Tareq, we are using M200 Zortrax 24/7 literally as we are running our productions on them. V4 is the latest Zsuite Application (not hardware as someone wrote). It is application translating .stl file into specific Zortrax Z-Code (think as the Gcode) to slice and place model on the bed. V4 is the latest version and have some very good features like PAUSE (you can pause print at the specific layer to change filament color (we tried it, works great), calculating print cost of the model (available since previous release), new materials (PCABS) and few improvements to speed up print generation. If you are buying printer and there is no v4 with it, no worries, using printer serial # you can logon at ZORTRAX web site and download for free latest version. Remember to download and update microcode too.
There are different versions of the printer, though subtle it may be. Thats why you have to pick the version you have when you use Zsuite.
From a Zortrax user:
“The V1 and V3 have ball screw on the Z, the V2 have lead screw on the Z. I have both versions, and at the beginning was a problem with dimensional tolerance with lead screw, they solved it in the software so that’s why you need to choose HW version in the ZSuite.”
I thought at some point they had wifi in version x. I know they also improved the platform between certain versions. I have the latest version 4. It’s the best printer I had by far. I had a RepRap and Form 1+. The Zortrax has been printing for over 20 hours now without a single problem.
Hey, congrats on the printer, your going to love it.
As for Z-temp I’ll say this. I own two M200’s, one has the Z-temp. I’ve had the printers for over a year and I waited till my first ones warranty ran out. My main reason for the year though was just to get experience and learn the machine. I’m not sure if this is your first 3D printer but if it is I would certainly wait a little before worrying about Z-Temp.
It seems like a great tool but really you will be able to print anything you need really with the regular machine. Only thing I wish I had was the option for ninja fled but z temp can’t even do that.
Ill ll also add I’ve not had very good luck with the z temp. I’ve only tried using it a few times and the material I’ve tried isn’t very highly recommended so it’s not a great example. I’ve spent probably more time taking the hot end off and cleaning it then I have printing.
Your suggestion to gain some familiarity with the printer before venturing into third-party materials is a sound one that I agree with.
As for “being able to print anything you need” without a Z-Temp, I would respectfully disagree - you cannot print any of the myriad and wonderful PLA, nylon, or tree-lignin based materials out there. Warping is an issue with all of the Zortrax materials, and pretty much a non-issue with the others. I’d owned my first M200 for a year before developing Z-Temp (yes, I’m the developer) and printed a boatload of ABS and UltraT with it - now I almost never use it because PLA prints so beautifully warp-free.
As you note, not all PLAs work well, but more and more compatible ones are appearing on the market all the time. There’s a complete guide to what works and what doesn’t at http://www.z-temp.co/materials-guide.html 4.
Regarding nozzle clogs, it’s simply a matter of being sure to run a few feet of material through the nozzle at full temperature whenever changing to a lower-temp material. I haven’t had a clog in many months.
As to Z-Temp “not even being able” to support NinjaFlex, that’s nothing to do with Z-Temp - the design of the M200’s feed system, with the feed gear several long inches from the nozzle, precludes its working with rubber-like materials. You can’t push a wet noodle! Taulman PCTPE, however, works great and while not really rubber-like, can provide flex for many applications.
I have to disagree to an extent on your results. Have you printed with the v2 nozzle and plate? I am able to get full build size prints with zero warping. (ABS and UltraT)
Also a little bit of slurry does help with that. I will get a few warped parts but that usually due to the middle being .02 off from the rest of the build platform. This means that the build plate needs taken apart and cleaned then back to printing.
I can confirm that the Zortrax M200 has an enormously high print quality and we printed even defect-free parts which the printout lasted over two days.
We can be excited about what brings the new Zortrax Inventure 2 with its monitored material consumption!
