This topic contains 16 replies, has 7 voices, and was last updated by 
Simon 5 months, 2 weeks ago.
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Before I go any further can I just say that I am totally satisfied with my Robox, it does exactly what it says on the box (I have just bought another Robox to prove the point 🙂 ).
Unfortunately though sometimes the Robox just doesn’t suffice for some print jobs because of size restrictions on prints achievable. For this reason I am looking to buy another printer and have been directed towards the ‘Prusa i3 Plus’. I was wondering if any members here had experience with this printer. Obviously quality of print, reliability, etc. are my main concerns, or whether you advise another make.
My main requirements are:
- Larger print bed
- Larger print height
- Reliable heated bed (something that I think is a ‘must have’ to reduce warpage in prints)
- Good backup service (Cel support are the example of what I would hope for in others)
- Use of wide range of filaments (not restricted to only using branded filaments) and types of filaments
- At least 50 micron layering achievable
- Speed - preferably faster prints than Robox (I have been following the thread about increasing speed of the Robox here on the forums and look forward to reducing Robox print times)
The 8 inch cube print volume of the Prusa does appeal to me as some of designs would be better printed as a whole single piece rather than slicing them into smaller parts to be adhered together afterwards.
Any helpful advice would be much appreciated, thank you. 🙂
- This topic was modified 6 months, 2 weeks ago by Bill Roy.
this does the trick for me on bigger prints 🙂
java (EE), JavaFX, HTML, GIS) programmer, database wizard, framework inventor, looking for a job ! http://roboxing.com/wizards
@pelgrim acetone?
What type of filaments do you really need to print? The bigger you get the more important an enclosure is to prevent warping in many materials.
Whats your budget? You can get a Wanhao i3 for about £300. Thats probably as good or better than the Prusa i3 plus.
What country are you in? Some printers are better supported in different countries.
Heated beds in most printers are pants compared to the Robox and really struggle to get up to 100deg even then its slooooow.
Meaby it was too cryptic: Cyanoacrylate
java (EE), JavaFX, HTML, GIS) programmer, database wizard, framework inventor, looking for a job ! http://roboxing.com/wizards
Have a look at the Cubicon Single
Looks like great value to me when compared to say an Ultimaker2. Not much more than an UpBox either amd seems a lot better
http://www.imakr.com/en/3d-printers/343-cubicon-single.html
Obviously a lot mote expensive than a Prusa though, but when you want to print big parts reliably i think the extras are worth paying for.
Fast responses (Pelgrim & Hagster) - thank you. 🙂
I am in the UK.
Unfortunately some models are not best suited (for retail) as multi-part items as far as customers are concerned, here things like large gnarly trees that I personally print off as two or more parts for height are better as a single piece. Also in 1/56th scale (otherwise known as 28mm) bases for vignettes are best as one-piece items. Most buildings, equipment, etc, are easily split into multiple prints, but even this is not universal.
I generally use PLA, ABS, and HIPS (I will most probably concentrate on ABS as in my experience it seems to warp less than PLA), however, when selling my designs rather than models I have to take into account what machines and filament others will be printing out in as well.
The heated bed is a problem I have read about with other printers (I have also had problems with the Robox and trying to work out the best settings for that, but this is minor compared to other printers apparently).
I have looked at the Winhao and although first pleased with the price I am a little skeptical about the actual quality of print.
I guess my budget will be up to about £1k (the same as a Robox), and although I don’t expect to get anywhere near the overall quality of the Robox I am looking at consistency of print as a major need. (I can always use acetone of ehtyl acetate in a fume chamber and fill any minor holes with dissolved filament as long as these are not too great in number or size.)
Really appreciate the fast and considered responses. A great thing about this forum to say the least. 🙂
Just looked at that Cubicon, a little on the pricy side but definitely could be a contender I think. (I have added it to the list. 🙂 )
- This reply was modified 6 months, 2 weeks ago by Bill Roy.
Add the BigBox to your list. Less than £1k and its huge, has auto leveling and will print almost any material. They are mucy more rubust than a Prusa clone and its much easier to put doors onto this style of machine if you need to. Its made in conjuction with the E3D team. E3D make some of the most highly regarded hot ends in the industry.
http://bigbox-3d.comHow about the BQ Hephestos 2? Somewhere around £700, with a print footprint of ~ 297mm x 210mm x 200mm. Spec-wise it appears pretty solid, with the puzzling exception of NO heated bed. Otherwise, it seems to be pretty solid, and apparently handles flexible filament very well.
My next purchase (after the photo centric Daylight SLA - arriving this week 🙂 ) is going to be the Rif Raf x400 pro. Print area of 400 x 400 x 380 mm, costs is a bit steep at 6k but we are starting to need something much bigger than the Robox. once the new workshop is built in the spring we’ll have to get one. Will probably get a second Robox too to keep up with demand.
@muttleysdad Do you have a link for that machine? I cant seem to find it with Google.
I have been VERY happy with my Robo 3D.
Terry Taylor
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