The school I work for is buying 3 printers - the choices are solidoodle, makerbot and airwolf. Already dismissed buying the first 2 which leaves airwolf. Know pretty much nothing about them so would like some input from anyone with knowledge of quality, ease of use, etc. Especially any models to buy/avoid.
At the risk of invoking the wrath of the makerbot haters I’d suggest you go with them. They (Stratasys) has the most to lose if you’re experience isn’t positive over Solidoodle and Airwolf. There is also a longevity question but since the half-life of a 3D printer is currently about 18 months I don’t think that is a huge deal yet[1]
[1] You will probably end up buying / acquiring all new printers in 2 to 3 years and so if they go out of business it isn’t as big an issue.
@Chuck_McManis No way I am even considering makerbot. I will do without first.
Why not Printrbot simple in the low range, or Ultimaker or Bukobot in the upper range? Does it have to come fully assembled? I believe the Printrbot is available assembled, not sure the Bukobot. Not sure which Airwolf you’re looking at, but I would be cautious of printers using acrylic as structure. Acrylic tends to crack…
Heck if you’re considering $2k printers, why not a Lulzbot TAZ 4. Or if you’re not in a hurry, they’re planning a smaller user-friendly printer due for September I believe, with a sheet metal casing. No idea what price point that will be.
I hear you @Doug_Rector it is just my experience with schools and companies that can deal with schools. I am sure you know what you are doing but remind you that the school is interested in the pupil’s success.
Makerbot has moved to a model of disposable parts and printers. They are no longer interested in printers that are user serviceable and no longer interested in servicing the user. They feel that complaints against their new printers are simply attacks and everything is honky-dory. They will tell you the people that are complaining aren’t the people they marketed the printer for.
These are things the Makerbot corporate account executive told me. Not hear say or opinion. He compared the new hotend to your cars ecu. The difference is I don’t have to open my ecu and clean it over every time I fill up with gas.
If you want a solid printer the TAZ 4 from @LulzBot is a good bet. We have about 20 at work now and have only had a couple issues. One was they forgot to send a tool kit. Nothing like the makerbot that constantly jam up and break down.
Printerbot loves kids, teachers, schools and education. Our product line reflects this. We’d live the chance to be in the running. Our PrintrBot Learn section of the website is dedicated to education and I employ two teachers as consultants to gather/write open source lessons that are printer brand agnostic.
If we are out of the running, I can vouch for airwolf, bukobot, ultimaker and lulzbot. All good choices with different strengths. Value is our strength as well as a reputation to support your purchase. Prinrtbot has an edge in pricing and will get you way more bang for your buck than the competition.
Best of luck!
Brook
Well said @Brook_Drumm
Would love to use many of these - but I have been given a list - the list has 3 printers on it- I MUST choose 1 of these - solidoodle, makerbot or airwolf. I was not asked as to the best choices, the best for learning, the best value - I was told what I could choose from. So I really could use feedback on airwolf as while their specs look good I know nothing about them.
@Doug_Rector1 Your choice is really down to one according to what you’ve just posted, the Airwolf. My preference in that price range is the Lulzbot or the Ultimaker. It doesn’t look to me like the decision process was well vetted as those are different printers in terms of not only price but intended market. All machines will have issues from time to time and require maintanence.
I’ve experienced the Replicator in an education setting that has a high demand (the engineering schools at two major universities) and the Replicator models performed well under high demand conditions though they do seem to require more maintanence but they are running 12 hours a day plus in an environment where the users may not be experienced and cause some of the issues.
Whomever is making the decison on which machine to consider I think is making a mistake and being shortsighted by not considering the Printrbot line. Compared to the models listed the Printrbot is by far the best value.
Great conversation here and appreciate the positive comments about our LulzBot 3D printers! Just want to add that we have a very competitive education pricing program (http://www.lulzbot.com/education-pricing-program) and are widely used by schools around the world. Our sales team would be happy to answer any questions.
Any open source is a good decision!