Printrbot has a new sturdy Simple 3D printer on the market. The new Simple 3D printer has a build volume of 6″ x 6″ x 6″, a 0.4mm hot end nozzle that works with 1.75mm PLA filament, 100 micron printing resolution, and $599 price tag.
I find the new Simple 3D printer to be highly appealing, and have added it to my shopping list. Of course this means I would need to clear some benchtop space for the printer, a drawer for a roll or two of plastic filament, and part of my schedule to find the time to design and build a fume-extracting enclosure.
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Printerbot has as solid reputation as a relatively new 3D printer manufacturer, although I find the documentation on their website to be a little less complete than I would like.
The new Simple printer works with open-source and free software, which could be considered a pro or a con. On the plus side, it means that it works with non-proprietary software that is regularly updated. But on the down side, it means that the Simple 3D printer is not as perfectly beginner-friendly as other brands’ printers, which come with ready-to-go software packages.
Don’t get caught up on how this printer is in some places called a Metal Simple 3D Printer. The metal part is to show that its frame is made from metal and not cut sheets of wood or plastic.
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More Info(via Printrbot)
If you’re looking to save some money, there’s a kit version for $539.
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And if you want to save even more and can work with a smaller build volume (4″ x 4″ x 4″), the wood-framed Printrbot Simple kit is priced at $349.
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Is this the 3D printer that you’ve been waiting for? I don’t know, but it looks good to me.
Jotham M
I would definitely recommend reading one of the Make Magazine reviews first
http://makezine.com/volume/guide-to-3d-printing-2014/
Last year, I ended up buying the Afinia 3D printer based on their reviews and even though it was painfully expensive, it lived up to the review and does the job. I was looking for a turn-key printer that just worked to print out prototypes. Some of the other 3d printers are very cool but also very fiddly.
So, I think it depends on what you are trying to get out of it. Is it a neat tech toy or is destined to be a tool that just works.
Thankfully, the printers are getting better and cheaper by the day!
Stuart
Alfina, Ultimaker, and Hyrel are three brands I know I could trust.
For me, there’s a cost consideration. I want to spend enough on a 3D printer to get good print quality with few hassles, but a low enough amount where I don’t feel compelled to use it all the time to justify the expense.
That’s what I find the Printrbot Metal Simple so appealing.
Make’s eBook, which is largely compiled from their 2013 special issue and 2014 3D printing guide are great primers for beginners. My articles in each are mainly about printer technologies and materials, but I have full comprehension of 3D printer components and sub-systems.
Over the past few years, 3D printers aimed at DIY, hobbyist, and makers have gotten better and better, but costs skyrocketed. The Printrbot Metal Simple seems to be one of the newer ones which bring more premium features to the $500-$600 price range.
My point is that the Printrbot Metal Simple looks to be one of those models that are capable without being painfully expensive or prohibitive.
Jotham M
Sorry Stuart, I didn’t make the connection in my head that you were also authoring a lot of the 3d printer articles.
My main reason for posting was just to make sure that anyone considering buying a 3d printer reference the many great Make resources. I really like my 3d printer but it is not a magic device (though sometimes it feels like one). You have to design your models somewhat carefully, figure out the printing orientation that works best, mess with ABS slurrys, infill, supports, clean up the print, etc.
Once you finally get that part figured out, then you need to learn how to make 3d models which is a whole other ball of wax. I’m trying to teach myself Autodesk Fusion 360 because my needs exceeded the capabilities of some of the simpler tools. It is quite a challenge.
Regardless, this reminds me of the dawn of the Apple IIe/C-64, I look forward to the Macbook Pros of the 3d world!
I should also add that I really hope the CNC market shows similar innovation. Something like the Shapeoko with a better spindle would be amazing.
Stuart
No worries. I couldn’t make out whether your comment was aimed directly at me or other readers, so I made the assumption you were talking to me.
Make is indeed a great resource for 3D printing, and there are a couple of others.
Regarding desktop CNCs, I’ve been in the market for a good one for a while, but there aren’t many with desktop-sized form factors. The Othermill is new and will start shipping to non-Kickstarter orders later this year, but all of the example prints I’ve seen are of PCBs and other small and thin materials. There’s a new one on Kickstarter, but like the Othermill, pricing is quite high.
I have been slowly getting to know my Taig mill, and might eventually convert it to CNC, which shouldn’t be too difficult.
There are plenty of CNC routers out there, but as with CNC mills, there aren’t very many which are perfectly suited for the exact things I’m looking for.
Eventually, if/when I have the space, I could do a lot more with a CNC mill and a CNC router than a 3D printer, which is why I wanted to keep cost down with the printer.
I’ve said it before, but I don’t think we’ll ever see a 3D printer in everyone’s home.
Dave L.
To say I’ve been chomping at the bit for a 3D printer would be understating the situation, but I would like one capable of printing in ABS as well. Since the patents on stereolithography are expiring, THOSE should drop in price as well-and the resolution on them is finer. I’m keeping my powder dry for the moment. http://www.3ders.org/ is a good place to keep up with developments.
scottthetech
I’m new to this, but I thought that the point of PLA was no toxic fumes. So an exhaust cabinet wouldn’t be needed?
Stuart
I work in a small space, and would like to avoid particulate vapors if I can help it. PLA vapors might not be toxic, or as toxic as ABS, but they have the potential to be irritants.