I bought this as an entry level printer a few months ago and I will be the first to admit that it works hard. It''s really not the greatest quality but I don't need super duper for what I use it for. It does print just about every other day though.
3D printing has been a learning curve of some note and whilst the XYZ is an entry level machine, it really deserves better support than it's getting in my humble opinion.
My issue is the availability of Parts! You would think that to be able to buy a gear or a replacement belt would not be an issue, but in fact, I have found it to be very much an issue! So much so that I have even tried to source the bits I need from overseas - but as yet have not found a suitable supplier.
It is now at the point where parts are wearing out faster than Mustek (the distributors) can replace them - but you have to book the entire machine in with them for a few days in order to get anything done at all). When I want to print, generally it's because I NEED to print and at the time a part fails, the last thing I want to do is schlep the damned thing back to Mustek for a week at a time and fat labour bill when I am perfectly capable of replacing a stupid belt, or worn out worm screw or whatever myself.
Mustek don't seem to cotton onto the fact that I could care less about their precious warranty. My concern is what happens when the warranty runs out? At this rate it's going to be a case of buying a new printer since it doesn't seem as if you can buy so much as a screw for the thing from Mustek without the massive headache of trying to deal with them. Which means in the future, now given the latest missive received via email quoted below:
"Unfortunately Mustek can't sell directly to the public. Please refer to a registered Mustek re-seller for assistance.
Kind Regards,
Anlé Els
Product Manager:
Interactive Devices
XYZprinting
Dealer Relationship Manager | Mustek Limited
322 15th Street, Randjespark, Midrand, Gauteng
[email protected] | www.mustek.co.za "
that my poor unfortunate reseller is going to now be in a position unable to support a product they sold and having me move as fast as my little legs can carry me into the welcoming arms of MakerBot at four times the price.
It just seems a monumental waste of time to me. What am I missing here?
And if anyone can direct me to where I can buy a replacement filament feed mechanism for the XYZ I'd be eternally grateful.
For the record my wear and tear is as follows:
One belt after about 3 months - apparently I was the first to break a belt in SA. Whoo hoo! Makes me a winner?
The heated bed lost it's contact with the wires that heat it - this design is just bad in that these wires flex continually as the bed moves up and down - which means inevitably it's going to fail. I don't think I was a first for that.
Quite a few head jams - filament gets stuck in the nozzle - but those one can fix oneself relatively easily - three cables ties a pop is the only cost
And now the filament feeder gears appear to be worn - the left hand guide seems to be aluminium and given its working task it wears against the back end of it's support and ends up wobbling - and then you're finished. The printer cannot force the filament through no matter what you do (I tried to machine a washer to help stabilise it but it's shot).
The printer must be five months old now? I had such a fight with them over it they voided my warranty - so unless I hear otherwise from any other fellow users I either cut my losses and chuck the printer and buy a MakerBot or I suck it up and take it back to Mustek for yet another running repair that honestly I could do myself but can't because Mustek won't give me access to the parts.
Open to suggestions. Perhaps I buy a second printer and just have one permanently in repair at Mustek? Heh heh - the thought had crossed my mind I must be honest...
3D printing has been a learning curve of some note and whilst the XYZ is an entry level machine, it really deserves better support than it's getting in my humble opinion.
My issue is the availability of Parts! You would think that to be able to buy a gear or a replacement belt would not be an issue, but in fact, I have found it to be very much an issue! So much so that I have even tried to source the bits I need from overseas - but as yet have not found a suitable supplier.
It is now at the point where parts are wearing out faster than Mustek (the distributors) can replace them - but you have to book the entire machine in with them for a few days in order to get anything done at all). When I want to print, generally it's because I NEED to print and at the time a part fails, the last thing I want to do is schlep the damned thing back to Mustek for a week at a time and fat labour bill when I am perfectly capable of replacing a stupid belt, or worn out worm screw or whatever myself.
Mustek don't seem to cotton onto the fact that I could care less about their precious warranty. My concern is what happens when the warranty runs out? At this rate it's going to be a case of buying a new printer since it doesn't seem as if you can buy so much as a screw for the thing from Mustek without the massive headache of trying to deal with them. Which means in the future, now given the latest missive received via email quoted below:
"Unfortunately Mustek can't sell directly to the public. Please refer to a registered Mustek re-seller for assistance.
Kind Regards,
Anlé Els
Product Manager:
Interactive Devices
XYZprinting
Dealer Relationship Manager | Mustek Limited
322 15th Street, Randjespark, Midrand, Gauteng
[email protected] | www.mustek.co.za "
that my poor unfortunate reseller is going to now be in a position unable to support a product they sold and having me move as fast as my little legs can carry me into the welcoming arms of MakerBot at four times the price.
It just seems a monumental waste of time to me. What am I missing here?
And if anyone can direct me to where I can buy a replacement filament feed mechanism for the XYZ I'd be eternally grateful.
For the record my wear and tear is as follows:
One belt after about 3 months - apparently I was the first to break a belt in SA. Whoo hoo! Makes me a winner?
The heated bed lost it's contact with the wires that heat it - this design is just bad in that these wires flex continually as the bed moves up and down - which means inevitably it's going to fail. I don't think I was a first for that.
Quite a few head jams - filament gets stuck in the nozzle - but those one can fix oneself relatively easily - three cables ties a pop is the only cost
And now the filament feeder gears appear to be worn - the left hand guide seems to be aluminium and given its working task it wears against the back end of it's support and ends up wobbling - and then you're finished. The printer cannot force the filament through no matter what you do (I tried to machine a washer to help stabilise it but it's shot).
The printer must be five months old now? I had such a fight with them over it they voided my warranty - so unless I hear otherwise from any other fellow users I either cut my losses and chuck the printer and buy a MakerBot or I suck it up and take it back to Mustek for yet another running repair that honestly I could do myself but can't because Mustek won't give me access to the parts.
Open to suggestions. Perhaps I buy a second printer and just have one permanently in repair at Mustek? Heh heh - the thought had crossed my mind I must be honest...