I like the direction Solidoodle is going here. A lot.

3D Printing
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I like the direction Solidoodle is going here. A lot.

Originally shared by TCT Group

So @Solidoodle have launched three new printers, one aesthetically pleasing one for consumers and two open-framed steel machines for the maker market, all come with new auto calibration technology that uses a probe to level the build platform. Smart move covering both bases?
http://mytct.co/SoliPress

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Any thoughts on their extruders/hotend especially on reliability and make?

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@Fritz_Dimasapit No clue, never used one.

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I’m actually kind of tired of everyone trying to look like a microwave.

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@ThantiK
I think the ‘look like a microwave’ is everyone trying to be the ‘appliance’ 3D printer like the Apple II was the first ‘appliance’ microcomputer. That said, I dislike the ‘appliance’ look more because it sets invalid expectations on the new owners. I’ve now helped about 8 people who bought 3D printers with the expectation that they could just somehow turn them on and print anything. That is challenging in a couple of ways, not the least of which is nearly all the inexpensive printers only print PLA and PLA doesn’t seem to hold up well to extended use. (great for display prints though). One person wanted to print replacement engine parts for their Celica. Sigh.

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@Fritz_Dimasapit Never used one, but do know that I make a hell of a lot of sales to solidoodle users of replacement/upgrade hotends. Lots of stories of failed hotends come to me, solidoodle ranks pretty highly in the “It failed now I want to replace it with an E3D hotend”.

However do bear in mind that my sample is obviously skewed as I only see the people with broken ones!

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I don’t know if they fail more often. There are just a lot of users that answer “My hot end clogged” with “Get an E3D so you don’t have to worry about clogs”. However the hot end is basically a Makergear with a resistor heat block, so it is pretty outdated at this point. If they are sticking with PEEK they would be better off going with a J-Head style, but they have to weigh the extra machining against the need to keep the BOM cost as low as possible.

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How does Solidoodle compare to Printrbots? Are they better or worse? Anyone know?