Annual Guide to 3D Printing 3D to Guide Annual Peek! Sneak

DREMEL’S IDEA BUILDER REVIEWED

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ANNUAL GUIDE TO 3D PRINTING 3D TO GUIDE ANNUAL PEEK! SNEAK

3D PRINTERS PRINTERS 3D Full Reviews of our Top 10 Printers 10 Top our of Reviews Full

Make: Volume 42 3D PRINTING DISNEY’S BIG HERO 6 22 3D PRINTER BUYER’S GUIDE 30 CYBERPUNK SPIKES 78 3D PRINT YOUR CT SCAN 83 DIY PICKLING 86 50999 0 183850 978-1-457-18385- US $9.99/CAN $9.99 ISBN: 978-1-457-18385-0 781457 ISBN 9 M42_030-2_SSopen_F1.indd 31

Jeffrey Braverman isting (andsometimescloned) hardware, steady improvements beingmadeto ex ality have beensmall;withslow and most ofthechangesto actualfunction- has hitanew plateau. for themainstreaming ofthistechnology Microsoft, Hasbro, Dremel) andthepush of majorbrands inallsectors (Adobe, tive fabrication hascaught theattention of new machines. It’s clear thataddi- 2014 HAS BEEN A FULL-THROTTLE but are they consumer-ready as suggest? and packaging their finish as The new printers are much more polished their predecessors than — SHOW JANUARY’S CONSUMER ELECTRONICS YEAR FOR 3D PRINTING SINCE Although there’s beenalot ofhoopla, (CES)introduced usto dozens - desktop computer packaging withbodies custom foam inserts reminiscent of plywood, now most are shipped with peanuts andwere madeoflaser-cut finish. Printers once arrived inpacking in machinepackaging andoverall fitand matic, consumer-product-style change weekend, Iimmediately noticed adra- were tested inourthird annualShootout gun to attract widerconsumer attention. and theirpolishedappearance hasbe- stage, butafew have blossomed early, machines are still intheadolescent software, anddocumentation. Many When unpacking the machines that When unpackingthemachinesthat

WRITTEN BY ANNA KAZIUNAS FRANCE giverse objects. We drafted aflexible from mere visualinspectionsofThin- Bastain, ourtest methodsadvanced 3D-printing research scientist Andreas Youngstown, Ohio.Withtheadditionof year’s new location atAmerica Makes in more thanamonthbefore ourtripto this all three Shootouts) beganpreparing (some ofwhomhave beenpresent at group of3D-printingtest-team veterans set bytheirconsumer-ready facades? their performance meettheexpectations machines are slowly evolving, butdoes made ofinjection-molded plastic. These We were keen to findout.Thecore makezine.com

31 10/19/14 8:32PM Special Section

evaluation protocol and created parametric An Old-Fashioned models that could be quickly adapted to any unexpected situation. These preparations, combined with the onsite, real-time, data- American Shootout crunching diligence of Kacie Hultgren (aka Pretty Small Things) has yielded quantified comparison data that we could only dream of previously. As you read through our reviews, you will see two distinctly different, complementary types of data: the quantified print-quality scores and the qualitative evaluation of our team’s personal experience with each machine. As with last year’s testing, each machine was run by several different 3DP experts to ensure that personal prefer- ences did not skew the results, and we systematically and anonymously contacted customer support. The materials, host, and

slicing software listed on each review are Gunther Kirsch manufacturer recommended, but we veri- fied hardware and software openness by tracking down the source files and their licenses. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished during this year’s testing, although there’s always room for improvement. We used Ultimachine orange PLA as a control vari- able (the team agreed that it was a solid, widely available choice, representative of what would commonly run through desktop machines), some exceptions had to be made (noted in our print-quality summary) for machines that refused to function or jammed without proprietary filament. In addition, our fused filament fabrica- DURING THE 2013 STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS, PRESIDENT OBAMA tion XY and Z resonance mechanical tests referenced the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute did not yield the granularity they were (NAMII) in Youngstown, Ohio as a new program to look at for economic designed to collect and were downgraded inspiration. A year and a half later, Make: chose to conduct its annual to weighted Pass/Fail scores. Many of our 3D-printer tests at their location as a way to help connect a traditional SLA tests proved to be too far too ambi- manufacturing community with the Maker Movement. tious and were abandoned. That may sound Located inside a once-shuttered furniture factory, the institute, re- bleak, but it was all part of the plan — as named America Makes in October 2013, honors the city’s industrial past Andreas relates on page 34, these models while embracing a technological future. Aiming to become a center point were designed to fail. of research and development for the rapid-moving world of 3D printing, Why does all this matter? Because — as it teaches its workers to be experts in all areas of additive manufacturing Kacie states on page 36 — “consumers — from desktop to industrial — while offering knowledge and facilities to want accurate prints at the push of a but- companies and universities who are looking to bolster their capabilities. ton” and consumer adoption of 3DP (with As promised, the venue and its collection of top-level machines, able lower prices and widespread technological to turn powdered metal or nylon into anything from rocket nozzles to transformations that their adoption could windmills, is very inspiring. After our weekend of testing, America Makes’ enable) is directly dependent on how we founding director Ralph Resnick opened the doors to the public. The look answer two key questions: “What is print of excitement on the faces of the visitors, many of them hopeful for an quality?” and “What should we expect from economic resurgence in the Steel Valley, made it clear that the program our 3D printers?” is headed in the right direction. —Mike Senese

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M42_030-2_SSopen_F1.indd 32 10/19/14 8:32 PM Special Section Buyer’s Guide | Fused Filament Printers | Ultimaker 2

Ultimaker | ultimaker.com

Price as Tested $2,499 Build Volume 230×225×205mm ULTIMAKER 2 Bed Style Heated glass Best in Shootout for overall print quality Temperature Control Yes Materials PLA, ABS (others encouraged) WRITTEN BY ELI RICHTER Available at bit.ly/ultimaker-2-printer Print Untethered? SD card, OctoPrint compatible Onboard Controls? Yes Host Software Cura Slicer CuraEngine OS Mac, Linux, Windows Open Software? Cura/CuraEngine: AGPLv3 Open Hardware? Auxiliary design files: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 Brian Kaldorf

