I am really interested in purchasing a 3D printer and have done research one some of the models. However, I came across an interesting feature of the RigidBot and that is the fact that it can have an adjustable build area. I’ve browsed other models to see if that was a solo case and it seems like it. I do like the RigidBot for this but the reviews on the parts make me skeptical of getting one. Is there a printer that has this that consists of better quality parts?
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MB3D
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Hi Joel, what is your cost limit and how much build volume do you want in the end? Should the printer be very precis, or be able to print with many materials? If you can give some more information, about the desired specifications of your printer, I could help you to find the best one for you. Cheers, Marius Breuer
Hello Joel, my teacher had a rigidbot in a robotics class I took. He was very happy with it, and he has used it to create a ton of prototypes. I do not have first hand experience with it, but my teacher had great experiences with it. One thing to be aware of: it does not print very high quality. So it depends if you want to make prototypes or high quality sculptures. The picture below is a quick print from my teacher’s rigidbot.
Cheers,
3D Printed Art.
What exactly do you mean by “Adjustable Build Area”? Tell you about MY printer we hope to start our Kickstarter soon. Most machines have 1-+ extruders for printing different colors on the same part. This does not increase the speed in which multiple parts can be made. We have used our machines on high production runs since I have up to 3 extruders printing 3 parts at one time. Base with 1 extruder has an 18 x 18 (X/Y) heated build area. Adding 2nd extruder makes it 2- 9 x 18 machines, adding 3rd makes it 3 - 6 x 18 machines.
Since my machine is all components it is very easy to make it any size someone would want. With changing the frame rails can make it any dimension without changing the overall design or function of the machine.
Here is one we have in use at a manufacturing facility, it is 18 x 18 x 18 build area.
I was hoping for something in the 2-1500 range. Nothing too expensive but something that has the area in looking for. The bigger the better I suppose.
As for the precision of the unit, I’m not to picky. I was planing on making large replicas and printing individual pieces so that they could effectively snap together. As for the material, as long as it’s going to be realitively durable (ei: can be handled and manipulated) I’m okay with it.
That’s kind of what I had in mind. That’s what drew me to the RigidBot was the idea of be able to replace the arms of the machine itself for longer ones to increase the build area. I’m new to the prospect of 3D printing and wasn’t sure if this concept of adjustable machines was unique to the RigidBot or was something other printer could do.
The website talks about the build area being adjustable, did your teacher experiment with that?
The RigidBot can print much better quality than that. I print daily at 100 microns. This looks like it just wasn’t printed well. Some settings need to be adjusted for sure.
Not to give too much away but soon the redesigned RigidBot 2.0 will come out, which at first will be 10x10x10, but then we will release an upgrade kit along with the RigidBot Big 2.0 to make the regular a big 12x16x10 and an XL upgrade that will make any 2.0 4 inches taller. So without any special work you could be up to 12x16x14. That’s pretty huge.
I have a Rigidbot and at first i was really, really happy with it but it takes A LOT of work to get perfect. I purchased all the upgrades except the bigger build and I still spent a solid month of adjusting and tweaking and spent more time working on problems than printing. I no longer have any problems thanks to the people at the Rigidbot community ( https://plus.google.com/communities/117996416225488251038 ). When you get it perfect it will print just as good as a MakerBot but as long as you are willing to spent the time. I am now able to print 100 microns, 10inch tall with a 1/2 base.
