivers.  You seriously need to get more informed.  I can tell you from personal experience that isn't true.

As far CTC is concerned.  I think it's a joke when people buy products directly from China (eBay, Alibaba, AliExpress, or whatever), thinking there's an enforceable warranty behind it.  What a laugh !

Sure they "officially" offer it, but you must ship your defective item back before they ship you a replacement.  The cost and logistics of shipping anything to China makes the warranty worthless and unenforceable.  This is what we call "hiding behind an ocean".

Mine was bought from a US dealer who handles everything. I also do all my own repairs with parts from Flashforge or Uncle Chucks. So all these points are mute. I have never used nor made a warranty claim on anything but a car. Anything else now days is considered disposable and replaceable as a whole. Nor is there anything on a printer that a user should not be able to repair themselves with local parts. There are at last count 6 different companies selling under the name CTC but the original has a US based dealer and a UK dealer that will handle all details if shipping is required.. Mine is the metal version that you can't even find on ebay anymore because the real company does not want to be associated with the fakes now. If you want a real CTC you have buy direct from the Chinese company or the UK/US dealer. I am not worried, I have torn it down and rebuilt it and it is built better in some respects than a Makerbot and I have no fears in it failing at any time soon. The one I have is a very well built machine and thoroughly supported by several US based companies. But again as said I do all my own repairs and mods if needed.

But I see I made a mistake in making the comment and apparently hit a nerve around here so I apologize and retract my statements. You SD guys might want to realize though this forum has grown beyond SD now and is a support site for XYZ as well as CTC now.

But still back to my point I think a company that develops a board that has integrated driver is greedy or they just have no desire for customer support and self service.

So according to your statement, Printbot is NOT a reputable company, and have no desire to support the product.  All because they developed a board with integrated drivers.  You seriously need to get more informed.  I can tell you from personal experience that isn't true.

As far CTC is concerned.  I think it's a joke when people buy products directly from China (eBay, Alibaba, AliExpress, or whatever), thinking there's an enforceable warranty behind it.  What a laugh !

Sure they "officially" offer it, but you must ship your defective item back before they ship you a replacement.  The cost and logistics of shipping anything to China makes the warranty worthless and unenforceable.  This is what we call "hiding behind an ocean".

I don't see how copying a copy of a U.S. designed machine somehow makes it ok. It still means less sales for the true innovators in the industry.

Printrboards are open source, there nothing wrong with multiple companies using them as long as the SA license is followed.

I also don't believe SD developed the Printrboard either, so they really have no merit in this discussion aside from the fact they simply use it.

Printrboard originally shipped with Printrbots, so one cut accuse SD of copying as well but that is neither here nor there. Like others they are just using tech that fits their application. In this case it is cost savings.

http://reprap.org/wiki/Printrboard