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Ultimaker | ultimaker.com ALTHOUGH ULTIMAKER’S SECOND was at the head of the pack for most of our PRINT SCORES test prints, notably those that tested the OFFERING RECENTLY CELEBRATED ITS Accuracy 1 2 3 4 5 FIRST BIRTHDAY, its performance in our physical stability of the machine. Tests with Backlash 1 2 3 4 5 Shootout was head and shoulders above lower scores, such as the Overhang and the rest of the FFF machines. This is a Bridging prints, were hurt by the aggressive Bridging 1 2 3 4 5 great machine for those who want to load speeds and could be vastly improved with Overhangs 1 2 3 4 5 a model and print without spending hours some minor tweaking. Fine Features 1 2 3 4 5 setting up and tweaking parameters, but it Surface Curved 1 2 3 4 5 still gives the advanced user enough control FEATURE PACKED, OCTOPRINT Surface General 1 2 3 4 5 to get even more out of the Ultimaker 2. COMPATIBLE Tolerance 1 2 3 4 5 Ultimaker also maintains its own integrated The Ultimaker 2 has all of the features one 3D-printing ecosystem, with an online should expect of a class-leading printer: XY Resonance FAIL PASS model library at YouMagine.com and web- a heated glass build platform, illuminated Z Resonance FAIL PASS based modeling tool UltiShaper 3D. build area, onboard controls, two PLA cooling fans, with a frame that is sturdy and PRO TIPS GREAT OUT OF THE BOX attractive. It’s also OctoPrint compatible, Reduce printing speed for small parts The Ultimaker 2 ships almost entirely pre- so wireless printing (and slicing via Cura) is or tweak settings in Cura to set minimum assembled and ready to go. Simply remove possible with the user addition and setup of layer time. the (awesome) glass build plate from its a Raspberry Pi and a wi-fi dongle. Absent Use a glue stick to keep large overnight protective bubble wrap, and secure it with from this feature list is an autoleveler and prints adhered to the platform — brims the premounted aluminum clips. second extruder, which though and rafts can be difficult to remove. Snap on the filament holder, in development, was not yet Back filament from hot end manually power it on, run the leveling ONE HAS TO available as of press time. If (heat nozzle, move material, remove tube procedure, load the fila- a dual extruder is on your and trim before executing “change filament, and this bot’s ready DIG DEEP TO immediate must-have ment procedure”) to avoid melted chunks to go. Bed leveling is per- FIND THINGS list, then you may want to jamming filament feed. formed manually using NOT TO LIKE wait. However, Ultimaker the familiar “paper thick- ABOUT THE has always included WHY TO BUY ness” ritual, and onboard ULTIMAKER 2. a spot in their extruder Best in Shootout print quality. Killer heat- menus on the OLED screen carriage for the possible ed glass bed is perfect for PLA prints, also quickly guide the user through addition of a second one, so up- works well with ABS, Bridge Nylon, PETT the process. While auto-bed level- grades of this machine are feasible. and T-glase. Beginner-friendly software, ing would be a welcome feature, the 3-point but also offers complete setting control. system (versus a 4-point system where two NOT QUITE PERFECT, BUT Onboard controls allow for fine-tuning of knobs must be adjusted in tandem) works DARNED CLOSE temp and speed settings midprint. very well and the adjustment knobs turn One has to dig deep to find things not to smoothly, making fine-tuning a breeze. like about the Ultimaker 2. During the Models are prepared for printing with Shootout, we had two thirds of the build How’d it print? Cura, Ultimaker’s open-source software, area LEDs fail (I told you, we’re digging and files are written directly to an SD card. deep). Feeding material into the extruder Software configuration is simple: Just se- can be tricky and the fans on the hot end lect your printer from a list of preconfigured assembly are a little loud — unfortunate options. For those who want to just load a for this otherwise quiet printer. Ultimaker model and print, Cura’s default streamlined was responsive when we anonymously “Quickpoint” mode displays three basic contacted their support about the faulty print quality options: fast, normal, and high LED strips, offering advice to troubleshoot quality. More adventurous users can switch and replacement units. the software into “Expert Mode,” which opens up a multitude of tweakable settings. CONCLUSION ELI RICHTER is an engineer by

Brian Kaldorf day and maker by night. He is a Normal mode works great for most prints, Makers on a tight budget may want to look core member of HackPittsburgh but it can be a bit fast for smaller models. elsewhere, but few machines can beat the where he manages and main- Prints are run directly from a computer SD Ultimaker 2’s combination of high-quality, tains their 3D-printer program. Other projects include running card using the onboard controls. hassle-free printing with easy-to-use soft- HackPittsburgh’s PPPRS racing team, Hack to the Using the stock settings, this printer ware and an attractive, compact package. Future. elijahrichter.wordpress.com

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M42_038-9_BG-Ultim2_F2.indd 39 10/18/14 5:49 PM Special Section Buyer’s Guide | Fused Filament Printers | TAZ 4

TAZ 4 | lulzbot.com

Price as Tested $2,195 Build Volume 298×275×250mm Bed Style Heated glass Temperature Control? Yes Materials ABS, PLA, HIPS, PVA, and TAZ 4 wood filaments Thoughtful construction, great prints, Print Untethered? SD card, OctoPrint libre hardware WRITTEN BY MATT STULTZ compatible Onboard controls? Yes Host Software Printrun Slicer Slic3r OS Mac, Linux, Windows Open Software? Third-party software Open Hardware? GPLv3 and CC-BY-SA 4.0 Brian Kaldorf

