I am totally new to 3D printing so you might understand the dilemma I am facing purchasing my first 3d Printer. I have spent months scouring the forums, youtube and reading reviews.
Almost immediately I saw through the marketing hype of MakerBot so they are out. Then I was certain that I would be getting an Orion Delta, which quickly moved on to the Rostock Max and then I thought I was there when I settled on the Ultimaker, it was just a decision between the original + or the Ultimaker 2, but then I heard about the Zortrax and I know in my heart that this is now definitely the one :-)
However since spending so much time looking at printers that had a bigger build volume I am wondering if any owners of the Zortrax have found this to be an issue. I am currently working on the thought that the print quality (if it is as good as it seems to be in the pictures and videos I see) probably should be my primary concern.
I know that you are already typing an answer, asking what it is that I want to print. Well the answer is I don't know yet. But I am hoping that some of you will have owned a Zortrax or other 3D printer long enough to know if the print volume has every been restrictive.
I've had warping problems when printing objects with footprints nearly the size of the perf bed when using Z-ABS. That was before some guidelines for printing such objects were publicised by Zortrax and several users, though, and I haven't need to print such objects since so can't comment on how well they work. Zortrax is about to release one or two filaments that are supposed to be non-shrinking which should greatly reduce or eliminate the tendency for warping and I plan to try those out when they are available.
I did recently successfully print this clock from Thingiverse:
and several of the parts have large overall X/Y envelopes though mostly open in nature. By that I mean that there is a lot of open space on the object where it contacts the perf bed, so presumably less tendency to warp.
I think the build volume is fine.. You can always break up the model to fit if need be.. I'll take quality over a little bigger build volume.. Printing this right now. This design came from http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:35120 It had some problems dimensionally so I redrew it..
Not sure if I am the only one who has got so stressed over deciding what 3D printer to buy, but I cant wait to get it now just so I can stop worrying about it, but considering everything I have seen so far the Zortrax looks amazing.
Not sure if I am the only one who has got so stressed over deciding what 3D printer to buy, but I cant wait to get it now just so I can stop worrying about it, but considering everything I have seen so far the Zortrax looks amazing.
Simon
If it helps any, I was in the same boat back in March and took a chance on the Zortrax right after the Kickstarter campaign finished and around when they started delivering to the public at large. At that point there weren't a lot of user reports so it was a little chancy to buy. I've not regretted the decision for a minute.
I've noticed with the last few ZSuite and firmware updates that my Zortrax is starting to exhibit these tendencies. Pretty tough to program for a recognizable song , though.
I've noticed with the last few ZSuite and firmware updates that my Zortrax is starting to exhibit these tendencies. Pretty tough to program for a recognizable song , though.
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