Offered, for free.
The company have an iffy record of closed-source software and (spit) proprietary cartridges, but this machine predates their worst behaviours and takes plain old filament. I see the ultimaker getting pretty heavy use, so do we want a second machine as backup?
I’ll be able to get a closer look over new years. From the photo it looks like it might be the triple-headed variant.
Specs: http://cubify.s3.amazonaws.com/public/bfb/0911_touch_uk_3ds.pdf
We were in the process of trying to restore another 3D printer as like you say, the ultimaker is getting well used. If this one is in working or near working conditions it’s worth a look as the other one needs lots of TLC !
Courty
Those printers as I understand it are dead because they stopped making the filament, so a replacement controller would probably fix this.
Hi All –
Much as I hate to be contrary, an awful lot of energy gets spent dealing with the differences between tools. If we see how much attention and practice it takes to get good results from a given printer, my suggestion would be to standardise if we can. So I’d much rather see a second identiical-ish printer than a room full of variants.
I think this helps us best to get more people printing, more things, more often, more successfully than if we have lots of different printers. There is a surprising amount of friction in a given tool; learning the “tips and tricks” and best settings and preferred materials and so on. Let’s avoid it if we can.
As practical questions then:
Kind regards to all,
J.
Very good points. The best answers to your Qs are
Very salient points Jonathan, derived from experience, I fear.
Ultumakers are teriffic, yet pricey.
Long-term is it better to migrate to a lower cost alternative? Depending on how many we eventually might have.
@laurent_muchacho and @frasco your input here would be valued.
Or initialise project diy ultimaker? Still open source I think?
If we are thinking of buying another 3D printer can I recommend this?
This is the updated Prusa i3 mk2 with auto bed levelling auto square. E3d all metal hot end. And it is made by the inventor of the design.
The reviews have been fantastic.
Tomas sanlanderer in his review this is the best value printer on the market at the moment. With a as good as or better results as the ultimaker for a1/3 of the price
Review here
Plus frank and myself will both have one each at home in the new year
I’d vote small volume new Ultimaker (assuming one we have already is large volume) or standardise on Prusa.
But… let’s buy a desktop CNC before another 3D printer!
Unless someone is up to completely refurbish the BFB I’ll says don’t take it.
The cost to completely refurbish should be between £100 and £150 max
Unification will be a must as Jonathan defend but I doubt SLMS want to spend over £2000 on an other 3d printer and for that price you can buy 2 Prusa I3 Mk2 as Lewis said it will be so much better
IMHO The small volume Ultimaker is a waste of money
Hope that help the debate
ps: If you guys want I can take the BFB and refurbish it but can’t guaranty an ETA
Well as Mark @lewisss has pointed out we are both buying Prusa i3 mk 2 kits. The kit price is about £650, assembled about another £200.
All the reviews suggest it’s a better m/c than the Ultimaker 2.
In particular with the automatic height sensor and multi-zone bed heater which allows you make more effective use of all the bed.
Points to bear in mind
Thanks to Brexit and the falling pound, the price of all these imported m/cs is likely to increase by 20% in the new year!
The Prusa uses 1.75mm filament rather than 3mm.
Delivery delays for the Prusa seem to be at least 6 weeks.
We certainly won’t be buying a new 3D printer right now, especially when there are other machines that we currently have zero of.
So I will have a look at this offer when I’m near it over the Xmas break. If it looks plug and play, then I’ll bring it back to London. If it looks like it needs some work, then it’s probably not worth the time investment.
If it’s not suitable for the Makerspace (I.e needs work) then I do have a couple of places that would appreciate it. Your call on brining it back/suitability though…
Courty
Any decision being made on that BFB 3d printer? Is it still available?
It is still available, and confirmed to be the 3-nozzle version. I didn’t get a chance to see it in person, unfortunately.
3 nozzle? This totally sounds like the sort of thing we should add to our collection.
Sorry to come back and ask again as this been taken by the space?
If not please can I take it to refurbish it
thx
