RepRapPro has just made their newest RepRap 3D printer kit, the Ormerod 2, available for purchase. You can get the complete easy to assemble kit for $735 or just the hardware for $622.
Named for the entomologist Eleanor Ormerod, the original Ormerod is a well-regarded 3D printer that boasted impressive specs when it debuted late last year. Not only was it a solid 3D printer with respectable detail and build speed, but it was reportedly very easy to assemble, taking only about two hours to complete when many other RepRap kits could take twice as long for even experienced makers.
The Ormerod 2 maintains the basic design, look, and ease of assembly of the previous model, however they have created new detailed assembly instructions, and even managed to drop the price a little bit. Some minor changes to the design were done to make using the printer easier, including improving access to the new locked drive stack extruder to make cleaning easier and the Y motor has been aligned with the other two axes so it is easier to zero.
Additionally they’ve replaced the Y carriage belt location and used 3D printed parts rather than laser-cut parts, which allows for greater control of the belt tension. The heated bed now has three-point support, and the infrared Z/bed probe will take more accurate readings so it’s easier to level the bed.
The wiring looms were simplified so assembly would be faster and still require no soldering. They reduced the number of wires coming out of the machine by integrating the power supply inside of the printer. And it is all run with an even simpler web interface with new software that is backwards compatible with the Ormerod 1.
RepRapPro plans to have an Ormerod 2 running and on display at the TCT Show in Birmingham next week, where they will be taking orders. So if you’re in the area and interested in the new printer you can go see it in action. They also state that Ormerod 2 kits should ship within 1 working day from being ordered so there shouldn’t be any long fulfillment delays.
You DO NOT want to mess with that crap. Trust me.
Mr Bowyer should issue a refund to all 120 backers of the 2012 Indiegogo campaign for the first “reprap pro” faulty hardware & electronics.
Really? I’ve only heard good things about the Ormerod, but I have not used one myself. What problems did you have with it?
If Asher says it’s crap, it’s crap!
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Why on Earth would one spend $735 for this bot when for $600 you can buy a PrintrBot Metal Simple… Already assembled and with auto leveling… ???
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Why is this news worthy?
So i’m looking into buying the Ormerod 2 and am having a tough time finding either positive or negative feedback other than unbacked negativity here. Who is “Asher” and what sources are there to say this 3D printer isn’t any good? Seems at times that random negative comments may be just a way to trash a good printer? I don’t know, but if someone can provide some real solid evidence via video, sample prints or detailed article on why it’s good OR not good that would help than just having a random comment saying it’s no good.
It would be interesting to see detailed, unbiased comparisons between the budget Solid Freeform Fabrication machines. Side by side comparisons using well-built/calibrated machines on performance indicators such as build speed, minimum wall thickness, range of materials, accuracy, final physical properties and repeatability. This would be costly for personal consumers to achieve (both in owning multiple machines and the use of test equipment) and in addition person consumers often have a loyalty to their favoured brand making unbiased comparisons very difficult.
As for why someone may want an Ormerod 2 over the suggested Fused Filament Fabrication machine? Just from a quick check the build volume of the Ormerod is 237% that of the other and it has a heated bed. These figures are not really the most important though. Both machines have highlights over the other. Machine owners aren’t out to achieve the same thing. For some the building of the printer is the main hobby and the built parts a convenient side. Some just want to build parts. Others are a balance of the two.
Besides, I feel people are not granting due emphasis the point and open source ideals of the RepRap project as a whole. There are a community of owners who build their machines, make improvements, and document their work and share with the community for the benefit of others within the community. If people have spotted issues they could join in and help fix them. The Ormerod 2 is merely a snapshot in the progression of the RepRap machines.
As for comparisons Makerwise (http://www.makerwise.com/) is starting to build up quite a formidable collection of stats on these machines, but these are the sales data sheet values from what I can see rather than independent tests.