My first thoughts after watching the video (having used other 3d printers in the past)
Clean... no wires everywhere... smooth profile.
Reall open build deck.
Neat spool winder... seems really efficient.
Looks like a better resolution.
They have the build parameters right...(no glooping or snaging... no stringers between objects)
parts don't seem to have ...Wobble? (slight x,y variation between layers).
The threads seem to really work (threads I have made seem to get snagged on gloops and the wobble).
> CloudFab looks great! It's a little disappointing I can't use it in Canada!
Thanks! You technically _can_, but the address fields are certainly a bit... American centric. We've got some bigger, better stuff coming soon that will certainly be international, so keep your eyes open. I'll be posting it here for sure.
And the MakerBot is not very reliable itself. I talked to Bre Pettis, the founder of MakerBot at MakerFaire and he said the biggest challenge they faced was "Uptime" they make a great product, but its kit based origin, and the buggy nature of atoms means you have to be fairly well versed in CS/EE/ME principles to successfully operate one.
Good concept, poor demo example. That was something that would have been better-faster-cheaper on a SRP (subtractive rapid prototyping) system (like a Sherline mini-mill with a 4-axis setup and a CNC kit, at about the same price as this printer). You can even do one-offs in the destination material (assuming the material is machinable) with a low-speed SRP and with less chasing and finishing work to do. There are things that ARPs (3D printers) can do that SRPs can't; they should have demoed something with internal structure that can't be machined in one piece.
It's not something that would be particularly difficult on a mill (and remember I said a 4-axis machine; the fourth axis is a horizontal rotisserie-type armature), provided that the thread is stopped before the join points. The internal thread only seems difficult; the right tool bit can easily cut UNC-type internal threads to a bit-length-limited depth, and a keyhole-type bit would provide the thread-end relief. The external can be cut with a standard round-point 60-degree bit, as long as you don't try to cut threads all the way to the shoulder (a flat groove between the thread end and the shoulder wouldn't harm functionality -- and would be a good place to stick an o-ring if the bottle is supposed to hold liquids).
Clean... no wires everywhere... smooth profile. Reall open build deck. Neat spool winder... seems really efficient. Looks like a better resolution. They have the build parameters right...(no glooping or snaging... no stringers between objects) parts don't seem to have ...Wobble? (slight x,y variation between layers).
The threads seem to really work (threads I have made seem to get snagged on gloops and the wobble).
Windows only :( I won't be buying one.