jayceekeys
Hey guys,
I thought I would let everyone know .... after many hours struggling to print the EZ bits with my RepRap printer, I decided to buy an amazing new printer to get the awesome prints that my new bots deserve!
I reasearched every printer I could possibly think of - the new MBI 5th generation printers, the Ultimaker 2, the Replicator 2 etc and eventually stumbled across a company that have been getting the most phenomenal reviews for print quality.
The company is called Zortrax and they were a Kickstarter team from Poland. I started posting on their forum and told them that I had been having trouble printing robot parts. I posted a couple of EZ parts and asked whether the owners theought they would be better with Zortrax M200 printer. To my amazement, their support team went and checked out the STLs and said that the printer would do a great job - but then told me that they had loaded the files (all of 3 of them - including JD's face) and were printing them to demo exactly how they would turn out. Try getting Makerbot to do that !
You have to go an check out the photo's they posted of the results - they look TOTALLY INCREDIBLE !
I thought that they really deserved a mention on here in case anyone else was looking for a new printer. From the owners themselves that I have chatted with, they are all confirming that the printer does what the development team originally promised - that the printer is capable of making dimensionally accurate parts time after time, without having to tweak millions of variables. Several have MBI Replicator 2 printers too and have said that the M200 wipes the floor with them so it must be good. Even Dell have purchsed 5000 of them for their own use (despite selling MBI printers to everyone else) so it shows what they think!
Anyway, here's the link:
The EZ Prints !
BTW - I promise I have nothing to do with the company (well you will see that from my posts if you read them on there.
I was just so impressed - it's rare to find a company (other than DJ and his team) that deliver such perfect customer service so I felt they earned a mention to you guys too. Most people just complain and never say when they have a good experience with a company so I wanted to change that.
I just have to wait a couple of weeks for the delivery !
YAY !
Jay
For others, different printers will be the right choice, but for me I really liked the printer and quality - plus they gave incredible service - which as all of you appreciate counts for so much. By the way, I linked to the EZ site on their forum so everyone could see where the parts they printed are from and I hope they will love EZ too! Maybe we will find a few new robot builders amongst them!
Cheers,
Jay
Cheers
Jay
Dell purchased 5000 units.
Look forward to hearing, how it is, after un-boxing, and have had some time with your new addition to your family.
J
Edit: Thanks for sharing the link to the Zortrax Forum and your postings! You had a lot of very good questions and well written!
Thanks
I'm not sure what the shipping time is for Poland to the U.S.
From what they have said they have two shipping options (in fact two online stores). One is for international orders - these are shipped direct from the manufacturing facility in China - a bit like EZ will do I believe. The other shop is for European customers - these are bulk imported from China to Poland - where they pay the import taxes and customs duties then they ship to e.g. UK. The next "huge" batch they have coming to Poland is next Friday so they have said they will deliver within a few days of that - I'm figuring on week after next.
There isn't really a saving for me buying from the EU store as a big import tax is already applied, but it's quick as they have a big load of stock arriving soon. I'm not sure how much import tax you would be subject to in the U.S. ?
If you message them I'm sure they will be able to confirm leads times etc
Take care and have fun!
Jay
Sounds like a handy location being so close to them
To be honest I think every machine will have its fans and every person should buy what's right for them - especially when some machines cost way more than others. My first machine was a reprap that I built - it was all I could afford and justify at the time. There was no way I would buy something like the Zortrax without first learning a bit about whether it was for me. The reprap was great and in fairness it wasn't the printer that really failed me - more like me failing the printer ! It just was a machine that took more time tinkering than printing. But it helped me realise how incredible these machines are !
The good news is that I am getting a ton of messages from other people on their forum about the EZ kit so it looks like both companies may end up having some shared customers
Like lots of you have said the proof of the pudding is in the eating !
Can't wait to try it out. !
Cheers,
Jay
I've been looking at 3DP's and want to purchase one to start printing EZ-bits, and have read some of your previous mails
on the subject, which you haven't had much success.
Looking to purchase one in the near future, and will be VERY interested on how you get on in printing out the EZ-bits.
I'm also based in the UK.
Cheers,
Chris.
How soon are you looking to get a 3DP? If it's not immediate, then perhaps have a look at the 5th Gen MB when it comes out - although it is a lot of money. When I get my printer through I would be happy to print a couple of sample EZ bits and send them to you so you can have a look at the quality close up. Alternatively if you're in need of anything short term before you buy then drop me a PM and I will try and help out if I can.
There are a lot of guys with lots of experience on here as you know and I'm sure they will give you good advise in your decisions.
All the best,
Jay
I've only just started looking, so in no hurry to purchase one, although the MB 5th gen, may be a bit to much money for my budget.
I'm looking to build the Hexapod six, and purchase the EZ-B v4 WiFi Robot Controller separately and create the EZ-bit myself,
as I've built quite a lot of Hexapods in the past.
Just noticed the complete 'Hexapod six kit' has gone up by about $100, a 28% increase!
I want to use the Tower Pro MG996 heavy duty servos if they fit, sent a separate inquiry on that one.
I would be interested in seeing a couple of sample EZ bits, when you get your printer if possible.
Cheers,
Chris.
You're right - They do sell their own brand of filament but to be honest I don't mind paying more if I know it is to an exacting spec that is proven to work. I've lost count of the number of reels of filament I have bought only to find it doesn't stick or is poor quality. However, I know that there are owners that have said they are printing with third party filament with great success. They have said they are adding more options in the coming software releases to allow alternative materials too. I ordered 8kg of filament at the current price though which should see me ok for a very long while lol.
Cheers
J
Any update on your purchase of the Zortrax printer?
Cheers,
Chris.