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TAZ 4 | lulzbot.com PRINT SCORES screw holes are either tapped directly into THE LULZBOT TAZ 4 WAS HIGH ON MY Accuracy 1 2 3 4 5 LIST OF PRINTERS TO TEST THIS YEAR. I the plastic or have nuts on the backside Backlash 1 2 3 4 5 have always been impressed with the to hold the bolts in place. The TAZ uses engineering and attention to detail that press-fit brass threaded inserts that ensure Bridging 1 2 3 4 5 LulzBot has put into its machines. all connections stay rock solid. Instead of Overhangs 1 2 3 4 5 Having spent some time on the original using the standard steel roller bearings for Fine Features 1 2 3 4 5 TAZ during last year’s testing, I wanted to linear motion, the TAZ uses igus polymer Surface Curved 1 2 3 4 5 see what improvements had been made. I bushings. These bushings run quieter and Surface General 1 2 3 expected a printer that the hackers would without lubrication, resulting in zero main- Tolerance 1 2 3 4 5 love — capable of producing large prints tenance and a longer lifespan. that are perfect for demos and parts. I XY Resonance FAIL PASS didn’t expect a machine that would print KEEPING IT OPEN SOURCE Z Resonance FAIL PASS high-quality prints on par with any other As more printers hit the market as closed- machine on the market. I was pleasantly source projects, LulzBot has continued PRO TIPS surprised! its commitment to manufacturing a fully The quick-fit extruder makes upgrades open-source printer. All of the files — their a snap. LulzBot already makes a flexible MINOR ASSEMBLY, FOOLPROOF source files, schematics, and code — are filament extruder and promises a dual CONNECTORS available for you to fix, build, and redesign extruder upgrade soon. Unpacking the TAZ 4, you will find any portion of the machine. They Even if the TAZ isn’t for you, download the printer mostly assembled also support a large number the manual at bit.ly/taz-manual, it’s but with a few of the parts of the slicing and control packed with info on Slic3r and 3DP tips. packed separately for easy SOMETIMES software options that Download the Slic3r config files from shipment. You will also IT’S BEST TO are available for the OS LulzBot’s site to get printing in a wide find a quick-setup guide, SPEND YOUR TIME printers. LulzBot’s site variety of materials quickly. a larger manual, a spool ON ENGINEERING includes config files for of filament, and an excel- RATHER THAN the popular open-source WHY TO BUY lent toolkit. Assembly is a GOOD LOOKS. Slic3r engine tuned for nu- Large print area with a heated glass bed snap — the TAZ 4 uses high- merous materials, making makes print removal easy and supports quality connectors that make it simple to start printing in most materials. It’s totally open source, the wiring foolproof. Most of the ABS, PLA, NinjaFlex, and others. extremely well engineered, has a quick- parts can be assembled by hand, but the Even the printed manual that comes exchange extruder system, an amazing few that can’t are easily completed with the with the TAZ is open source. If you get noth- manual, and a top-quality toolkit. It included toolkit. With the help of the quick- ing else out of this review, download (bit.ly/ produces excellent prints in a wide variety start guide, you will be up and running with taz-manual) and take a look. Many sections of materials and has an extruder upgrade your first prints in about an hour. are nonprinter specific and are perfect for made for flexible filaments. anyone interested in 3D printing. If you use BY ENGINEERS, FOR ENGINEERS Slic3r this is a must-read! In a field of printers that are starting to How'd it print? spend a serious amount of effort on their CONCLUSION design aesthetics, the LulzBot TAZ 4 isn’t So who is the TAZ 4 a perfect printer for? going to be winning any beauty pageants — While I’m hesitant to say this is a printer for it’s been designed by engineers for a first-time printer owner, the quick-start engineers. The creators took time to not guide and manual make it easy for anyone only figure out how to do the things they to get this machine up and running. Mak- wanted but how to do them the best way. ers, hackers, engineers, and artists will feel The spool holder is hinged to hide away right at home with this machine. The large, during transportation or storage, but heated glass build platform, ability to print swivels down and locks in place for use. untethered, and ease of modification will MATT STULTZ is a community

Brian Kaldorf The filament guide snaps onto its holder give them everything they are looking for. and can adjust with the movements of the Sometimes it’s best to spend your time on organizer and founder of both 3D Printing Providence and machine. In most printers we find that engineering rather than good looks. HackPittsburgh. He’s a professional software developer, which helps fuel his passion for being a maker! 3DPPVD.org

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M42_040-1_BG-TAZ4_F1.indd 41 10/16/14 12:47 PM Special Section Buyer’s Guide | Fused Filament Printers | Printrbot Simple Metal

Printrbot Simple Metal | printrbot.com

Price as Tested $599 (plus $39 for PRINTRBOT metal handle) Build Volume 150×150×150mm Bed Style Unheated steel (heated upgrade available) SIMPLE METAL Temperature Control Yes Last year’s portable “best value” returns with Materials PLA (ABS if heated bed) Print Untethered? MicroSD, OctoPrint some serious upgrades WRITTEN BY LUIS RODRIGUEZ compatible Available at bit.ly/printrbot-metal Onboard Controls? No, but LCD add-on available Host Software Repetier-Host Slicer Slic3r OS Mac, Windows, Linux Open Software? Third-party software Open Hardware? Auxiliary design files: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 Brian Kaldorf

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THE ALL-METAL CONSTRUC- community forum (printrbottalk.

Printrbot Simple Metal | printrbot.com TION OF THE PRINTRBOT com), and it’s common to the PRINT SCORES see the Printrbot’s founder, SIMPLE METAL feels more THIS PRINTER Accuracy 1 2 3 4 5 like a professional power Brook Drumm, answering Backlash 1 2 3 4 5 tool than an entry-level IS PACKED WITH questions directly. That’s 3D printer. The weight of FEATURES AND a nice customer service Bridging 1 2 3 4 5 this small, portable print- RIVALS MACHINES touch. There’s also a Overhangs 1 2 3 4 5 er gives it a real sense of COSTING MUCH great education section Fine Features 1 2 3 4 5 quality, and the inclusion of MORE. for teachers and students Surface Curved 1 2 3 4 5 a now-standard auto- (learn.printrbot.com). Surface General 1 2 3 4 5 leveling bed makes it a real step Tolerance 1 2 3 4 5 up from its wooden predecessors. A FEW MINOR ISSUES This printer is packed with features and The Simple Metal is pretty great, but it’s XY Resonance FAIL PASS rivals machines costing much more. not perfect. The initial adjustment of the Z Resonance FAIL PASS auto-level probe is a tad cumbersome. It SAME GREAT VALUE, NOW ALL METAL takes a bit of double-hand holding to adjust PRO TIPS Upgrades from the original Simple (still the probe while fighting the tension on the During Slic3r setup, measure your sold as an upgraded “Maker’s Kit”) include wiring in the close quarters around the filament diameter. Add 0.1mm to avoid a larger build platform that measures a adjustment nuts. The inclusion of a laser- a known bug and perfectly adjust your healthy 150×150×150mm, a powder-coated cut wrench helps, and is a nice, sentimental extrusion. steel frame, thicker polished guide rods, reminder of Printrbot's beginnings. In Print the fan shroud from printrbot. large linear bearings that are seated in ma- addition, it can be hard to tell if the printer com/project/simple-metal, it will greatly chined aluminum carriage, and an all-alu- is turned on until you notice the glow from improve every print thereafter. minum, direct-drive extruder that includes underneath the machine. This was not Avoid Repetier-Host’s “write to SD” — a UBIS hot end with interchangeable tips. immediately apparent in a well-lit room. We manually transfer files to SD from your Our assembled review unit also came with also had a serious nozzle clog issue during computer’s SD reader. an aluminum handle ($39 upgrade) with an an 8-hour overnight print that resulted in integrated printed spool holder (free). the filament forcing its way out of the ex- WHY TO BUY truder in a bizarrely perfect, spring-like coil. It’s feature-packed, portable, and solid- MANY OPTIONAL UPGRADES Although it’s a common open-source ly built. With its high print scores and AVAILABLE toolchain issue not directly related to many available upgrades, the Simple Metal With the healthy-sized bed you can print Printrbot, it can be a frustrating experience is a great value for beginners and ex- many substantially sized items in PLA and for a first-time user to walk through Slic3r’s perts alike. nylon on the unheated surface. ABS is sup- multiple setup screens and dialog boxes. ported if you add the optional heated bed I’d like to see Cura formally recommended upgrade. In fact, the heated bed upgrade as another open-source option, as the ($99) and the interchangeable tips (ranging Printrbot community already recommends from 0.25 to 0.75mm for $8 each) allow you it. I also was not impressed with the “write to experiment with just about any material. to SD” function of Repetier-Host; I took How’d it print? You can print tethered via Repetier-Host, the microSD card out and loaded it into untethered via onboard microSD card, or the computer to transfer the file manually, add onboard controls with the Printrbot although it’s a bit hard to access. LCD control kit accessory ($65). Don’t forget to print the fan shroud upgrade, it enabled CONCLUSION our test unit to attain perfect scores on the This printer is a joy and doesn’t feel like an Bridging and Overhang tests. entry-level machine at all. I recommend this printer daily to visitors to Science City, IMPROVED DOCUMENTATION, explaining it has many features of higher- GREAT SUPPORT priced printers (plus some they don’t offer). The Simple’s setup documentation is This resonates with educators and budget- LUIS RODRIGUEZ is the lead

