3D printer build with openbuilds parts. We make 50 of this printer. I want to share this design because is a winer… we use every day. Never fail. Have 30x40cm printing area.
It looks like several of the pictures aren’t showing up, but I’m not sure if that’s just my end. Also, is this an open source thing or something you’re selling?
Yeah, 2-3 pics are ok, rest are low res or not showing up. Let us know more details, a link to a video, etc … 
Is this an open source design? If it is I would love the files for it. I have been wanting to build a cantilever design 3D printer for quite some time now.
I think I’ll never understand why someone wants to move the whole arm instead of just the print head.
I think it’s a compromise for simpler construction, less parts, etc. I would consider this kind of design if it was designed with the intention of using it to print parts for another, better printer and canibalize itself of ALL its parts.
@Florian_Ford
But that’s the funny point. It’s not simpler! Your whole structure needs to be stiffer if you want to move the mass of the whole arm on one axis. I mean you’ll use bearings for this axis anyways. So the best idea is always to move the lightest part if possible. This way you can make the bearings smaller, the z slide less stiff and you need less mass in the base. In addition you can increase the print speed by keeping good quality. (or even better)
So with this way here you need more parts and they are heavier and more expensive. It simply doesn’t make sense.
Yeah, it would be better off if it was converted to a fixed cantilever arm (like the Bukito). With that much mass swinging back and forth, it’s likely to tip over, and moving the arm outside the build area means that you have that much more space on the side that you need to keep clear in order to use it.
A moving by arm obviously works. You just have to limit its reach. We don’t go over 6" with our simple. And yes, it must be very rigid. Our current Printrbot Simple does have very few parts takes 1-2 hours to build.
Hey, if it works, don’t fix it I guess.
Brook
Printrbot
@Brook_Drumm
If it works you don’t need to FIX it. But this doesn’t mean that it’s the best solution cost and performance wise. If we use your argument for the future we wont see any kind of development 
And yes, of course it works (somehow) . It’s proven at least by your printers. But again, this doesn’t mean that it’s the ideal solution. And it also doesn’t mean that there isn’t an easier solution.
Sorry
And by the way, the part count if you move the print head instead of the whole arm will be the same. You could even use some of the same parts. You’ll just move a different part.
@Sven_Eric_Nielsen I agree- never stop improving! I was just saying if moving the y arm on that model is working, don’t abandon… Improve and tweak but perfect it. If that design is optimized and perfect, then explore to discover better ways.
I make the Simple to be portable, obvious for people to understand and minimal for desktop. Turning it into a box would obscure these goals, so I’m not “fixing” the design approach. But we are improving the execution.
@Brook_Drumm
No doubt, we see continuous improvements on your printers. And a very close connection to the marked/community. All these points are obviously part of the reason why your printers are so popular.
You said “if that design is optimized and perfect, then explore to discover better ways”
And that’s exactly my point. I fully agree with this statement! And we already know better ways. Maybe it wasn’t well known 2-3 years ago. But today we know very well that moving mass is a critical point on every 3D printer. And he is on his way to build more of these printers because “it’s a winner”.
So my simple suggestion is keep the most of the ideas and fix the arm on the y axis and then move only the print head instead of the whole arm in the next printer iteration.
There is no need to turn it into a box. And this would change the whole concept. He should consider to change “only” this small area of the printer.
@Sven_Eric_Nielsen I like the way you think. Well put!
It’s funny how making or designing your own printer is very different set of requirements than running a business selling printers.
One aspect I’m obsessed with is beauty and even symmetry. The aesthetic aspects of product design. It’s very difficult to think objectively about the line between form and function.
I have (perhaps secretly) thought a good part of my success in the recent years has been my design aesthetic and tendency toward minimalism. It’s incredibly hard to achieve these competing goals in one product. Especially a complicated product. Some people just don’t have “the eye” and can’t learn it. I lean on other talented people to push this aspect of my job so can’t take full credit of course.
When I comment on others designs, I always try to get in the right context as to what feedback they are looking for… To separate the form from function if appropriate. A lot of designs here in G+ are wonderful engineering achievements, delightful exercises in what is possible. Less stand out in form. The printer in question here is in the former category. But that is not to detract from what he’s done.
I’ll stop attempting to wax poetic and just agree w you. You have made a solid recommendation!
Brook
Printrbot
It is not a perfect printer… but is the best for the price. I don’t sell this printer. Is our design. We make 40-50 pieces for a 3d printer hub. The quality of the prints are more then OK. I will post some more pics. The only reason for moving arm was costs. Any deviation of this design bring higher cost of hardware and construction time which will not give a huge quality improvement of the prints.
BTW… sth go wrong with the pictures when I share them from my Google pictures…
Is this design open source? Are there any github/etc sources we can look at? thanks.
@Brook_Drumm
I dont know if this saying is used in the USA (or englisch at all) but here we say “Thanks for the flowers”
It means a lot for me to hear this from a person with his own business on the 3D printer market.
And maybe you are right…Maybe the design is also part of your success. I mean it’s a quite nice and cute little printer. But to be honest, I’m not the right person to answer this question. I’m mainly an engineer and project manager.
And this is not just a job, this is how my brain works.
So for me the main targets are “Design follows function…” and “As good as needed and as cheap and easy/simple as possible…” 
By the way (@Ciprian_Balalau_Make ), please dont get me wrong! I never said, or meant to say, that this is a bad printer! It’s probably above the average (especially when I look on these massive profiles). But as I said, that’s not my point.
here are more pics
https://plus.google.com/110098948007234938107/posts/D3KR3Er4L7S
sorry for bad post first… google fault…