Shapeways site

[Chris333]

So it looks like they changed the site around in the last week. It barely works on Chrome. I used Firefox and it is just slightly better.

I still cannot find 3D tools or any way to select print orientation.

And what is "professional plastic" ?

[Chris333]

I found it.

Filled my cart and went to check out. Can go into production in 7 days for an extra $21.03. For free it will go into production 2 weeks after that. Then 3 days (if I'm lucky) for shipping.

I could be a month before I get my stuff...

[Lemosteam]

I found it.

Filled my cart and went to check out. Can go into production in 7 days for an extra $21.03. For free it will go into production 2 weeks after that. Then 3 days (if I'm lucky) for shipping.

I could be a month before I get my stuff...

Yup, provided nothing is wrong with your prints either.  I have had issues lately with uncured prints with resin fluid oozing out of parts that printed successfully many times.

[Mark W]

Supposedly they had a huge rush of orders as everyone tries to get final prints before new pricing, so that's why production times are extended. 

Between the new pricing and terrible new site design, I decided to finally just buy my own printer. 

[C855B]

... Between the new pricing and terrible new site design, I decided to finally just buy my own printer.

What are you getting? I'm moving toward that direction, too, but for what I want to do the end-user affordable hi-res resin machines like the Form 2 are just a bit too small. I could use maybe one or two inches larger in each axis.

[Chris333]

Supposedly they had a huge rush of orders as everyone tries to get final prints before new pricing, so that's why production times are extended. 

So to get around the pricing increase you just have to pay more. 

[reinhardtjh]

What are you getting? I'm moving toward that direction, too, but for what I want to do the end-user affordable hi-res resin machines like the Form 2 are just a bit too small. I could use maybe one or two inches larger in each axis.

If you find something, be sure to post it.  I'd be interested, too.

[Mark W]

I'm pretty set on the Anycubic Photon.  Most of my 3D printing is for my own desire, so I don't need size or speed.  So if the Form2 is too small, the Photon is definitely out of the question. 

[Chris333]

Read on another forum that Shapeways has been losing around 20-40% per print and that they raised $100 million to get started and now they need to find a way to make it all work.

https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/shapeways#section-overview

I still haven't seen any increase in my stuff... yet.

But I have been trying to read up on the Anycubic Photon printer. It is on Aliexpress for about $435 and ebay for $440. I figure that is like 8 or 9 Shapeways orders money wise. I can have my parts the next day or in just a few hours.

Does anyone here have this printer? I've read mixed things about it on Facebook. One positive is that if part break within a year they will replace them for free, but they come from China.

[Lemosteam]

Just think Hi Def Acrylate.

Yes some folks are getting some decent prints but you will have to deal with the SLA support trees and design for one bad side, no matter what.

[Mark W]

Does anyone here have this printer?

Mine arrives this weekend.  I plan to start an experience thread as I learn how it goes for anyone interested in following along.

All the reviews I've seen have been positive, with the only drawback being the print bed size.

Just think Hi Def Acrylate.

Yes some folks are getting some decent prints but you will have to deal with the SLA support trees and design for one bad side, no matter what.

I've been studying and re-modeling past designs to add support trees, it's no easy task for sure, but not terribly difficult once you get the hang of it.  What do you mean by "Design for one bad side?".

[rodsup9000]

  Mark,

 I'm very interested in what you think of your new printer. I was going to order one this week, but now I'll wait to see your review.
 
 As far as adding support, the slicing software does that for you. You just have configure it, small, medium, or large.

 

[Chris333]

I downloaded the slicing software and it works. Theoretically if I had the printer all I would do is take the sliced file and put it on a USB drive, then plug it into the machine and go. The software also lets you pick the layer thickness and how long the light exposes for each layer.


There is a group on Facabook:  Anycubic Photon DLP Printer Owners.  Where people seem to have problems with them daily.

[Mark W]

I downloaded the slicing software and it works.

It works for very basic models, but my research and 'goal' model (the Dry Bulk Trailer) has proved their software to be quite poor.  It does not analyze parts for 'floaters', nor provide any tools for support tuning. 

I'm learning Netfabb while the printer is being shipped.  A bit more of a learning curve than Anycubic's software, but is loaded with analysis tools to help identify issues and turn them into successful prints. 

I'll have to check out the FB group.  One thing to keep in mind, the Photon makes Resin 3D printing very accessible, so surely there are a lot of people having trouble because they don't know what they're doing to begin with.  Our collective knowledge and experience here should provide much better results. 

[Chris333]

Yes I still need to sort through all the bad on Facebook.

As for price. Here it is for $418 plus $21 shipping:
https://www.3dprintersbay.com/anycubic-photon?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8dbu8taz3gIVwQJpCh0xLQq6EAkYASABEgLCRPD_BwE

And for me here the price came to $425:
 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/ANYCUBIC-PHOTON-3D-Printer-Touch-Screen-SLA-LCD-UV-Resin-Ultimate-Slice-Speed-Light-Cure-Impresora/32847136643.html   
Anycubic seems to have a direct relationship with Aliexpress.

For the life of me I have no idea why Amazon is so popular as their price is $519.


Lately everything I do at Shapeways involves flat parts to hide the support layering. I'd treat the supports with the Photon the same. And I can position the supports where I want them.