The Makerbot Class Action Suit

[bigseb]

Since the 5th generation of Makerbot 3D printers were released at CES in 2014, there has been an avalanche of complaints about the smart extruder in these printers. Clogs were common, and the recommended fix was to simply replace the extruder. The smart extruder is a $175 part, and the mean time before failure is somewhere between 200 and 500 hours. With these smart extruders, you’re looking at a new extruder every dozen prints or so. Combine this with Makerbot’s abdication of open source values, and it’s easy to see why no one in the know would buy a Makerbot.

The whole story

 

[MikeHenry]

Hmm - I almost bought one of those printers about 15 months ago and dodged a bullet apparently.

 

[bigseb]

Hmm - I almost bought one of those printers about 15 months ago and dodged a bullet apparently.

Yes you did :| Their 5th generation Replicator apparently is a good brick.

 

[MikeHenry]

Or a poor boat anchor :wink:

 

[bigseb]

Rather worryingly I see 3D Systems going down a similar path with their 3D printers. They are advertised as being simple to use with professional results while reviews show printers that are seriously lacking all round. This is puzzling as both Stratasys and 3D Systems have the cash to make an amazing printers :| :roll:

 

[MikeHenry]

Perhaps they are trying to protect their higher priced (and margined) printers.