This just got interesting.

3D Printing
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1

This just got interesting. This “patent pending” X/Y stage design is the same one used by the MOD-t (with the exception that the stage is actually captive rather than floating on top of the two pinion rods), but for 6x the price.

The few example prints off of this new printer, which describes itself as “the best value in professional-quality 3D printers” look pretty sub-standard to me (worse than some of the ones from the MOD-t). This plus the lack of a heated platform, small 5" cube build volume, and the lack of all the custom software tools, and it’s hard to see how they justify the price.

BTW, none of the necessary stats are on the kickstarter page, but you can find them here: http://tekma3d.com/Tekma3D_TM1_OnePage_v3.pdf. They’re not impressive.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/449224349/tekma3d-tm1-3d-printer

2

I do not understand why some new printers use a X/Y stage.
You use a X/Y stage if your tools is big and not mobile. But a printhead is small and the material is flexible.
If they use pellets and a hopper on top of the extruder then a X/Y stage is a good option, but not for a simple 3d printer.

3

More than that, they’re a fabricator, why did they stop at a 5x5 build plate? (Unless the ‘ServoSplines’ are only available to them in roughly 10" pieces. From their standpoint, all of the parts (except the spline stuff) could support a larger print volume.

If I’m spending X, and it will get me an 8" build volume…why would I consider a 5" build volume printer for the same price?