So I started building this thing in November and I got about half way done and started running into some issues with the printer that left me... lets say "disappointed" with some of the design choices. so I started to re-design a few minor things here and there to improve on the design which slowed the build way down. I took a break since I was super busy with family stuff from thanksgiving through new years.
i started back up again today and go to the point where I'm done most of the mechanical build and have started into the electronics.
Lets just say I whole-heartedly DO NOT recommend buying this printer.
The electronics are unbelievably sketchy. it's all done with "off-the-shelf" generic components from China. It's clear that whoever designed this thing really doesn't know much about electronics beyond what needs to plug into where. EVERY connector on this thing is either a screw terminal or an unkeyed dupont connector/header.
I just stepped away from the build for today when I started looking at the heated bed setup. it's literally just a big silicone diaphragm that you plug into the wall, no computer control what-so-ever, it's got a giant knob under the bed to adjust the temperature... so no PID tuning, no electronic tracking of temps, no auto-shut-off once your print is done, and no thermal run away protection. it doesn't even have a power switch, so if by some miracle you get it adjusted properly the only way to turn it off is to turn the knob all the way down and lose your adjustment... or unplug it from the wall.
I expected an AC powered heated bed, a bed this size that's kind of the only way to do it, but it should have a digitally controlled thermostat or at minimum a relay that's controlled by the computer.
For the $2300 price tag I'm very disappointed, I would expect these short-cuts from a cut-rate printer in the $800-$1200 range (given the size).
It will probably be a few months before this thing is fully operational because at this point there's no good way to get my money back, so I'll likely be redoing all of the electronics from scratch.