Brian Kaldorf organizer for Maker Faire Kansas professional and thorough. Due to the conscious parents. It’s also perfect for my City and has been 3D printing amount of information presented, it can friends at the local hackerspace, many since 2009, when he got his first feel a bit overwhelming, but it’s a fantastic of whom have spent quite a bit more on MakerBot Cupcake. Luis works at Science City, where he manages reference when needed. Printrbot also has machines that don’t have the print quality the Maker Studio and Spark!Lab. a robust help site (help.printrbot.com) and or the fit and finish of the Simple Metal. unionstation.org/sciencecity

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M42_042-3_BG-sMetal_F1.indd 43 10/16/14 12:32 PM M42_044-5_BG-Ditto_F1.indd 44 DITTO PRO DITTO Special Section Special Section affordable, and tinkerer-friendly. forEasy beginners. Plus, attractive, 44 WRITTEN BY JOHNABELLA makershed.com Buyer’s Guide Buyer’s Fused Filament Printers Filament |Fused Ditto Pro |Ditto DITTO PRO OpenHardware?No OpenSoftware?No OSMac,Windows Slicer IntegratedCuraEngine HostSoftwareTinkerine Suite OnboardControls?Yes Print Untethered?SDcard,OctoPrint Materials PLA Temperature ControlYes Bed Style Unheatedglass BuildVolume 220×165×220mm Price asTested $1,899 compatible

tinkerine.com 10/16/14 1:33PM

Brian Kaldorf makezine.com/3d-evolution

BACK FOR A SECOND YEAR, VANCOU- software, but it’s an available option in the VER’S TINKERINE STUDIOS HAS ADDED LCD menus. PRINT SCORES a shiny new printer to their lineup, the Accuracy 1 2 3 4 5 Ditto Pro. We put the bright white machine LACKING DETAILED DOCUMENTATION Backlash 1 2 3 4 5 through its paces and found that there’s a One of the biggest improvements across lot to like. the field of tested printers this year has Bridging 1 2 3 4 5 been in the area of documentation; unfor- Overhangs 1 2 3 4 5 UNIQUE OPEN C FRAME tunately this has not been the case for the Fine Features 1 2 3 4 5 Keeping with the open design of their Ditto Pro. The primary machine documen- Surface Curved 1 2 3 4 5 tation for this model was a nicely designed, previous Ditto and Litto models, the new Surface General 1 2 3 4 5 Pro has a very accessible “open C frame” but extremely brief, quick-start guide Tolerance 1 2 3 4 5 build area. It’s great for demonstrations, and an 18-page Tinkerine Suite software as onlookers can easily see how it works. manual. With other companies providing XY Resonance FAIL PASS Fashioned from white Dibond panels, it bound 50-100 page guides, supplying so Z Resonance FAIL PASS features bright LED lighting and a little in the way of documentation is built-in graphical LCD screen a significant shortcoming. PRO TIPS with an SD card slot. The WE PUT The FAQ section on the To get your prints to stick to the platform, extruder hot end is well THE BRIGHT Tinkerine website covers cover it with blue tape or use a glue stick. designed, and the filament some topics such as print WHITE MACHINE WHY TO BUY loading and changing THROUGH ITS PACES adhesion, but it doesn’t was easy following the offer concrete direc- Simplified software (but configurable on-screen prompts. AND FOUND THAT tion, instead suggesting settings) that produces great prints with The Ditto Pro is one of THERE’S A LOT only that something may nice Surface Finish and solid Overhangs. the few systems where the TO LIKE. be needed. Similarly, the The Ditto Pro takes G-code, so you can filament spool is kept within FAQ suggests that in certain use whatever slicer you like. the confines of the printer. It’s a circumstances the stepper driver small detail, but a game changer when voltage may need to be tuned, but offers you’re pressed for space. no direction about what the process entails or how to go about it. FOURTH HIGHEST IN OVERALL PRINT QUALITY CONTROL ISSUES This machine scored the fourth high- Throughout the course of our testing, the est overall print quality in our tests, with Ditto Pro performed extremely well, and did especially impressive performance in the not experience any jams or clogs. However, Overhang and Surface Finish tests. The testers consistently reported that the LCD Ditto Pro’s build area of 215×160×205mm control panel knob was way too sensitive, falls just below average size, and it comes often making it hard to select the correct equipped with a removable, unheated, item from the menu. This ranged from a glass build plate, making this machine PLA nuisance to borderline unusable through- How’d it print? only. Leveling the build plate was easy using out the weekend and was a source of the on-screen direction and the three- frustration for many testers. point adjustment knobs, but our testers had problems with print adhesion until we CONCLUSION began using glue sticks. The Ditto Pro is a great-looking machine with print performance to match. It scored INTUITIVE BESPOKE SOFTWARE as well as some of the best printers we Tinkerine supplies their own bespoke soft- tested, while far less expensive than ware for their printers, known as Tinkerine most of them. If the documentation were Suite. It provides a user-friendly interface improved significantly, we believe that the while tucking away the more technical combination of good design and easy to use JOHN ABELLA is a maker of

Brian Kaldorf things, obsessive hobbyist, 3D details, and uses Ultimaker’s open-source software would make it ideal for new users. printing and CNC enthusiast. Cura engine under the hood. Many of our As it stands, the Ditto Pro is probably best Maker Faire New York 3D Printer testers found the software to be intuitive for the user willing to get a little more in- Village wrangler and lead instructor at BotBuider.net. John and easy to use. There’s no provision for volved in the care and feeding of the system has written for all three Make: manually controlling the printer from the — a tinkerer, and maybe that’s the point. 3D printer guides.

