So our office has a 3D Systems/ZMachines Projet 450 that has been used a ton since ~2012. It’s had nearly every part replaced many times and been run for 1000+ hours. We recently lost our service contract due to 3D Systems shenanigans, and basically decided to just keep using it until the mechanical/part problems grew to overwhelm its ability to print.
That’s where we are now. The printer Turns on and mechanically functions, but has a number of small to medium hardware/software issues, and can’t really output.
Anyone think this machine is worth trying to sell as it is? Is there any market for 450s, even perfectly functional ones?
How can it have software issues ? In terms of hardware issues, what parts have you replaced specifically. I use a Z450 without contract and maintain it pretty well I think. I have only had to change the pogo board once in years of service.
I suppose maybe firmware would be a better word than software in our case. Among other things, the machine’s date/time keeps resetting every time it’s turned off, sometimes it would wake up in the middle of the night and log the SN of the printheads as changing back and forth 100x in a minute, the feeder’s available powder tracking keeps drifting off even after recalibration. That’s on top of constantly melting HP57s, even with new pogo cards.
The machine wasn’t well taken care of for the first 5 years of its life before I got here, and the service company we had never really seemed to understand how it worked anyway.
Sounds like the small lithium battery on the motherboard inside needs replacing. An easy fix if you know how to use a screw driver and ground yourself before touching any electronics.
There is a market for them used even in a non working condition. They are pretty easy to bring back to life (speaking from experience here).
Where are you located?
I appreciate the help in trying to fix the 450, but we are absolutely done with it.
It has been and will always be far from worth the enormous cost for our purposes. From my calculations, we’ve spent over $120,000 lifetime on that printer, and gotten nowhere near that value from it.
I’m just trying to figure out if anyone would buy it or if we should just junk it. I’ve been struggling to find any record of used ones being sold, especially not as used as ours is.
No bother.
I bought mine used a year or so ago. Paid around £800 for it used and it wasn’t in a working condition. Had to replace the pogo card and ribbon and it was golden.
Used they typically go for a grand or two working or otherwise.
I would throw it on eBay with a 99c start with collection only. Someone will take it off your hands
What country is the machine located. If you decide to scrap it, ill pay for shipping and packing for parts since I do have a 450 that I use without contract. A few spare parts would be nice to have.
hi
i need the electonic box for the Z450
thanks
