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.”
For the record, there are no HotEnd v3 and v4. There are v1 for regular Z-ABS, Z-HIPS and Z-Ultrat. HotEnd v2 for Z-Glass, Z-PETG and Z-PCABS, plus everything what v1 is capable. In addition ZSuite is not defining HotEnd, but it is allowing to chose material during build.To be clear v1 is still good with v4 ZSuite as long as you chose proper filament.
Good day to you. I am a Zortrax owner/user. In fact I have (2) two M200’s. V1 - V4 are version numbers of the machine . My machines are both V4 units. As far as a recommendation goes “I love my machines”. I would waist my time on any other machine. But, that is me. You may have different needs, wants and desires. Please advise if I can be of more help. I am also a 3D Hubs member. I hope you have a great day and make the right decision in your purchase.
as already mentioned, zortrax is a very reliable plug n play machine. Very good quality. But only zortrax materials should be used. 3rd party abs may work. Nothing to set. Not even print temperature. Good choice if you want print results.
Ultimaker is open source and much more flexible. Can print various materials. Many settings. Some can be changed even while print is running. Good choice if you like to play with it. Quality can even be a little bit better than zortrax, but printing slower.
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!