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M42_044-5_BG-Ditto_F1.indd 45 10/16/14 1:33 PM Special Section Buyer’s Guide | Fused Filament Printers | BeeTheFirst

BeeTheFirst | beeverycreative.com

Price as Tested $2,172 Build Volume 190x135x125mm BEETHEFIRST Bed Style Unheated acrylic Smartly designed consumer-grade hardware, Temperature Control No Materials BeeTheFirst PLA only with a little something extra Print Untethered? Unplug USB, wi-fi via BeeConnect WRITTEN BY CHRIS YOHE & ANNA KAZIUNAS FRANCE Onboard Controls? No Available at bit.ly/ultimaker-2-printer Host Software BeeSoft Slicer Integrated CuraEngine OS Mac, Windows, Linux Open Software? BeeSoft GPL v2.0, BeeTheFirst firmware GPL v3.0 Open Hardware? No

LOOKING FOR A TRULY CONSUMER-GRADE PRINTER THAT INTE- GRATES LOOKS AND PORTABILITY WITH SMART DESIGN? You’ll find it in BeeTheFirst. Portugal’s BeeVery- Creative provides a fantastic out-of-the-box experience that allows anyone to painlessly enter the world of desktop 3D printing. Neophytes will be up and running quickly and this portable, polished machine is sure to look great on any desktop or coffee table, but even seasoned veterans will find some interesting software Easter eggs if they peek below the shiny surface.

BEAUTY AND BRAINS Upon unboxing, it’s immediately clear that this is something new. But it’s not just the hip, modern, minimalist design, the clever built-in handle, or magnetically removable build plate that piqued our interest — we were impressed by the forward-thinking in-

dustrial and user-experience design. Brian Kaldorf

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BeeTheFirst | beeverycreative.com OCCAM’S RAZOR STRAIGHTFORWARD SOFTWARE, PRINT SCORES It’s refreshing to see a machine that’s been NO ADVANCED SETTINGS Accuracy 1 2 3 4 5 designed from the ground up with equal fo- When it comes to printing, they couldn’t Backlash 1 2 3 4 5 cus on aesthetics, ergonomics, user experi- have made it simpler. The custom BeeSoft ence, and functionality. BeeTheFirst also host software has all of the standard place- Bridging 1 2 3 4 5 defies the current trend of adding fancy ment, scaling, and rotation options, but Overhangs 1 2 3 4 5 extruder sensors and auto-levelers to solve the print dialog deliberately restricts layer Fine Features 1 2 3 4 5 common printer problems, instead applying height and infill to a few simple choices Surface Curved 1 2 3 4 5 the tenet of Occamʼs razor: Good in order to streamline the experi- Surface General 1 2 3 4 5 design solves problems in the ence. BeeSoft is in active Tolerance 1 2 3 4 5 simplest way possible, development and provides XY Resonance FAIL PASS instead of cramming in WITH HAND-HOLDING both regular and beta more tech. releases frequently. Z Resonance FAIL PASS The cleverly FOR BEGINNERS AND Since the Shootout, integrated, mag- A GITHUB REPO FULL the low (0.3mm) PRO TIPS netic/kinematically OF OPEN-SOURCE and high (0.1mm) The BeeConnect software is continually coupled bed with SOFTWARE FOR slicing options have updated and released in two parallel ver- large accessible ADVANCED USERS, been expanded to sions, one production, one beta. Check out knobs is hands down BEETHEFIRST HAS include a 0.05mm the beta for the newest features. the easiest we have SOMETHING FOR setting and additional BeeTheFirst can print with Afinia’s new ever leveled. The thick EVERYONE. infill density options, PLA (green worked well for us) acrylic build platform sits plus the ability to print Want to print wirelessly? Grab a upon a sturdy metal arm, untethered after kicking off a Raspberry Pi and check out “Bee- which unlike the flimsy plastic print via USB. Connect”: github.com/beeverycreative parts present on many desktop Shootout prints run at 0.1mm ranked machines, will never warp or twist. We within the top third of printers tested. This WHY TO BUY popped it off and on dozens of times machine also had very little Backlash, but An easy-to-use, attractive, portable throughout our testing without the need had some trouble with Fine Features and machine with stripped-down, custom to re-level. scored poorly on the Tolerance test. open-source software. Uses smart hardware design (instead of sensors) CLEAR BEGINNER DOCUMENTATION EASTER EGGS! to make bed leveling easy. The user guide is well written, brief, and Hardcore enthusiasts don’t despair! While surprisingly informative. It gives a concise not advertised, there are plenty of software breakdown of the machine and clearly hacking opportunities under the hood. sets new-user expectations. There are Here’s where it gets interesting: BeeSoft’s also numerous troubleshooting videos on interface is derived from ReplicatorG and How’d it print? BeeVeryCreative’s site, including how to slices with CuraEngine. Both BeeSoft and take apart the case (it’s easier than it looks) the BeeTheFirst firmware are completely to clear a jammed extruder. open-source and GPL-licensed: point your browser to github.com/beeverycreative and MATERIALS MATTER clone away! Another interesting design feature is the They’ve also forked OctoPrint and cre- tiny, magnetically attached internal spool ated their own BeeTF variant of OctoPi that that holds proprietary (but unchipped) fila- works with the BeeTF’s speedy R2C2 printer ment. Like Afinia, BeeVeryCreative seeks controller (ARM 32bits running at 100MHz) to eliminate nozzle jamming by operating over USB native. They plan to offer their own at higher temperatures of about 220ºC. BeeConnect Raspberry Pi kit, followed by CHRIS YOHE Software developer We fed ours non-OEM orange Ultimachine assembled versions and mobile apps. by day, hardware hacker by night, which produced part of a very stringy Chris is a man of many gadgets. A member of HackPittsburgh, he print before jamming completely. Bee- CONCLUSION is an avid 3D printing enthusiast VeryCreative materials have been limited With hand-holding for beginners and a and like many others is amassing to eight colors of PLA, but recent software GitHub repo full of open-source software a slowly growing army of manufacturing minions. From rugby, to tailgating, to 3D printing he’s update options reveal that more are on for advanced users, BeeTheFirst has some- always looking for an excuse to make the world a Brian Kaldorf the way soon. thing for everyone. better, or at least more interesting, place.

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M42_046-7_BGbThe1st_F1.indd 47 10/19/14 6:57 PM Buyer’s Guide | Fused Filament Printers | Afinia H480 Special Section

PRINT SCORES AFINIA H480 WRITTEN BY JOSH AJIMA Accuracy 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent out-of-the-box experience, great for educators Backlash 1 2 3 4 5 Bridging 1 2 3 4 5 Overhangs 1 2 3 4 5 AFINIA H480 | Afinia.com Fine Features 1 2 3 4 5 Price as Tested $1,299 Surface Curved 1 2 3 4 5 Build Volume 140×140×135mm Surface General 1 2 3 4 5 Bed Style Heated perf board Temperature Control? No Tolerance 1 2 3 4 5 Materials Afinia PLA, ABS XY Resonance FAIL PASS Print Untethered? Unplug USB Z Resonance FAIL PASS Onboard controls? No Software Afinia 3D PRO TIPS Slicer Afinia 3D Load models and configure settings OS Mac, Windows while preheating to save time. Open Software? No Use BuildTak to eliminate perforated Open Hardware? No print bottoms. You can’t turn off support completely, but you can minimize the support angle Available at bit.ly/Alfina-H480 to 10° to eliminate most support struc- tures. Use “Print Setup” menu (3D Print AFINIA CONTINUES TO LIVE UP TO ITS ances. Other printers may have flashier menu > setup) “EASY TO USE” REPUTATION WITH THEIR interfaces or larger build volumes, but the UPDATED H-SERIES PRINTER. The H480 Afinia’s Surface Finish and ease of use WHY TO BUY printer may appear identical to the previous keeps it in the top 10. Great surface finish with “fine” print model, but it now includes automatic plat- settings. Automatic platform leveling and form leveling and nozzle height detection. NOW WITH (PROPRIETARY) PLA nozzle height detection remove begin- The Afinia (and its Up brethren) lack user- ner frustration. Good for educators, as AUTOMATIC CALIBRATION controlled temperature settings and print reliable design and easy-to-use software Leveling a print bed and setting the extru- ABS at a much higher temp (260°) than oth- mean successful prints with less training der height are two of the biggest challenges er printers. This requires Afinia-produced and support issues. Includes a 1-year for beginners. The Afinia H480 uses a high-temperature filament to perform manufacturer’s warranty, with an optional magnetically attached sensor to perform properly. Afinia has also begun to produce 1-year extension. Includes accessories kit. automatic platform level calibration. A sen- its own brand of specially formulated PLA, sor attached to the extruder probes the bed but color selection is (at press time) limited. at 9 different points and a separate sensor It’s not recommended to use non-Afinia/Up How'd it print? determines the correct nozzle height. Even filaments with this machine. experienced users may be surprised at how reliable prints are when these important NOT FOR TINKERERS calibration steps are automated. The same features that make the H-Series a top “Just Hit Print” choice will steer SIMPLE SETUP, GREAT PRINT SURFACES hardware hackers away. The closed design The Afinia software is easy to use, provid- means that there are limited options to ing all the essentials for slicing and printer tweak or tinker with the machine. The Afinia control in an uncluttered interface. The software only allows limited choices for software defaults create rafts and supports layer height, temperature and percent infill. which, combined with the heated bed, gives JOSH AJIMA is a high school technology resource teacher great print results, although the built-in CONCLUSION and a K12 makerspace and 3D slicer didn’t fare well with very small posi- Overall, the updated Afinia H480 offers a printing advocate. He created the tive Fine Features or Bridging. It excels at reliable print experience that should appeal Makerspace Starter Kit, runs a STEM camp makerspace, and producing high-quality Surface Finish and to the growing ranks of new 3D printer sponsors a 3D printing club.

Brian Kaldorf did well with the articulated robot Toler- users. designmaketeach.com

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M42_049_BG-Afinia_F1.indd 49 10/21/14 11:30 AM Buyer’s Guide | Fused Filament Printers | Zortrax M200 Special Section

PRINT SCORES ZORTRAX M200 Accuracy 1 2 3 4 5 Unique case and lots of extras WRITTEN BY NICK PARKS Backlash 1 2 3 4 5 Bridging 1 2 3 4 5 Overhangs 1 2 3 4 5 Fine Features 1 2 3 4 5 Surface Curved 1 2 3 4 5 Surface General 1 2 3 4 5 Tolerance 1 2 3 4 5 ZORTRAX M200 | zortrax.com XY Resonance FAIL PASS Price as Tested $1,990 Z Resonance FAIL PASS Build Volume 200×200×185mm Bed Style Heated perf board PRO TIPS Temperature Control? No Zortrax owners get reduced prices Materials ABS on filament, lowering each 1Kg spool of Print Untethered? SD card standard filament to $19.99. Onboard controls? Yes Host Software Z-Suite WHY TO BUY Slicer Z-Suite Auto calibration, easy-to-use software. OS Mac, Windows Great for workplaces where quality, reli- Open Software? No ably, and ease of use are highly important. Open Hardware? No An excellent choice for people who need the durability of ABS without all of the warping and frustration. THE ZORTRAX M200 COMBINES SUPERB NO TEMP CONTROL, ABS ONLY PRINT QUALITY WITH A LARGE BUILD The Zortrax software does not allow for volume, a built-in screen and SD card user temperature control and is built for reader for untethered printing, and requires printing in ABS only. I’ve always found ABS almost no maintenance. This machine to be smelly, warp-prone, and generally comes with a large variety of useful extras difficult to work with, but the M200 does a including a complete hot end, two extra great job of preventing warping by using a nozzles, and a toolkit that includes every- perforated bed and raft system that holds thing required for maintaining the machine. the prints down tight. Zortrax makes two lines of filament, ALL-ALUMINUM EXTERIOR, UNIQUE Z-ABS and Z-ULTRAT, both of which are How'd it print? 8-ROD GANTRY formulated to work well on the M200. The build quality of this machine is abso- The Z-ABS is just standard ABS filament lutely amazing. The M200 is made entirely that works well and costs only $20. The of aluminum, which allows the machine to Z-ULTRAT has a high hardness and low be both light and rigid. It also has a unique elasticity level of deformation, but costs gantry setup that uses four X-axis and $50. We ran the test prints in Ultimachine four Y-axis rods, which also increases the ABS, which yielded beautiful prints, but I machine’s rigidity. found that support material wasn’t as easy The Zortrax doesn’t have auto leveling, to remove as it was when using the fila- instead the bed is equipped with five con- ments designed for the machine. ductive squares that the M200 uses to level NICK PARKS is an engineer- the bed and calibrate the nozzle height, CONCLUSION ing intern at Make: Labs and is studying mechanical engineering prompting the user to either tighten or I recommend the Zortrax M200 to anyone at Santa Rosa Junior College. loosen the bed-leveling adjustment knobs. looking for a machine that can print large, He likes to build and take apart These features, coupled with the perforated precise, and durable prints without requir- things to make products better or create something new. He enjoys board, allow the prints to maintain strong ing a lot of time to fiddle with settings or working at Make: magazine and likes to help other people build projects of their own. Gunther Kirsch adhesion to the bed while printing. breaking the bank.

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M42_051_BGzortrax_F1.indd 51 10/17/14 4:35 PM Special Section Buyer’s Guide | Fused Filament Printers | Replicator 5th Generation

REPLICATOR | makerbot.com PRINT SCORES Price as Tested $2,899 Accuracy 1 2 3 4 5 REPLICATOR Build Volume 252×199×150mm TH Backlash 1 2 3 4 5 Bed Style Unheated plastic 5 GENERATION Bridging 1 2 3 4 5 “Feature-packed” is putting it mildly Temperature Control? Yes Materials MakerBot PLA Overhangs 1 2 3 4 5 WRITTEN BY JOHN ABELLA Print Untethered? USB Stick, wi-fi Fine Features 1 2 3 4 5 / networked app Surface Curved 1 2 3 4 5 Onboard controls? Yes Surface General 1 2 3 4 5 Host Software MakerBot Desktop Slicer MakerBot Slicer Tolerance 1 2 3 4 5 OS Mac, Windows, Linux XY Resonance FAIL PASS Open Software? No Z Resonance FAIL PASS Open Hardware? No PRO TIPS Have piles of non-MakerBot PLA on standard spools? Use a lazy Susan for filament management. The software does not warn or prevent trying to print something larger than the Available at bit.ly/Replicator-5th build area of the system.

IT’S IMMEDIATELY OBVIOUS UPON UN- was near the bottom of the pack in our Fine WHY TO BUY PACKING THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Features testing. Testers also commented Ideal for someone who doesn’t want to that substantial engineering resources that the Surface Finish was a step down get under the hood but wants a net- went into this fifth-generation machine’s from the Replicator 2. worked, app-integrated machine with all consumer-focused hardware and software. the bells and whistles and is willing to pay It sports a large, bright, color LCD interface, NOISY (and keep paying) a premium for it. mobile or PC app-controlled LAN / wi-fi Within the first few minutes of using the printing, an internal print-watching camera new Replicator we noticed that it’s not a and a magnetically attached, sensor- quiet machine. As testers came over to packed Smart Extruder. The onboard LCD watch it in action, the first thing mentioned interface was by far the most complex of all was always the noise; the Z-axis move- systems we tested. While printing, you can ments sounded particularly pained. scroll through system status to see print progress, slicer settings used, a rendering RAZORS VERSUS BLADES of the finished piece, and even snap photos. Use of non-OEM filament on the 5th generation Replicator is aggressively discour- How'd it print? INTEGRATED 3DP ECOSYSTEM aged through the inclusion of an internally The MakerBot Desktop software is easy to mounted, unusually sized filament spool use and certainly the most comprehensive and will void the 6-month machine war- of all packages tested. In addition to allow- ranty. We voided ours with Ultimachine, ing the user to prepare and print files, it and it printed without issue. While we has extensive integration with Thingiverse didn’t experience problems with the Smart and MakerBot Digital Store. After login, Extruder, it’s worth noting that it’s not user- designs the user has “liked” on Thingiverse serviceable. When jams occur after the or models purchased from the Digital Store 90-day extruder warranty period expires, a are automatically populated in the software, $175 replacement must be purchased. allowing (almost) one-click printability. JOHN ABELLA is a maker of things, obsessive hobbyist, 3D CONCLUSION printing and CNC enthusiast. SURFACE FINISH NEEDS WORK Out of all the machines tested, the fifth- Maker Faire New York 3D Printer The new Replicator’s print quality was at generation Replicator is the closest to a Village wrangler and lead instructor at BotBuider.net. John the higher end, especially on the Over- networked appliance. We just wish there has written for all three Make: 3D

hangs, Tolerance, and Backlash. However, it was more for the maker in this ‘bot. printer guides. Brian Kaldorf

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M42_054_BG-Rep_F1.indd 54 10/16/14 12:40 PM Special Section Buyer’s Guide | Fused Filament Delta Printers | DeltaMaker

PRINT SCORES WRITTEN BY ANNA KAZIUNAS FRANCE SimplifyDELTAMAKER your workflow with this minimalistic deltabot Accuracy 1 2 3 4 5 Backlash 1 2 3 4 5 Bridging 1 2 3 4 5 | DeltaMaker DeltaMaker.com Overhangs 1 2 3 4 5 Price as Tested $2,399 Fine Features 1 2 3 4 5 Build Volume 260mm Z, 240mm wide Surface Curved 1 2 3 4 5 hexagonal platform Surface General 1 2 3 4 5 Bed Style Unheated acrylic Temperature Control? Yes Tolerance 1 2 3 4 5 Materials PLA XY Resonance FAIL PASS Print Untethered? Preconfigured Z Resonance FAIL PASS OctoPrint Onboard Controls? No PRO TIPS Host Software OctoPrint Although currently without a heated- Slicer CuraEngine bed option, the Azteeg X3 controller used OS Mac, Windows, Linux makes future upgrades possible. Open Software? Third-party software The Marlin firmware is slicer agnostic Open Hardware? No and both KISSslicer and Slic3r are viable options, but just use Cura. For more complex slicing needs, switch to the desktop Brian Kaldorf version and upload your G-code via the EVERYTHING ABOUT THE DELTAMAKER settings. The result is that their spartan browser. EXPERIENCE IS MINIMALISTIC AND approach makes the machine layer almost SEAMLESS. With a Raspberry Pi tucked invisible, allowing OctoPrint to take center WHY TO BUY out of sight inside the base of its sleek stage. Like any advanced digital fabrica- This delta robot-style machine looks silver frame, this wirelessly OctoPrint- tion tool – the hardware just works – and and operates very differently than the controlled ‘bot arrives completely as- user energy is spent in software tweaking boxy, Cartesian printers. It has a tall Z sembled with onboard CuraEngine slicing. parameters, not mechanical fussing. build area and ships with preconfigured While not a new OctoPrint feature, this is OctoPrint with wi-fi enabled CuraEngine the first commercial machine I’ve seen DOCUMENTATION DEFICIENCY, slicing out of the box. with it enabled (Type A ships without XY VIBRATION onboard slicing). I’m flabbergasted that One area where DeltaMaker’s minimalist other vendors haven’t adopted it. approach breaks down is the complete lack of readily available, online documentation. STREAMLINED SETUP This austerity stands out in sharp contrast How’d it print? Setup consists of removing the machine to the other machines tested. A second from the securely packed box, placing the detraction is that the hollow-ball connector removable, magnetically attached acrylic rod ends that join the arms to the extruder- build plate on the frame, and plugging it in. mounted effector platform seem to rattle Skim the setup guide for the OctoPrint log- a bit. It’s not particularly loud, especially in info, autolevel, load filament, and start when compared to Cartesian printers, but it printing from the browser of any device. appears to have produced resonance in the XY plane, failing our XY Resonance test. PROPERLY PRECONFIGURED ONBOARD SLICING CONCLUSION The built-in slicing configuration is conser- While the DeltaMaker had miserable vatively configured to ensure success. It’s ratings for Retraction and Overhang, it ANNA KAZIUNAS FRANCE is Make: magazine’s Digital Fabrication super easy and works quite well, as long earned top scores for Accuracy, Bridging, Editor. She’s also Dean of the as the model has been properly oriented Backlash, Tolerance, and Z mechanical. global Fab Academy program, before uploading. It’s refreshing that, It also produced a nicely surfaced, com- co-author of Getting Started with MakerBot, compiled Make: 3D unlike many other vendors utilizing free pletely articulated robot, tying with the Printing and has organized and software toolchains, DeltaMaker took the Zortrax for the fourth highest overall print- directed the 3D Printer Shootout for the past two time to properly preconfigure their slicing quality score. years. kaziunas.com

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M42_058_BGdelta_F1.indd 58 10/20/14 5:44 PM Special Section Buyer’s Guide | Tinkerer Filament Printers | Ultimaker Original+

PRINT SCORES ULTIMAKER ORIGINAL+ Accuracy 1 2 3 4 5 Same great kit, now with a heated glass bed Backlash 1 2 3 4 5 WRITTEN BY YVES SINNER & NICK PARKS Bridging 1 2 3 4 5 Overhangs 1 2 3 4 5 Fine Features 1 2 3 4 5 Surface Curved 1 2 3 4 5 Ultimaker Original+ | ultimaker.com Surface General 1 2 3 4 5 Price as Tested $1,600 (kit) Tolerance 1 2 3 4 5 Build Volume 210×210×205mm XY Resonance FAIL PASS Bed Style Heated glass Z Resonance FAIL Pass Temperature Control? Yes Materials PLA, ABS (others encouraged) PRO TIPS Print Untethered? SD card, OctoPrint Regularly retighten nuts on the sliding compatible blocks and the extruder, they tend to Onboard Controls? Yes loosen. Host Software Cura Slicer CuraEngine WHY TO BUY OS Mac, Windows, Linux Continually upgradable, extremely fast Open Software? Cura/CuraEngine: AGPLv3 and reliable printing, excellent hackability, Open Hardware? Auxiliary files: CC great surface finish, large build area, BY-NC 3.0 heated glass, low maintenance.

RELEASED JUST OVER THREE YEARS performed extremely well and reliable. AGO, THE ULTIMAKER ORIGINAL KIT One thing we did notice was that one of the JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER. The nuts was a little loose when we came in Original+ has a slew of enhancements the next morning. Experience using other that include a heated glass bed (upgrade Ultimaker Originals for the last two years kit available), an improved Z-axis, new has shown that it’s important to tighten all electronics, and Ulticontroller onboard of the nuts every three to six months. How’d it print? controls with SD card are now included. LET THERE BE LEDS? BUT THAT'S NOT ALL ... The only thing that this machine might be Another welcomed improvement is the missing is a lighted build platform. That is move to a 3-point bed leveling system, one of the many things that the Ultimaker which is much easier and quicker than 2 did extremely well, and it seemed to be a the previous 4-point bed adjustment big hit. I imagine that Ultimaker will even- system. Additionally, there have also been tually release a lighting kit or, perhaps, changes to the extruder. The polypropyl- Make: Projects will come up with a clever ene fan duct has been replaced with a tutorial on how to light up this machine. sturdy metal one and new plastic spacers YVES SINNER is a Luxembourg/ Europe-based blogger, 3D- and clips are used in the assembly of CONCLUSION printing enthusiast, innova- the hot end. Our test machine was fully This printer packs a huge value. It puts a tion expert, and start-up assembled (and a prototype, which may huge build volume, refined quality, reliabil- advisor. You can follow him and his brother Michel on have hurt XY, Z scores) but judging from ity, and incredible speeds into a continually 3Dprintingforbeginners.com. our personal kit build experiences, this upgradable, well-supported machine. It NICK PARKS is an engineering redesigned extruder will be significantly may not be as sleek as the Ultimaker 2, but intern at Make: Labs and is study- easier to build. at nearly half the price ($1,600) it’s a great ing mechanical engineering at bargain. With its low maintenance and high Santa Rosa Junior College. PERIODIC MAINTENANCE performance, this hackable machine is The overnight prints on this machine great for any maker. Brian Kaldorf

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M42_060_BG_ult_F1.indd 60 10/18/14 6:28 PM Special Section Buyer’s Guide | Summary & Standouts THE STANDOUTS We’ve run all the tests and based on our experiences we can confidently say that these machines are all top performers. Each has things that make it great, but a few have some restrictions and limitations. Based on our team’s extensive 3DP experience, we know that the value of a machine is determined by a combination of price, quality, functionality, and cost of ownership. WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

BADGES BEST IN SHOOTOUT PRINT QUALITY ULTIMAKER 2 With the undisputed best scores in our print-quality tests (by a whopping 4 points), the Ultimaker 2 is the machine to beat. + Open-Source Software +Turnkey = Easy, fast out- + Software Agnostic of-the-box experience + Turnkey Portable = Compact, has handle, will travel Smart Design = Simplified, fresh take on hardware and/or software Open Source = Company has released their code, original file formats, and placed their designs under an open license for your hacking pleasure Software Agnostic = Slicer and control software choices available Bells & Whistles = Extra features that most machines don’t have

-Hidden Costs = Proprietary consumables Limitations = Limited software settings, no user temperature control, or intention- ally restrictive warranty regarding materials

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MOST MAKER MACHINE LULZBOT TAZ 4 THIN WALLET WIN Everything a maker wants. Open-source PRINTRBOT SIMPLE METAL underpinnings, big heated-glass build At $599, the Printrbot Simple Metal volume, high-temperature and multi- is affordable, auto-leveling, AND material capable with the custom THE STANDOUTS Flexystruder. Plus, the excellent print tied for second for print quality. quality and the detailed documentation + Software Agnostic needed to level up. + Bells & Whistles + Software Agnostic + Portable + Open-Source Hardware

HAPPY MEDIUMS FEATURE PACKED Not quite top of the charts, but high-quality REPLICATOR 5TH GENERATION prints, a large build volume, and below-average MakerBot’s updated flagship machine is full price make these machines solid choices. of shiny new tech, but it comes with a hefty price tag, hidden costs, and warranty-voiding ZORTRAX materials limitations. + Turnkey + Bells & Whistles - Limitations + Turnkey

- Hidden Costs DITTO PRO - Limitations + Turnkey

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR SMART SOFTWARE BEETHEFIRST Something new! An easy-to-use, INTEGRATION attractive, portable machine with DELTAMAKER The seamless integration of Octo- stripped-down, custom open-source Print with preconfigured onboard software that uses smart hardware Cura slicing is the first we’ve seen design (instead of sensors) to make in a commercial machine out of the bed leveling easy. box, and something we’d like to see + Smart Design: Hardware other vendors adopt and attribute. + Open-Source Software + Software Agnostic + Portable + Turnkey + Turnkey + Smart Design: Software Workflow - Limitations & Integration - Hidden Costs

RELIABLE PERFORMER AFINIA A solid bet for the third year running. It’s small build area and software and MOST UPGRADABLE materials limitations mean that it’s ULTIMAKER ORIGINAL+ With continual support and available not for everyone, but it’s ease of upgrades from Ultimaker, this beloved use and continual upgrades make classic just keeps getting better. it shine. + Open-Source (Custom) Software + Bells & Whistles + Software Agnostic + Turnkey - Hidden costs - Limitations

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